By Errol
Castens
MEMPHIS, Tennessee--Whether it's the miraculous healing of a withered hand or the simple offering of bread to the hungry, the gospel has often taken very practical approaches in touching people's lives.
The Memphis congregation filled a similar need for its neighbors this summer by offering a day camp for children ages 5 to 12.
"We wanted to offer a quality summer camp to the Raleigh community," said director Laura Moore, wife of associate pastor Frederick Moore. "We're blessed with more than 10 teachers in our congregation, so it seemed to be something for which we had been gifted."
The church's facility--a former school, complete with gymnasium, classrooms and auditorium--is in a working-class neighborhood where parents often find their time and financial resources stretched. The camp's long hours--6 a.m. to 6 p.m.--and nominal cost were important to participating families.
"I needed something that fit my schedule," said parent Joycelyn Brown. "It's convenient, too."
Even so, "we wanted to be more than baby-sitting," Mr. Moore said. "It is important to many of the parents that this is a church organization."
Volunteers and staff members (including one teacher who turned down a public school summer job at almost three times the salary) tutored the children in reading and math and offered such varied subjects as dance, cheerleading, science discovery, karate, music appreciation and etiquette.
"We heard it was a nice camp," said Jewel Hampton, 11. "This is the best one I've been to. We didn't get to do so many activities at other camps."
While such activities served to round out the curriculum, the focus was clearly on Christ. As the summer progressed, campers increasingly looked forward to the Kids for Christ sessions, where they experienced interactive biblical teaching, worship and prayer.
"These kids ... love to pray," said teacher Ivon Clark. "If they learn of someone sick, they want to pray for them."
In addition, the day campers provided special music at the church's July 23 worship service.
Tangible differences were evident in the lives of many participants.
"One child came here with a hardened attitude," said teacher Barbara Perry. "Just today [late July], he gave me a note that said, `My teacher, Ms. Barbara, is nice.' Knowing his background, just that he took the time to write the note is growth beyond imagination. If you get children young enough, you can give them God in a way you cannot when they're older."
Many parents responded to the positive approaches they found, too.
"The staff is jovial," said Marcella Cunningham, whose son, Xavier, 9, attended the camp. "They're attentive and caring." Some parents confided in staff members, often asking for prayer about troubles they faced.
The camp was more than a one-time outreach. The Memphis congregation is using the experience to aim for a year-round child care center, tentatively set to open early in 2001.
The day camp and day care programs are part of the Memphis congregation's strategic long-range plan for evangelism.
"The ultimate mission of the child care center is needs-based evangelism," said pastor Randy Bloom. "The children are taught about Jesus Christ and the personal relationship they can have with him. We're already establishing relationships with families that will help us develop credibility for sharing the gospel with them.
"We're finding out that there are opportunities for spin-off ministries--a food bank and a counseling service, for instance--that we hope to be able to fulfill in the future," Mr. Bloom added.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000