SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS

by Rev. David Johnson, Rileyville BC                                             Vol. XI, No. 8, September 1998

God blessed the SBCV summer youth and childrens’ camp at Hedgesville, West Virginia again this year. We had approximately 200 youth and children with 16 churches represented from across the State.

From July 6^th to July 11^th we had 120 teenagers in camp, and our theme for the week was "Keys for the Journey". From July 27^th to August 1^st we had 80 children and youth in camp, and the theme was "God's Word and Me". It is interesting to note, and we have seen this consistently over the years, that the Holy Spirit moved in a powerful way on Wednesday night - prayer meeting night, no coincidence we are sure!

Jeff Fairbanks, Youth Pastor from Wayne Barber's church at Chattanooga, took the young people into deep waters as he ministered from Colossians. Brother John Marks and "Pic" did an outstanding job on the Ten Commandments. What a joy it was to see God at work in young hearts and lives. There was a goodly number of young people who gave their hearts to Christ for the first time and a number of others who made a commitment to invest their lives in the things of God rather than just spending their lives to please themselves

As always, the highlight of camp is the camp fire, and in both camps it was a thrill to hear what God had done in the hearts and lives of young people. One testimony however, came at the end of camp and it was from a Mother. She told us that the previous year at camp her son had learned how to have a Quiet Time and had continued with this ever since.

We praise God for His goodness and faithfulness in blessing our camps again this year.