THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607240161
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 98 lines
THESE ARE the lazy, hazy days of summer - a time when most young people think of sun and surf, a little R 'n' R and hanging out before the upcoming fall schedule kicks in.
But that's not the case for 42 young people from First Baptist Church. Going counterculture, they recently gave a week of their summer vacation in ministry and hands-on service in West Palm Beach, Fla., at MissionFuge '96.
From June 21 to 28, the First Baptist group joined 300 teens from all across the United States at Palm Beach Atlantic College for training and mobilization in various mission ministries. The weeklong training, sponsored by Southern Baptists and led by college and seminary students, was part of a 10-week series of camps that continued throughout the summer.
According to Yolene Curry, youth minister of the First Baptist group, MissionFuge was a week of challenging opportunities and life-changing experiences for the Suffolk team. The structure of MissionFuge allowed each teen to choose a mission track for the week. Choices included street ministry, creative ministry, sports track, Habitat for Humanity and an environmental group.
The street ministry organized to impact a four block area that included a drug-infested neighborhood of West Palm Beach. Because of the danger involved in reaching the area, local police escorts supported the ministry team.
``Instead of gum wrappers on the ground, we saw plastic crack and weed packs,'' Curry said. ``Our goal was to help change the behavior patterns of these people, help them go beyond where they were and to share Christ with them.''
Teens volunteering for the Habitat track worked hands-on in new home construction. The environmental track tackled environmental issues like, ``How can we help take care of God's world?'' Curry said. Answers were translated into several projects: sinking a barge to form an artificial reef, planting sea oats and cleaning up a litter-strewed neighborhood.
The sports track team organized interactive games and athletic competition and then took to the streets finding gangs of kids and bringing them together in wholesome fun. Once relationships were formed, teens shared from their own life experiences about their Christian faith.
Those opting for the creative track organized a 20-minute program of music and drama and then took their production into nursing homes, child care centers, hospitals and detention centers throughout the city.
``Without exception, everywhere we ministered, people were touched,'' Curry said.
The days were long and hard at MissionFuge - wake up calls at 6 a.m., taxing mission projects throughout the day and lights out at 11 p.m. But sandwiched between the outreach, there were opportunities for inspiration and spiritual growth as well. There were morning devotions, small group Bible studies and a nightly ``Celebration'' - a time of upbeat music, stirring drama and uplifting messages by Camp Pastor Randal Glass.
``His messages were incredible and very creative,'' Curry said.
Of the 300 students at MissionFuge that week, more than 100 made decisions about their spiritual lives. Suffolk's Casey Simpkins, 15, performed for nursing home patients with the creative ministry track.
``You could see their eyes light up when we sang or did a skit,'' she said. ``They were just so blessed that someone came and that we cared about them.''
Simpkins' own life was also blessed. ``Usually I keep to myself, but this trip helped me open up, it pulled me out of my shell,'' she said. ``It was just a terrific time.''
The trip was also a time of bonding among the First Baptist group. Each night teens shared in small group devotions the excitements of the day and the burdens and concerns of real-life ministry.
``It really builds community when you work together and share together like that,'' Curry said.
Suffolk's Meg Gilbert, 17, went with her ministry team to perform in a home for mentally handicapped children. The experience affirmed for Meg her desire to pursue further training in the field of special education.
``It was so touching to be able to show them the love and attention they needed and deserved,'' she said.
As MissionFuge closed, a tired but fulfilled Suffolk group boarded its bus for the homeward journey. A two-day stopover in Orlando provided some time for group fun and fellowship with a night at Medieval Times Restaurant and an action-packed day at Universal Studios.
``You go with an idea you have something to offer and instead you feel like you've been ministered to,'' said Curry, capturing the spirit of the trip. ``Often you feel so inadequate, but it's an awesome thing to experience God using you life.
``It's so exciting to see God work in the lives of these kids and to see their concept of God - and what He can do - grow tremendously,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: GET INVOLVED
Local teens can participate in Mini-Fuge '96 at First Baptist
Church, 237 N. Main St., Suffolk from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through
Aug. 1.
Patterned after the Southern Baptist CentriFuge program,
Mini-Fuge will feature track times to allow participants to choose
an area of ministry such as puppets, clowning or sign language to
investigate. Emphasis will be given to developing a personal
relationship with God and the tools of the Christian life.
Thursday's schedule will include field day events beginning at 2
p.m. and continuing with a cookout and the evening program. The
theme for Mini-Fuge activities is ``Go for the Goal.''
Mini-Fuge will be sponsored by First, Great Fork, Hillcrest,
Southside and Wilroy Baptist churches.
For more information, call 539-4152. by CNB