Arkadelphia, Ark. – Thousands of students from across the state have gathered this week on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia for Super Summer Arkansas, which wraps up Saturday, June 29.
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 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.
First Baptist Church in Booneville Student Pastor Michael Freeman said Super Summer has a “great impact” on the youth. The church brought 14 students for Super Summer JV, which began Saturday and ended Tuesday, and 13 students for Super Summer, which began Tuesday.
“Every year that I’ve brought a group to Super Summer we’ve had salvations and students called to ministry,” Freeman said on Monday, noting they had four JV students make professions of faith Sunday night. “(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.”
In total, organizers reported 111 salvations, 95 recommitments and 62 calls to ministry during Super Summer JV.
Attending Super Summer for his 23rd year as an adult was Jeremy Holland, youth pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Witcherville.
“Super Summer is super intentional. They’ve moved toward writing curriculum themselves, directing the theme toward what matters. It’s really heavy on not just evangelism but discipleship,” Holland said. “The amount of teaching that goes on, you don’t get that in all the other camps.
It’s more than just a summer camp. It’s almost like discipleship boot camp. It’s really good. Students at all levels have the opportunity to grow.”
Music Minister Will Richey of First Baptist Church in Hamburg said they bring a group of students every year to Super Summer and love it.
“It’s super engaging for our students. You don’t get this experience all the time,” Richey said. “Church camp is such a special thing for our students. They’ve got to be able to come and experience what God has for them and I think church camp is such a great avenue for that.”
They church brought 12 students for Super Summer JV and eight for Super Summer.
“We’ve had students give their life to Christ through this week. We’ve had students accept the call to ministry at this camp. We’ve seen just a lot of spiritual growth through this camp. It means a lot to us,” Richey said.