August 25, 2024
“Camp is back!” declared Chris Trent, NextGen catalyst for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “Superwow and Impact have an amazing legacy here in Georgia. It was amazing this summer to see those camps continue to point teenagers to Jesus in such a powerful way.”
Teens flocked to the Superwow and Impact summer camps for students, organized annually by the mission board’s NextGen student ministry. Almost 700 people, including 185 leaders and staff, gathered for Impact at Shorter University in Rome, Ga., the first week of June. Fourty-four Georgia churches were represented this year.
“Impact” is more than a just a name, it represents the life-changing decisions made at the camp. The mission board reports that 34 students made salvation decisions, and 39 answered a call to ministry. “The lives of teenagers were changed this summer at Superwow and Impact camps,” Trent said.
One attendee, 12-grader Caroline Brown, described the atmosphere at the camp, saying “It was so refreshing to be around people who thrive for the Lord, and being able to worship with them was such an amazing experience.”
Rob Craft, youth pastor at FBC Moultrie, said, “We bring our students to IMPACT every year because I know they’ll spend so much time engaging with scripture.” Craft emphasized that the effects of camp last longer than just that week. “The students that attend help lead our youth group in the coming year in a variety of different ways and IMPACT helps prepare them.”
Brody Bearden, youth pastor at Calvary Bible Church in Athens, talked about the effect of attending camp, both on students and leaders. “Impact as a student is an incredible display of teaching, discipleship, and what it means to follow and live for Christ,” he said. While for student pastors the camp is “encouraging, refreshing, and the highlight of my summer. I come home every year completely exhausted, yet spiritually full from the time spent with our Impact family.”
Selah Wheeler, a student who attends Bearden’s church, reflected on the importance of the relationships formed at Impact. “It's truly incredible how the bonds built at camp last far longer than a week and go much deeper than a typical camp relationship,” she said. “The people you meet will truly change your life for the better.”
Leyton Jones, a youth leader from Central Baptist Church in Douglasville, concurred, saying, “Impact is important to me as it gives students a chance to dive deeper into their faith with people who start as strangers, but turn into lifelong friends by the end of the week. Impact gives the students the tools necessary to step into the world and be able to truly understand their relationship with God.”
Due to popular demand this year, the mission board added a second week of Superwow camp, held in Panama City Beach, Fla. A combined total of nearly 550 students attended, representing 25 churches. There were 44 salvation decisions and 52 students answered a call to ministry.
"Students always leave changed and it’s an experience they never forget,” said Cindy Scheile, student ministries director at Sutallee Baptist Church. “Superwow is our group’s favorite camp! It’s the total package.”
Candy Sangster, youth leader at New Richland Baptist Church, said she brings her students to Superwow “because it allows us to grow closer as a group while absolutely strengthening our relationships with Jesus. SuperWow has given us friendships with other churches and the SuperWow staff that we will forever cherish.”
In addition to decisions at Impact and Superwow, seven students made salvation decisions and 39 answered the call to ministry at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s SURGE Music Camp held last month, also at Shorter University in Rome.
Reflecting on the camps’ success this year, Trent said, “It continues to amaze me how many students are saying yes to a call into ministry.”
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For additional insights and information on leading and working in student ministry in your church, check out the GBMB NextGen Youth Ministry Podcast for volunteers, available on Apple, Google, and Spotify.
