The Heart of Our Mission Team
Updated: Aug 15
Serving in Carriere, Mississippi
For the past two years, Full Life Camp Ministries has been invited by West Union Baptist Church in Carriere, Mississippi, to bring a Mission Team and partner with them in leading Champions for Christ Camp. Much like Full Life Sports Camp in Kingsport, Champions for Christ combines sports and Vacation Bible School to create an environment where children can have fun, build relationships, and learn about Jesus.
Our Mission Team is made up of high school and college students who coach sports, lead activities, teach Bible lessons, build relationships with campers, and serve wherever they are needed.
We do not travel to Mississippi simply to put on another camp. We go to serve alongside West Union Baptist Church, support the ministry God is already doing through them, and help children in their community experience the love of Jesus.
Developing Young Leaders
An important part of Full Life’s mission is giving young people meaningful opportunities to lead. We believe high school and college students do not have to wait until they are older to make a difference.
Our investment in the Mission Team begins well before Mission Week. We intentionally pour into team members through discipleship, leadership development, team building, spiritual preparation, and practical training. We want them to arrive prepared not only to complete their responsibilities, but also to serve with humility, lead with confidence, and represent Jesus well.
One Mission Team member shared:
“Serving on the mission team, to me, is a lot more than going on vacation or doing a camp. Being able to travel with such a close group of people who are devoted to the same thing you are passionate about is an awesome experience.Having the privilege of pouring into these children sometimes feels like it has a bigger impact on me than I have on them. I learn so much through fully submitting myself to God and doing what I can to show these kids Jesus.It is exhausting, but it is so incredibly worth it.”
Growing While We Serve
Over the past two years, we have taken the Mission Team to serve the community of Carriere, Mississippi but the students who go are changed too. They learn how to work together, lead with humility, respond when plans change, and continue serving even when they are tired. They grow closer to one another and discover the value of being surrounded by people who share the same desire to serve Jesus.
The team also grows in their own relationships with Jesus. We have watched team members make decisions to go all in with Him, take meaningful steps in their faith, and encourage one another toward deeper commitment. We even had the privilege of baptizing a member of our Mission Team an unforgettable reminder that God is working not only through the team, but also within the team.
For some students, the trip helps them discover gifts they did not realize they had. Others grow more confident in sharing their faith, leading children, praying with others, or stepping into unfamiliar situations.
This is why developing young leaders is such an important part of the Full Life Camp Ministries Mission Team. We want to give students more than tasks to complete. We want to provide opportunities for them to take ownership, make decisions, solve problems, lead others, and discover how God can use their gifts.
The mission field becomes a place of discipleship not only for the children attending camp, but also for the young people serving them.
Could Full Life Serve Your Community?
Carriere has become an important part of the Full Life story, but our hope is to eventually take Mission Teams into other communities as well. We want to partner with local churches and community leaders who desire to reach children and families through camps, sports, Bible teaching, and relationships.
If you believe Full Life Camp Ministries could serve your community, we would love to talk with you about bringing a team to partner with your church or organization. Our desire is not simply to arrive and put on an event, but to build a partnership that supports the ministry already happening in your community.
You can help make that possible by praying, giving, encouraging our young leaders, inviting a team to your community, or helping provide the travel, supplies, and resources needed to serve.
If you are interested in bringing Full Life Camp Ministries to your community, please complete our interest form. If you have any questions before completing the form, email us at jamichael@fulllifecamps.org.
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