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More than 1,200 teens from Baptist churches across the Magnolia State cherished their Super Summer experience at Mississippi College. Some campers from neighboring Louisiana, including visitors from First Baptist Church Ponchatoula, also made the journey.
The week spent building their faith, advancing their leadership skills and having fun ends July 19. After Friday’s closing ceremony at the A.E. Wood Coliseum, packed church vans head home.
Enjoying the worship band at Swor Auditorium, devouring cool pops with their Cokes in the Commons, or quietly reading their Bibles, it’s all good on the Clinton campus.
President Blake Thompson is happy to greet all the campers, but especially those from Rienzi Baptist Church. After all, it was at that small church in Alcorn County where he first met his future wife, Jana, in Vacation Bible School.
Eighteen people from Rienzi Baptist Church are visiting the Baptist-affiliated university for Super Summer. “They enjoy it and more will be coming next year,” pastor Titus Tyer said Thursday. There are 70 visitors in the delegation from Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison.
Whether they travel in vans from tiny churches or large congregations, the young people keep returning. Some become future MC Choctaws. The Mississippi Baptist Convention in Jackson and local churches support the annual activities at America’s second oldest Baptist college.
Student minister Tommy Strong of Crowder, Mississippi relished his five days leading Silver School teens. In May, the Silver team students completed their freshman year in high school. The invaluable lessons learned at MC, he said, will be soon followed up at their home churches.
It is always a treat visiting her alma mater in Clinton, said Michelle Mullins, a 1997 MC graduate. The same is true for her husband, Andy Mullins, a 1995 MC graduate and discipleship pastor at McLaurin Heights Baptist Church in Pearl.
Keeping tabs on 45 teens with the Silver School, Michele Mullins is pleased the students are so receptive to drawing closer to the Lord. “The students are here to learn, grow and dive deep into God’s word.”
Andy Mullins first attended as a Super Summer student years ago. Michele Mullins is in her fifth season serving at the church camp. The Mississippi couple, she said, have a “real heart for Super Summer.”
It’s not a case of trying hard to convince teens to sign up for church camp in the sweltering July heat. “The students are more willing to be here,” Tommy Strong said at Silver School headquarters in Nelson Hall.
The marathon of activities seldom slows down, from marching around campus with flags, singing during meals in the cafeteria or praising the Lord at worship. The teens play sports and make new friends.
“I loved meeting everybody,” said camper Mary Wilkinson, 15, of First Baptist Church Water Valley.
“The worship band is great,” said teen Caroline Huff of First Baptist Church Jackson.
Jadon Pickle, 15, of Friendship Baptist Church Grenada is delighted he’s here with the Blue School. The Deltan visited Mississippi College for last year’s Super Summer, but says the 2019 edition is even better.
