Local Youth ‘Converge’ On Pensacola During Camp That Served

July 3, 2011

About 200 youth walked into a Pensacola Walmart last week, scattered throughout the store and stood frozen like statues for 30 seconds. “What if happened just like that? Are you ready for Jesus to come back?” they then said in unison.

The youth were part of a church camp called “Converge” which brought youth from across the area together to spread the Gospel and serve the community.

For a photo gallery, click here.

After leaving Walmart, the youth formed a line — like a huge centipede — and made their way through Best Buy and Cordova Mall telling strangers “Jesus loves you”. And, like a giant conga line, mall patrons joined in along the way.

Dozens of the teens were from the North Escambia area. Youth from the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Highland Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church and Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church all took part in the inaugural weeklong Converge camp headquartered at East Brent Baptist Church.

A big part of the weeklong camp was about service to the community. The students took part in a Habitat For Humanity build, spent hours collecting food for the Manna Food Pantry, ministered to patients at Nemours Childrens’ Hospital, helped at the homes of elderly community members, and helped with a golf tournament to help pay bills for the family of a child with terminal cancer.

During the hot summer week, the students walked door to door for Manna, collecting over 2,000 canned food items.

The students also gathered during the week for Backyard Bible Clubs for study.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

17 Responses to “Local Youth ‘Converge’ On Pensacola During Camp That Served”

  1. PAT on July 6th, 2011 11:01 am

    From the comments I’ve heard from the youth at HIGHLAND BAPTIST – MOLINO, they had a wonderful time. A time of learning, helping those in need, and spreading GOD’S MESSAGE!! Awesome Youth!! Proud of You, Ms. Pat

  2. Mallory on July 4th, 2011 12:45 pm

    I was apart of it , and i think this was the funnest youth camp everrr ! hope we do it again next yearr ! (:

  3. Nathan on July 4th, 2011 8:24 am

    I am a proud pastor today! Way to go, Ray’s Chapelers and all you other awesome young people! There’s nothing like serving others in Jesus’ name!

  4. Byrneville Resident on July 3rd, 2011 9:32 pm

    This so wonderful! I am so glad we have some teens being taught what is important in this world today! May God Bless your efforts! And don’t quit now! Keep up the good work!

  5. 429SCJ on July 3rd, 2011 8:59 pm

    Amen! Trina.

  6. brianna p. on July 3rd, 2011 8:34 pm

    I attended this extrodinary event, we had the best time in the world, this has forever changed my life! I love you Jesus!

  7. shawna on July 3rd, 2011 7:45 pm

    This is so awesome! Blessed! So glad to say that I live in a community where young people are making a difference! Keep it up! :)

  8. Guynel Wohlgemuth on July 3rd, 2011 6:23 pm

    What a special week for the teens. They were a blessing as they blessed.
    Thanks especially to the dedicated adults that lead these youth in service.
    Inspiration as well as example, that is what they (the teens) need to help them
    learn how to serve for God’s Glory.

  9. trina on July 3rd, 2011 6:10 pm

    i know god is smiling!

  10. Rhonda Currie on July 3rd, 2011 4:15 pm

    I am so proud of the entire youth that participated and I am so proud to be the parent of 2 Christian teens that were a part of this. Thank you so much Autumn and Austin Ates for being a part of serving our God and helping our community !

  11. RD on July 3rd, 2011 2:43 pm

    God Bless all of you.

  12. Nancy on July 3rd, 2011 2:10 pm

    I am so proud of our youth group! Way to go and spead God’s word to our community.

  13. mysay on July 3rd, 2011 1:37 pm

    It is soooooooo refreshing to see good things in our youth today. Seems all we hear is the worst. God is at work…. through faith and our youth maybe our country can be turned back to the foundation of IN GOD WE TRUST, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, our Freedom is given to us by God. Just in time for 4th of July.
    Thank you….

  14. Jennifer on July 3rd, 2011 1:35 pm

    This is so wonderful!!!

  15. SW on July 3rd, 2011 9:41 am

    A reverse flash-mob; what a great idea. Good for y’all.

  16. WEH on July 3rd, 2011 8:08 am

    This is great. We need to get our youth ontrack with what is really important in life. I am thankful for the church’s that are supporting this. And thanks to the people that have brainstormed it. Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow. Our nation is in a spiritual war right now and we need strong support from God’s people. We can be lazy and let others come in and destroy what our country has fought so hard for or we can get involved and teach our youth what this nation is all about, and the principles that it was built on. When others see this, it inspires them. It has inspired me.

  17. Pam on July 3rd, 2011 8:00 am

    I’m proud of you Anna, Cloe,and Leah. We think this was awsome!
    Ms.Pam and Lily

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News