Home / News and Information / News - July 2006 / BPC hosts fifth annual Daniell Baptist Association Youth Camp

BPC hosts fifth annual Daniell Baptist Association Youth Camp

Taylor Hereford
BPC Director of Marketing

Christian music artists Jonathan and Lisa Moore lead teenagers in a time of praise and worship during one of the Worship Celebration times at the fifth annual Daniell Baptist Association Youth Camp held June 26-29 on Brewton-Parker College’s main campus in Mount Vernon. (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

Ninety student representatives from twelve area churches gathered on Brewton-Parker College’s main campus in Mount Vernon for the fifth annual Daniell Baptist Association (DBA) Youth Camp.

This year’s camp was entitled “JUMP,” which is based on Psalms 28:7. The camp was held June 26-29 and provided teenagers with a week of spiritual growth, fun, and fellowship.

During the week the teenagers were involved in a wide variety of activities, from daily Worship Celebrations held in Saliba Chapel to different “Break-Out Sessions” which were conducted at various locations throughout BPC’s campus.

Christian music artists Jonathan and Lisa Moore from Columbus have been a part of the DBA Youth Camp every year and once again served as praise and worship leaders during the Worship Celebration time. Rev. Clint Purvis, the college pastor at First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, served as this year’s camp pastor. Rev. Purvis has been the chaplain for the football and baseball teams at Florida State University for the past twenty years. In addition to the Worship Celebration time, students participated in five different “Break-Out Sessions,” each with its own unique title and subject.

“Got $?” – led by pastor Greg Riner of North Thompson Baptist Church – focused on how teenagers can be smarter financially. “JUMP,” which is an acronym for “Jesus Using My Purity,” included a session for boys and a session for girls. Led by John Braddy (boys) and Cindy Pilkinton (girls), “JUMP” challenged the teenagers to remain sexually pure until marriage.

“Squish!” was led by Dr. Christopher Jones, associate professor of Chemistry at BPC. Teenagers were able to see how God molds their lives into His likeness through the use of play-dough.

By using the theme of “instant messaging,” teenagers learned how they can improve their prayer life and thus grow closer in their relationship with God in a session titled “I M With God!” which was led by Cheila White.

The final session, “Busted,” was led by Mount Vernon Police Chief B.L. Horne. By reflecting on one of his own life experiences, Chief Horne was able to communicate to the teenagers that a person’s body is God’s temple and should be kept free from anything that might harm it. Chief Horne also serves as pastor of Stuckey Baptist Church.

Being able to present the message of the Gospel to teenagers each year in a way that is fresh and effective has been the goal of Debra Adams and Laura Hay, co-directors of the DBA Youth Camp. This particular goal is one which they are happy to strive towards every year.

“If we are able to help one student come to Christ as a result of this camp each year, all of the hard work and preparations are definitely worth it,” said Hay.

Five teenagers take part in an interpretive dance during one of the Worship Celebration times at the fifth annual Daniell Baptist Association Youth Camp held June 26-29 on Brewton-Parker College’s main campus in Mount Vernon. (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

It is that passion to see young people begin a personal relationship with God and for others to grow in their Christian walk that motivated Adams and Hay to begin the DBA Youth Camp five years ago.

“The Association has always had a camp in Adrian for rising third through ninth graders,” said Hay. “Some of our local churches within the Association don’t have full-time youth pastors on staff. So when some of these kids finish the Adrian camp, the opportunities while in high school to attend other camps like SuperWOW and Centrifuge are limited.”

Hay and Adams immediately saw the need to provide a local camp for older teenagers within the Association. The first ever DBA Youth Camp was held at Brewton-Parker for teenagers entering seventh grade all the way through to those seniors who have just graduated from high school.

“We had about forty-five students attend that first camp,” said Hay. “It has grown tremendously over the last five years to where we are now averaging about ninety kids each year.”

Both Hay and Adams are quick to give credit to the late Rev. Calvin Durrence for the continued growth of the camp.

“Being able to see how the lives of some of these young people were changed as a result of that first camp really had a positive influence on Calvin,” said Hay. “After that first camp, his passion to see young lives changed was stronger than ever. His commitment to see this camp grow never wavered.”

“We believed the camp would continue to grow every year,” said Adams. “But we also know we wouldn’t be where we are today without the positive influence of Calvin Durrence.”

Adams and Hay are also quick to give credit to Michael Aoa and the rest of the BPC Student Affairs staff for their willingness to help in camp preparations as well as making sure the week is the best it can be.

“The members of the Student Affairs staff are exceptional employees and ever so helpful,” said Adams. “Thanks to them.”

Plans for the next DBA Youth Camp are already underway. Even though it takes a lot of time and effort to make the camp a reality each year, both Adams and Hay know their motivation and will never stray from it.

“The youth are worth it all,” said Hay.

-BPC-