THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 28, 1995 TAG: 9507270152
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
In a day and age when racial unrest is often in the news, two local churches are promoting a positive relationship between two different groups. Teens from the mainly white, middle class Kempsville Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach merged with adults from the low income, mainly black, Refuge Church of God in Christ in Campostella Square of Chesapeake.
The two churches ran a one-week evening recreation program in the low income development of Campostella Square, with an interesting twist; the teens ran most of the programs. The Refuge adults provided the facilities, food and any other support that was needed.
``I believe this was a good experience for both congregations,'' said the Rev. Joseph Williams, pastor at Refuge church. When churches are united they are are more effective in showing God to the community, he said.
Close to 75 kids from Campostella Square turned out the first day of the program. It was clear they were having a good time, since most of them stayed throughout the week.
``My mommy and daddy brought me the first day, but I wanted to come back,'' said Ebony Cooper, 6. ``I had a lot of fun.''
Ryan Haskins, 8, said, ``I liked the games and I liked the teens. They're fun. I liked learning Bible stories.''
This is the third year the Kempsville teens have had an outreach program in Campostella Square, but the first time they had worked with a church from that area.
Kempsville youth director Wes Lammay is looking for ways to make the program a year-round commitment. About 30 of his young people participated last year and the majority of them returned. Some had questions about going to the area, but soon got past that.
``I was kind of scared at first, but now I really like it out here,'' said 14-year-old Beth Holter of Brigadoon Pines, a returnee. ``I came earlier this year in the winter, just so I could see some of the friends I had made.''
The summer event was important enough that Holter took time for it even though her family was busy packing for a move to Dallas, Texas.
Twelve year-old Abby Rockwell of Homestead added, ``I was a little scared and amazed at the buildings and poverty level. But I want to come out here again. I've made some new friends and I feel it's important to minister to people in your own community.''
The teens and adults teamed together at the Refuge church grounds for this year's program. Activities included crafts and games for area children 4 to 8 and either drama or sports for children 9 to 14.
According to Kempsville volunteer Todd Nelson, sports coordinator for the week, ``We wanted to get the teens involved with doing something for the Lord.''
Besides gospel presentation opportunities, the teens had plenty of other responsibilities for the week. With the exception of sports, which was organized by Nelson, the teens planned and provided all the fun activities. The teens led most of the small group discussions and teaching was done strictly by the teens.
The Kempsville and Refuge adults set up the theme and guidelines. And the teens didn't seem to mind taking on the responsibilities.
``(Though) I came out here to have fun, I wanted to learn some discipline for myself,'' said Jacob Clemons, 15, of Indian Lakes and a sophomore at Salem High School.
Bert Wicks, 14, also of Indian Lakes and a rising eighth-grader at Kempsville Middle, said he decided to help out because he thought it would be a good thing to do.
The messages apparently came through loud and clear to at least one Chesapeake participant, Dwight Day, 14. He quickly recited the theme for the week. ``They talked to us about respect, love, caring and forgiveness.''
Day participated in the sports program, which had a unique way of getting those themes across. Points were rewarded to teams that best exhibited these characteristics. Points were also taken away from teams that did not. Points were also given for top finishes in events, good attitudes, listening habits and being on time. Points could also be taken away for bad attitudes and habits.
T-shirts were awarded at the end of the week to each member of the winning team. Ribbons were given to the runners-up. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAN COOLEY
Stephanie Spruill, 9, and Lauren Wicks, 13, play a little
pat-a-cake. Activities included crafts and games for area children 4
to 8 and either drama or sports for children 9 to 14.
by CNB