Hundreds of students made life changing decisions for Jesus last week on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University during Super Summer Arkansas.
The annual camp, sponsored by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention with funding provided by the Cooperative Program, focuses on evangelism and discipleship for students.
Super Summer Arkansas, which was June 22–29, is split into two camps: Super Summer JV, serving campers who have completed sixth through eighth grade, and Super Summer, serving campers who have completed ninth through 12th grade.
Between the JV and senior high, almost 3,000 students and staffers were led at night in worship by Aaron Williams and camp speaker Shane Pruitt.
‘Drilled deep’
Throughout the week, 819 students made life-changing decisions for Jesus, including 188 recorded salvations. During the day, students were led by youth ministers from all over Arkansas in “schools” where they drilled deep into the curriculum.
Staffers utilized small group time to help students apply what they were learning in practical ways. Students also participated in recreation, comprised of a series of team-building games.
Hearing from Him
“Every year that I’ve brought a group to Super Summer, we’ve had salvations and students called to ministry,” First Baptist Church in Booneville student pastor Michael Freeman said in a previous article. “(Super Summer) brings kids in and gives them a chance to be immersed in the Word of God and to hear from Him. I am excited how everything with Super Summer translates over the summer and into the new school year.”
Additionally, there were 225 recommitments to Christ, 170 calls to the ministry and 236 other decisions.
“It was an incredible year for camp,” said Next Gen and Discipleship Strategist Bill Newton of the Evangelism + Church Health Team. “I’m so grateful for a dedicated team of people who make camp happen for such a large group of students: the Super Summer Leadership Team, the office staff, over 100 college-aged staffers who volunteer and all the adults who bring their students. I am excited to hear the follow-up on baptisms in local churches. And I am excited to begin working toward a relaunch of Explore Your Call for those who feel called to ministry.”
Explore Your Call is a ministry that partners with local church leadership to call out, affirm and prepare the next generation of church leaders.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Mary Alford and originally published by Arkansas Baptist News.
