This year with Covid, made me rethink a lot of things in kids ministry and one of those main pillars in Kid Min is a "sleep away five day camp." After much prayer and talking to my team, we felt like we should look at something different. In my small town of White Hall, there is a love of all sports and I wanted to do something that would get our community excited about a day camp program since we couldn't really go away and have a whole lot of families feel safe about sending their children off.
I was sitting in my office and it hit me, what about Sports Crusaders! I had heard about the organization and I had various friends from college who had worked for the organization. I started doing some research and before you know it... I called Tricia Alberts on the phone organizing for them to come for a week in July.
Nine college students came to lead camps in Baseball, Basketball, and Cheer for the kiddos in our community and it was absolutely amazing for our community in reaching children and their families for the Gospel! We had six make decisions to follow Jesus this last week and some real conversations with kids who wanted to know more. Half of the children had never attended our church and many of those kids did not have a church home. Following up with their families and telling them about our church is on the top of my list over the next few weeks.
Sports Crusaders is an amazing organization and very easy to work with in putting on a quality camp. They are based out of Holts Summit, Missouri and their goal is to share the Gospel all over the Midwest and South. They would love to do more camps in Arkansas so if you are in my state, let me know how I can help you in putting on this camp. I cannot speak highly enough about our week and what it has done for our kid's ministry.
Covid may have changed plans, but it for sure has not hurt our ministry and I can't wait to see what God continues to do.