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FCA Passing Camp at BPC brings God to the game

A Montgomery County High School receiver outruns two Fitzgerald High School Hurricane defenders during a seven-on-seven passing game formation last week during the FCA Passing Camp held on BPC’s Mount Vernon campus. (Photos by Kelley M. Arnold)

By Kelley M. Arnold

Director of News and Public Information

MOUNT VERNON—Last week’s high temperatures and humidity didn’t stop five high school football teams from putting their heart into their game – both physically and spiritually – on the Brewton-Parker College (BPC) soccer fields.

First Baptist Church of Vidalia Senior Pastor Bucky Kennedy (center, in orange shirt and red baseball cap) looks on the seven-on-seven play with the team’s coaches during the FCA Passing Camp. Kennedy is credited with starting the camp in this area.

These five teams comprised this area’s inaugural group of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Passing Camp, co-sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Vidalia (FBCV) and held on BPC’s main campus in Mount Vernon June 21-23, said FBCV Senior Pastor Bucky Kennedy.

Vidalia, Montgomery County, Jeff Davis, North Hall and Fitzgerald high schools participated in the three-day camp that catered to developing the spiritual and physical aspects of athletic leadership both on and off the playing field.

“This camp is strictly for working on the passing game. It’s a seven-on-seven perimeter game,” said Kennedy. “However, we’re up front from the get-go that our emphasis of camp is spiritual, and the coaches know this. We don’t compromise that. These coaches realize that if these kids are spiritually strong, they are going to be morally and athletically strong.”

Kennedy reports that during the four chapel services almost 30 young men received Christ into their lives.

A Vidalia High School receiver catches a pass on Brewton-Parker College’s soccer field during the inaugural FCA Passing Camp co-sponsored by First Baptist Church of Vidalia.

“These coaches allow us to share the gospel with their kids,” said Kennedy. “Our focus is three-fold: evangelism, team building and team work. Brewton-Parker facilitates our (camp) well and it’s a great setting for this kind of camp.”

FCA representative Jason Lester said this may be the first camp of its kind in the area, but it’s not the first athletic/spiritual growth camp held by FCA in the state.

“We have a similar camp in North Georgia where 40 schools attend in July,” said Lester. “However there are many who will attend (the North Georgia one) from this area who may not have known about this one at Brewton-Parker. I believe they will try to attend this camp next year. With 40 schools, it’s really almost too big.”

Lester explains FCA’s mission is to impact the world for Christ through athletes and coaches, and is excited about what happened on the playing fields and in the chapel services at Brewton-Parker last week.

“We’re proud that Bucky (Kennedy) supports this camp and for all of the coaches’ support. (This camp) is a good chance for these kids to learn football and it’s a great chance for them to learn more about God’s love.”

“Brewton-Parker is honored to partner with FCA and First Baptist Church of Vidalia,” said Dr. Charles D. Strickland, executive assistant to the president for church relations. “Ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of these students perfectly blends with Brewton-Parker’s mission of producing graduates who will be well-rounded citizens engaged in making an eternal difference.”

To find out more about FCA Passing Camp at Brewton-Parker College, contact Kennedy at his office at FBCV, 912-537-4196.

A pack of Vidalia High School Indians are ready to block a pass from a North Hall High School player during the FCA Passing Camp held on BPC’s main campus June 21-23.

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