Posted: 8/8/03
New BGCT camp unites
diverse Asian teenagers
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
WACO–Diverse Asian Baptist youth connected with each other and responded to the gospel at “Take Out,” a new Baptist General Convention of Texas-sponsored camp.
More than 100 youth from 10 churches participated in the camp June 16-20. Students mainly came from the Houston area, and several cultures were well represented, including Chinese and Filipino.
Camp organizers said they were amazed to see the children unite through the camp's activities. Age, gender and cultural barriers quickly fell, and friendships emerged, noted David Eng, associate pastor of Chinese Baptist Church in Houston. Eng's youth were among the few participants who had been to a church camp before this summer.
“For our kids, this camp isn't that unique or special,” Eng said. “But I think one thing that is unique is the diversity of Asian churches that have come together.”
The camp gave youth from smaller Asian churches an opportunity to attend a camp especially designed for them. Campers easily related to each other and found sounding boards for issues they were encountering, said Cathy Dundas of the BGCT intercultural initiatives office.
“I think they really made some strong Christian friends that they will take back with them and will help them in their faith,” Dundas added.
God worked in the first year of the effort, held at Baylor University, Dundas said, noting she saw small moments of ministry that reminded her why she organized the camp.
Two young men apologized to a young woman after throwing her in a pool. That night, they played a song they had written to express their feelings.
A young boy said he “came to meet girls, but met God instead.”
Youth eagerly filled a workshop on sharing their faith and boldly testified about their faith later that week at a community pool.
Seventeen professions of faith in Christ and 35 rededications of faith were recorded among the campers.
“I think it was an overwhelming process,” Dundas said. “We had no behavior problems at all. They showed up and behaved. The kids were sensitive and ready to respond.”
Organizers are hoping for similarly positive results from next year's camp, scheduled for June 7-11 at Baylor.
“We accomplished everything we set out to do which was connect people and help them grow in their faith,” Dundas concluded.
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