This summer has been an experience – we’ve been able to minister to many children, and see God’s work in camps across the city area. This year we had 14 summer interns who were trained in using the One Way curriculum from CEF Press, which teaches children about how Christ is the “one way” to salvation. Additionally, the interns used a missionary curriculum I Dare, the story of Amy Carmichael and her experiences ministering to abused children in India while learning how to trust God’s good answers to her prayers. We are happy to report that every day in June during various summer camps, we’ve had at least one child give his/her life to Christ. Many other children received prayer and encouragement from the interns about matters that were of immediate concern. Bible clubs will run throughout the summer.
One of our interns was a true blessing. Originally from Kenya, Beritah holds a Ph.D in Christian Education, and stumbled upon our call for volunteers through an email/website glitch. Interested in the opportunity, she went through the training and showed her true passion for ministering to children. She is currently teaching at one of our Durham camps, and will join our ministry team as a volunteer in the fall. Thank you for your service, Beritah!
Our tennis camps have had great attendance – over 50 children attended the first session in June, and all were counseled for salvation as they voluntarily responded each day. There have been 3 follow up sessions at an inner city court site. These camps will run until the end of July. We just re-launched our partnership with UrbanHope, to create a weekly tennis camp to 35 area middle and high school students who reside in the Walltown neighborhood. We are also pleased to announce we will be launching a fall tennis camp for students who have shown interest or excelled in prior tennis camps.
Next year we are developing plans to offer a golf camp as well as new basketball camps. This year’s basketball outreach has shown great success at special events and during weekend outreach. Next summer will have a full slate of sports and camps.
This summer, we’ve been able to participate and plan several other outreach events. Our last event at Oak Creek Village, near Chapel Hill, was highly successful, and we are gearing up for an August 20th event, where we will be planning a resurgence of outreach to the Oakley Square neighborhood. The event will be a back to school event to honor Mr. Fred, an important figure in ministry to the area. In partnership with the Mr. Fred Foundation, we aim to give away 200 backpacks loaded with school supplies to children in the neighborhood.
Stats on Our Ministry So Far in 2016: