Southside Baptist Church summer camp leads children to Christ

Southside Baptist Church reopens by offering children hope during its summer day camp.

August 5, 2021
LaVeta Jones

PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRN) – Pastor Fernando Downs of Southside Baptist Church in Lumberton, New Jersey, recently partnered with Grace Falls Church, Absecon, New Jersey, and Lakes Church, Lakeland, Florida, in hosting a summer day camp.

This event marked the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that the church’s classrooms and campus were used for evangelistic and educational purposes.

According to Downs, over 26 youth and children participated in the weeklong camp and everyday were immersed in the evangelistic testimonies of the staff.

Lifeway’s 2020 VBS Curriculum Concrete and Cranes provided the foundation for age-appropriate Gospel presentations.

“On the basis of the week’s activities, three young people expressed a desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in believer’s baptism, and several other young people committed to re-engage regular Wednesday evening Bible Study once the church deems it safe to do so as a part of their ongoing commitment to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” shared Downs.

This is what church day camp is all about, leading young ones to Christ!

And how fitting for Southside to reopen on this side of pandemic by offering children hope and a new beginning through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

“We give the Lord Jesus Christ glory and thanks for the partnership we received from the Baptist Resource Network to assist us in facilitating a day camp experience utilizing our church’s facilities,” said Downs.

Not only did this partnership provide a fun experience for kids and staff alike, many new and enduring friendships and Gospel partnerships were forged, connecting the Gulf Shore with the Garden State!

We look forward to hearing about future collaborations between these two regions!

LaVeta Jones

LaVeta Jones is a community outreach event coordinator, freelance media producer and communication consultant. She has coordinated events with the school district of Philadelphia and elected officials. She also works extensively with the faith-based community and the Philadelphia Police Department and has taught community policing workshops and presented for department press conferences. LaVeta, who earned a bachelor of arts in film and media arts at Temple University, graduated Summa Cum Laude and served as class valedictorian, began working for BRN in 2007, where she has assisted in telling the stories of our BRN churches.