Sensing God’s call of salvation on their lives, dozens of students took their stand for Christ during this summer’s Summersalt youth camps held at White Oak Conference Center. Many hundreds made recommitments to Christ, and several indicated their response to God’s call on their lives for ministry.
These are but a few of the examples of the incredible work our Lord continues to do during the Summersalt camping season sponsored through the work of your Baptist state convention. This year 2,317 youth participated in our camps, setting a new attendance record and breaking the old record set just last year! Steve Rohrlack and Cory Singleton, of our convention youth staff, recruited and trained a phenomenal team of young people who led the youth in inspiring worship, riveting drama, and biblically based small groups. For the past two years all campers were trained in evangelism, and the breakout sessions were well received also. We thank God for the powerful work He continues to do through our young people.
AustinMcCall RA Camp experienced a phenomenal summer with campers as well. Attendance was slightly up over last year’s in spite of our lagging economy, which has impaired the attendance at so many other camps. Cliff Satterwhite, Eddie Pettit and Randy Vincent, along with their incredible staff team, continue to provide a stellar camping experience for young men. South Carolina Baptists have much to be grateful for related to the awesome summer camp experiences that are made available to them at Camp McCall and the White Oak Conference Center.
As we begin the new academic year, our Baptist campus ministries are coming off of what appears to have been one of the most fruitful years ever in regard to both campus meeting attendance and first-time professions of faith in Christ. Additionally, a new record was set in collegiate mission volunteers, with 93 participating in missionary work ranging from children’s ministry in South Carolina to teaching “True Love Waits” in Swaziland, Africa. These students serve with little financial remuneration but with hearts filled with faith, obedience and love. They are willing to sacrifice all for Jesus’ sake. Many of these student volunteers return to their respective campus ministries this fall, and we pray that God will continue using them in reaching their fellow students for Christ. We so appreciate the work of Ken Owens and his dedicated team of eight full-time Baptist campus ministry leaders and several part-time leaders who continue to honor our Lord by reaching their assigned campuses for our Lord.
These are but a few of the many ministry highlights that have occurred this summer through the efforts of ministries sponsored by your South Carolina Baptist Convention. In spite of the economic struggles that continue to be experienced in our nation, your ministries are not retracting but, rather, advancing. Many ministries are experiencing downturns in attendance and participation, yet yours are on the upswing in almost every area, for which we give God all the praise.
Thank you for your prayerful support for each of these viable and crucial ministries. Thank you for sacrificially giving through the Cooperative Program, ensuring that ministries such as these not only survive but thrive as we together Experience Kingdom Life.
– Austin is executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.