Words From Our Preacher

I know we go to camp to teach young people about our Lord. As adults, we are supposed to guide them. I get that. But for 15 years I have discovered that teaching and learning is a two-way street. This year was no different. Let me tell you how our campers schooled me at Indian Creek Youth Camp. One Size Fits None Every child is unique. The differences are great. Apart from the obvious age differences and gender differences, there are deep and not so obvious distinctions among

Eastern Shore has many members, young people and older, who are at youth camp this week. Some are at Backwoods, near Rockford, Alabama and others are at Indian Creek, near Jasper, Alabama. Across the nation, young people are taking a week off from everything else and heading to Christian youth camps. There are at least four major youth camps in Alabama alone. Why leave the comfort of home for camp? 1. Fellowship There is a camaraderie among campers that is greater than that s

“Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) The wisest ever, Solomon wrote: If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold

Last week 38 from Eastern Shore spent the week in the woods of Walker County Alabama at Indian Creek Youth Camp. It rained almost every day, temperatures hovered around 90 with humidity readings near 100%. 11 of our 38 were adults who volunteered their time to shepherd a total of 148 children. It was fun and uplifting but still a challenging week. Eastern Shore had an especially good showing at camp and provided a significant number of the counselors and staff. But the questi

Spring brings the prom. It’s the social event of the year for many young people. But hidden beneath all the fancy dresses and well groomed, tuxedo-clad men lies a dangerous truth. The prom is no place for a Christian. It’s an optional event that is fraught with danger. So much so that the term “prom babies” was coined by the students themselves who know that prom night is a time of relaxed morals. A dear friend and former classmate of mine from Freed-Hardeman, Cindy Colley ha

Teens are often criticized. Their lifestyle, way of thinking, priorities and such are often assailed. While their behavior may be different than an adult’s it is not necessarily wrong. Minority teens and teens from inner city neighborhoods are especially subject to criticism. But here’s a story about two teen girls from inner city Jersey City, New Jersey. Just west of Manhattan Jersey City is the second largest city in New Jersey and racially one of the most diverse cities in

It’s for the kids! In operation since the 1970’s Indian Creek Youth Camp has seen thousands of young people enter its gates and grow in the faith with Jesus Christ. While the camp is plenty of fun it is the emphasis on the Bible that makes ICYC special. During our week of camp the schedule called for about 4 hours of Bible study or worship each day. In addition, some campers participated in the Bible Bowl in which they answered difficult questions from our theme Bible book. T

Indian Creek Youth Camp, Clark Sims week, is now over. What a great week in Walker County Alabama near Jasper, Alabama and just north of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 253 people were at the camp for the session that ran Sunday through Friday. 11 were baptized and 31 rededicated themselves to their Lord. Clark Sims, preacher for the Cottondale Church of Christ, does an outstanding job bringing people together from across the Southeast to worship, study, play and grow as Christians. Thi

Indian Creek Youth Camp begins for us today. Although Sunday is the official start date for Clark Sim’s week, we will leave today to get setup. We are expecting upwards of 250 people this week which will likely make it the largest week we have had. I know it will be a great week. Campers from all across Alabama and some from Florida will join us for a week of fun, foolishness and recreation as well as plenty of Bible study and faith building. Located in rural Walker County, A

I don’t like tattoos. I have never seen one that really appealed to me. I’m just not about to spend a small fortune marking up my body with permanent inks. (Ac But is there anything Biblically wrong with it? If so, that changes everything. If God says it is wrong then it is and that is the end of the matter. Tattoos are becoming more and more common and are showing up on the bodies of devout men and women. Some sources estimate that upwards of 15% of all Americans have a tatt

Our elders have announced that Jonathon Ling will be assume responsibilties for our youth program at Eastern Shore. Jonathon and Susan are fine Christian parents themselves and have been heavily involved in our education in the past. Previously, they served the Hoover church of Christ with duties in their education department. Jonathon will continue his work as a teacher at Daphne High School and will serve us as an associate minister on a part time basis. We are thrilled to

We enjoyed another great evening of VBS with a fine lesson from Ray Reynolds Ray Reynolds speaks to our adults. of the Gulf Shores church of Christ. Ray spoke on Solomon’s advice regarding the poor. I think we all profited from his comments and will hopefully be more attentive to those whom Jesus regarded so highly. It may be that many of us, already so blessed by our Father, actually look at the poor ith some contempt. Ray reminded us that our task is to serve and assist whe

It was good to have three of our girls back home this week. Anna Lloyd and Anna Isenhower are home from college and Alex Hartman is visiting from her new home in Washington state. They were all three at our youth cook-out Tuesday night and it was so good to see them together. Meanwhile, Jonathon Ling is doing a fine job organizing our youth activities. It’s been a busy summer and with only about three weeks left until school resumes there is still much scheduled. Jonathon has

(This article is from David Courington, a friend and preacher from Polishing the Pulpit – JBE) The song entitled “I Kissed A Girl And I Liked It” is number one this week on Billboard’s Pop chart. While lyrics like “I kissed a girl and I liked it. The taste of her cherry chapstick. I kissed a girl just to try it,” may sound pretty innocent, the next line might really wake you up, “I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it.” The song is sung by a girl, Katy Perry. Actually this song

I make my living with words but today I find it difficult to express just how great Indian Creek Youth Camp really was this year. Clark Sims begins planning this week at least 6-8 months in advance. He has handpicked a staff of assistants and counselors that is second to none. At 252 campers, this is the largest week during the camp season. This year, 29 young people put on their Lord in baptism and another 25 rededicated their lives to Christ. Among those responding were our