We had a great time at Youth Camp this past week, July 17-21. Many decisions were made for Christ, including eight salvations.
Every ounce of energy expended, and every dollar invested in this ministry is well worth it.
Every summer for the past 15 years, we have hosted a oneweek youth camp in cooperation with several other churches of like faith. We usually have from 100-150 campers, including counselors, ranging in ages from eight and upwards. This year, we registered 105 campers.
Brother Alan Berrio, Pastor of Whitney Missionary Baptist Church, Whitney, Texas, and coach at Cherokee ISD, has been our camp preacher since the beginning. He has been used of God in a very powerful way. He is a gifted youth camp preacher and always preaches timely and applicable messages. God has given him a unique ability to draw the campers, both youth and adults, into the services.
B.A.N.G (Building A New Generation) Youth Camp began in 2009 as a ministry of Central Baptist Church, San Saba, and Bible Baptist Church, Mason, and held its first summer camp at Menard Camp in Menard, Texas. In 2018, we leased the Star School after it had closed due to consolidation with Goldthwaite. We divided the building and converted it into boys' and girls' dorms that will sleep over 200 campers. The bus barn was changed into an open-air tabernacle where we hold all chapel and preaching services. We also have a football field, rodeo arena, tennis court and full size gymnasium. Our camp has no swimming pool, but we have purchased a giant 18' water slide and 20' x 20' wading pool. Our camp is equipped with a full kitchen that we are in the process of upgrading to more efficient appliances.
All the buildings are fully air conditioned for the comfort of the campers, and it sure was a blessing this year as the heat was almost unbearable.
Through the past 15 years of this summer camp ministry, we have recorded over 255 salvation decisions, and three campers and two adults have surrendered to preach the gospel.
We thank God for the privilege and honor of having a part for good and God in the lives of children and youth. The next generation is in the making!
Matthew 19:14 'But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of God.' To God be the glory!