First Baptist Church of George West youth put faith into action
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Members of the First Baptist Church Youth Group trekked on a new adventure recently.
Twelve students gave up a week of their summer to answer the command that God inspired through the scripture in James 2:14-17, “What good is it, by brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith same him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?’ In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, you have faith, but I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
It is clear that according to Scripture, Christians are to help their brother. The FBC Youth group attended a service camp in Copperhill, Tennessee recently to just that. The church joined up with TEAMeffort—a camp designed to help students learn how to serve others. TEAMeffort mission camps are designed to be a mixture of meaningful service, challenging work, spiritual growth and good, clean, adventurous fun. Groups can expect to work hard, play hard and laugh hard.
The projects, tools, materials, site-leadership, meals, programs & housing are all supplied by TEAMeffort. The youth did not have to worry about the logistics such as paint brushes or hammers. All the FBC Group had to do was just show up with a willing heart and spirit ready to work.
On a Saturday morning, the group left to make the two day drive to Tennessee—stopping overnight in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Upon arrival, students met their team leaders (two college students working at the camp for the summer) and were escorted to their cabins where they would ‘live’ for the next week.
Early Monday morning students were ready for a quick breakfast and then were off to see what they would be doing for their project for the week. After about a 20 minute drive, the students arrived at the home of DeeAnn, her husband and their three young daughters.
At first glance, it was apparent that there was much work to be done on this home. An overgrown yard, a rotting porch, dilapidated siding and insulation, and hearts to be touched were all waiting for the teens. Immediately, the group was given assignments by the team leaders. Crews were divided and the work began. The old porch was demolished, siding and insulation were removed, the yard was cleared, debris removed, and friendships with the family began. The crew worked 3 ½ days of hot, laborious, and tiring work, but they did it. They worked like champions. Some had never held a hammer or operated a circular saw, but they learned…and they worked. Chaperone, Robin Sellman remarked, “When I saw what our young people did on our trip to Camargo, Mexico last December, I was touched by their hearts, and impressed by their efforts. But, when I saw what the same group of students did in Tennessee, I was amazed and overwhelmed. Those kids were committed and put in almost four solid days of hard work. It was hot and the work was challenging, but they stayed committed and focused. I wish that adults who don’t see the good in young people today could have seen this group in action. I know God was proud of them.”
Katheryn Cansino shared, “The experience that I had with TEAMeffort is not one I will ever be able to forget. Being given the opportunity to minister not with words, but with actions that showed Jesus Christ’s love was a blessing to me.” As Christians, we are given the example of Christ to emulate. Christ served others in love. The FBC students had that opportunity during the week in Tennessee.
After each day of work, students were given time to get cleaned up and to eat dinner. A chapel service was held each evening providing students time to re-fuel spiritually. The youth leaders provided encouraging lessons for the group. The chapel sessions were times of fun, learning, and worship.
A significant pantomime held during the Thursday evening chapel told the re-told the story of Christ washing the disciple’s feet. Put to music, the camp leaders’ presentation encouraged Christians to help and serve others and ended with one leader washing the other’s feet as Christ had done with his disciples. At the end of the chapel time, FBC youth were escorted outside by their youth director, David Valverde. Valverde shared with the students how important service was and how all Christians should be about doing the work for God. At the conclusion of his talk, Valverde humbly and with reverence, reenacted the feet washing with his students. One by one, he washed every student’s feet. To witness it was a powerful experience. Each student was given a strip of the cloth Valverde used so they could remember the experience. Depending on the student, some strips were placed in their Bibles as a bookmark, worn as bracelets, or gently packed away for reflection at another time. Student, Cody Bartlett was humbled by the experience of feet washing. “It was powerful…kind of overwhelming. I can’t imagine how the disciples must have felt to actually have Jesus humble himself like that.”
As the students grew spiritually through teaching and service, after a week of hard work, students were given a chance to experience Tennessee. They swam in a ‘blue hole’ in the Olympic Centennial Park where some of the Georgia Summer Olympic Games of 1996 took place. There was also mountain biking, paint-balling, horseback riding available for the group. Students participated in a giant swing activity where they were hoisted up to the top of a 60 foot pole. When the cable was released, the student went sailing through the air. It was an exhilarating experience for those that dared to participate.
The highlight of the fun time was when the group and their sponsors went white-water rafting on the Ocoee River.
When asked about what the trip meant to her, Hillary Sellman responded, “This week in Tennessee was truly an unforgettable experience. Our youth group grew so much closer together through serving others. We helped out a family in need, but in all honestly, it helped us more. We are all called to serve God by serving others, and God rewarded us for that.” Elizabeth Cansino added, “This trip was a real eye-opener for me. I realized that we didn’t have to go to Tennessee to find people that needed help with their homes. God showed me just how much I could do for somebody or a whole family if I just give some of my time.”
Students attending TEAMeffort camp in Tennessee were Alex Combs, Jesse Cansino, Wesley Iley, Katie Sisk, Justin Bray, John Ross Sisk, Cody Bartlett, Elizabeth Cansino, Ellen Nance, Hillary Sellman, Mary Cansino, and Catherine Cansino. Sponsors participating were Carrie Mixon, Robin Sellman, Ross Cansino, Ann Cansino, and Youth Director, David Valverde.
“Being apart of the big family of humanity, we do our best to make this world a little better by actively participating in tangible community projects. I am so proud of our group as they embrace the idea of becoming part of the solution to societal life rather than the problem. Whether it is landscape additions at the school, visiting patients in the hospitals and senior center, or home improvements in the mountains of Tennessee, we give our best to replicate the distinctly Christian value of service that is motivated by love” said Valverde in closing.
Twelve students gave up a week of their summer to answer the command that God inspired through the scripture in James 2:14-17, “What good is it, by brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith same him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?’ In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, you have faith, but I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
It is clear that according to Scripture, Christians are to help their brother. The FBC Youth group attended a service camp in Copperhill, Tennessee recently to just that. The church joined up with TEAMeffort—a camp designed to help students learn how to serve others. TEAMeffort mission camps are designed to be a mixture of meaningful service, challenging work, spiritual growth and good, clean, adventurous fun. Groups can expect to work hard, play hard and laugh hard.
The projects, tools, materials, site-leadership, meals, programs & housing are all supplied by TEAMeffort. The youth did not have to worry about the logistics such as paint brushes or hammers. All the FBC Group had to do was just show up with a willing heart and spirit ready to work.
On a Saturday morning, the group left to make the two day drive to Tennessee—stopping overnight in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Upon arrival, students met their team leaders (two college students working at the camp for the summer) and were escorted to their cabins where they would ‘live’ for the next week.
Early Monday morning students were ready for a quick breakfast and then were off to see what they would be doing for their project for the week. After about a 20 minute drive, the students arrived at the home of DeeAnn, her husband and their three young daughters.
At first glance, it was apparent that there was much work to be done on this home. An overgrown yard, a rotting porch, dilapidated siding and insulation, and hearts to be touched were all waiting for the teens. Immediately, the group was given assignments by the team leaders. Crews were divided and the work began. The old porch was demolished, siding and insulation were removed, the yard was cleared, debris removed, and friendships with the family began. The crew worked 3 ½ days of hot, laborious, and tiring work, but they did it. They worked like champions. Some had never held a hammer or operated a circular saw, but they learned…and they worked. Chaperone, Robin Sellman remarked, “When I saw what our young people did on our trip to Camargo, Mexico last December, I was touched by their hearts, and impressed by their efforts. But, when I saw what the same group of students did in Tennessee, I was amazed and overwhelmed. Those kids were committed and put in almost four solid days of hard work. It was hot and the work was challenging, but they stayed committed and focused. I wish that adults who don’t see the good in young people today could have seen this group in action. I know God was proud of them.”
Katheryn Cansino shared, “The experience that I had with TEAMeffort is not one I will ever be able to forget. Being given the opportunity to minister not with words, but with actions that showed Jesus Christ’s love was a blessing to me.” As Christians, we are given the example of Christ to emulate. Christ served others in love. The FBC students had that opportunity during the week in Tennessee.
After each day of work, students were given time to get cleaned up and to eat dinner. A chapel service was held each evening providing students time to re-fuel spiritually. The youth leaders provided encouraging lessons for the group. The chapel sessions were times of fun, learning, and worship.
A significant pantomime held during the Thursday evening chapel told the re-told the story of Christ washing the disciple’s feet. Put to music, the camp leaders’ presentation encouraged Christians to help and serve others and ended with one leader washing the other’s feet as Christ had done with his disciples. At the end of the chapel time, FBC youth were escorted outside by their youth director, David Valverde. Valverde shared with the students how important service was and how all Christians should be about doing the work for God. At the conclusion of his talk, Valverde humbly and with reverence, reenacted the feet washing with his students. One by one, he washed every student’s feet. To witness it was a powerful experience. Each student was given a strip of the cloth Valverde used so they could remember the experience. Depending on the student, some strips were placed in their Bibles as a bookmark, worn as bracelets, or gently packed away for reflection at another time. Student, Cody Bartlett was humbled by the experience of feet washing. “It was powerful…kind of overwhelming. I can’t imagine how the disciples must have felt to actually have Jesus humble himself like that.”
As the students grew spiritually through teaching and service, after a week of hard work, students were given a chance to experience Tennessee. They swam in a ‘blue hole’ in the Olympic Centennial Park where some of the Georgia Summer Olympic Games of 1996 took place. There was also mountain biking, paint-balling, horseback riding available for the group. Students participated in a giant swing activity where they were hoisted up to the top of a 60 foot pole. When the cable was released, the student went sailing through the air. It was an exhilarating experience for those that dared to participate.
The highlight of the fun time was when the group and their sponsors went white-water rafting on the Ocoee River.
When asked about what the trip meant to her, Hillary Sellman responded, “This week in Tennessee was truly an unforgettable experience. Our youth group grew so much closer together through serving others. We helped out a family in need, but in all honestly, it helped us more. We are all called to serve God by serving others, and God rewarded us for that.” Elizabeth Cansino added, “This trip was a real eye-opener for me. I realized that we didn’t have to go to Tennessee to find people that needed help with their homes. God showed me just how much I could do for somebody or a whole family if I just give some of my time.”
Students attending TEAMeffort camp in Tennessee were Alex Combs, Jesse Cansino, Wesley Iley, Katie Sisk, Justin Bray, John Ross Sisk, Cody Bartlett, Elizabeth Cansino, Ellen Nance, Hillary Sellman, Mary Cansino, and Catherine Cansino. Sponsors participating were Carrie Mixon, Robin Sellman, Ross Cansino, Ann Cansino, and Youth Director, David Valverde.
“Being apart of the big family of humanity, we do our best to make this world a little better by actively participating in tangible community projects. I am so proud of our group as they embrace the idea of becoming part of the solution to societal life rather than the problem. Whether it is landscape additions at the school, visiting patients in the hospitals and senior center, or home improvements in the mountains of Tennessee, we give our best to replicate the distinctly Christian value of service that is motivated by love” said Valverde in closing.
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