The 4th annual PB Christian Soccer Camp was nothing short of a "save" earlier this month. With forecasts that week reflecting 80-90 percent chance of showers, campers in the triple digits and a host of last minute sick coaches, camp management was praying for a miracle while preparing to play ball in the rain. At the last moment, you guessed it, Jesus saved camp!
The sun rose brightly and early on day one as coaches, youth and volunteers pulled up to the fields. Within a few shorts hours, Black River Soccer Complex was converted into a mass agility workout space with extra water stations well dispersed to prevent dehydration. Fields were divided per age group, and games were set up to showcase the multitude of drills that would be performed that day.
Children began to arrive and upon check-in, received their very own soccer ball, water bottle, wristband, soccer back pack, and T-shirt -- all themed in a neon orange color and a neat picture of Jesus as a goalie, doing what he does -- saving. The kids were challenged each day with scripture and skills with an extra emphasis on love, teamwork, humility and sportsmanship.
Sponsors such as Subway and Newman Amusement provided sandwiches for every child and volunteer each day to ensure energy levels were maintained. Kona Ice was a new addition this year, allowing campers to leave with a refreshing snow cone after a hard day of work. Pastors Nathan Coleman, Adam Fears and Amanda Wolfram visited with the kids during lunch to discuss their daily devotional based around the biblical themes. Theses devotionals left strong impressions on the hearts and soccer balls of each child. They decorated their sports equipment with verses that defined their impression of Christ.
On the last day, parents and family members were invited to join their children for a game day filled with surprises. hey played zorb soccer, jumped on bounce houses, ran in hamster balls and eventually ran down a soccer field lined with parents who held over 6,000 water balloons as ammunition! The storms in sight simply went around the fields leaving a cool breeze and an amazing end of camp! All children left with a few individual photos and a certificate for a free Pizza Hut personal pan pizza.
We asked camp director and coach Travis Gowen, "What makes this camp continue to see growth and success?" He replied, "Jesus. Simple as that. He allows my wife and I to be his hands and feet." Amanda Gowen said, "This camp would not be possible without all of the community support. We absolutely love seeing our youth get involved and watching God use them. This year, we were blessed to watch our own 10-year-old daughter, Ireland, race home after an exhausting day to crack open her Bible and dive into his word. God really knew what he was doing years ago when he itched our souls, and found a way to incorporate our love for Him and passion for the sport."
Special thanks to Fellowship General Baptist Church, Ozark Federal Credit Union, First Choice Insurance, Pizza Hut, Rowland Dentistry, Mozark Media, River Radio, Subway, Newman Amusement, Life Radio, Moonwalkers, Space Inflatables and every single silent sponsor who did not allow a child to miss camp simply due to finances.