Vbs - LifeWay

Centri-Kid staffer Jared
Folks directs campers through
a team-building game.
Web resources
Go to www.lifeway.com/
factsandtrends for a link to more
information about Centri-Kid
and other LifeWay Fuge camps.
In addition you can read:
• a blog entry by Brooklyn
Noel on interviewing
children about Centri-Kid
• a story about the Centri-Kid
camp director’s journey of
faith
• an article that helps parents
know if their child is ready
for camp
Each day, campers hiked to the recreation
field at Ridgecrest’s campus under banners
bearing Hollywood-themed team names such
as “Cuecards,” “Stuntmen,” “Cameos” and
“Sequels.” Once there, the campers played
creative relay games, mastered team-building
activities and even bounced a ball on a
colorful nylon parachute. As groups rotated
through each station, however, counselors
often found a way to relate the
activity to biblical lessons such
as supporting one another or
working together.
“I like the way they do camp
here,” said Cindy Bailey, children’s
minister at St. Mark’s Church in
Burlington, N.C. “It’s fun, but
the kids learn something. It gets
them interested in the Bible and
interested in Christ and makes
them want to come back.”
At least one of Bailey’s students,
Jacqualine Faith, accepted Christ
after the evening service Saturday
night.
“I feel wonderful,” Faith said after speaking
with one of the Centri-Kid counselors and
making her decision for Christ. “I gave my
life to God and when I die I get to go to
heaven.”
It’s moments such as this that keep
Slaughter coming back to lead worship
for children. “I don’t want to be the aloof
worship leader who shows up on stage and
sings. With kids, it’s about relationships.”
For Coatney, those relationships should lead
to authentic changes in kids’ lives that then
benefit the churches they attend.
“Camp is good because it helps the
churches,” Coatney said. “Kids are real
believers. The real Holy Spirit is living in
their hearts. They can do real ministry and
they can serve their churches in real ways.” n
34 Facts & Trends