The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

ABUNDANT LIFE Bible Church wrapped up its sports camp this week at CH Reeves Junior High School, after several days of intense Flag Football action.

The camp was created to reach out to children in the community, engaging them through sports. Members of the church dedicated their time and energy to hold the camp.

“We concentrated on the CH Reeves Junior High School students, using their school grounds. We decided to choose CH Reeves for the camp because they are in the district of our church. We are trying to look at sports as a way to reach our children and build relationships with them,” said Kim Minors, office manager at Abundant Life Bible Church.

The students of CH Reeves were also joined by a Flag Football team that flew in from Apopka High School in Florida. The students visited along with their chaplain and pastor, Todd Lamphere.
Ms Minors said Pastor Todd has been the chaplain for the team for the past year. She said he brought the students over to the Bahamas because many of them gave their hearts to the lord over the past year.

“He just wants to give them an opportunity for ministry. There were 24 of them that flew in and took part in the camp,” said Ms Minors.

She said: “Our church has had a relationship with Pastor Todd for the past 15 years. We got to know him and he has been coming back and forth for other ministry outreach programs. This is the first time he has come over with a team in regards to a sports camp.”

In an interview with Tribune Religion, Pastor Todd said the students absolutely loved the experience at the camp. “For us, sports is an important way to instil discipline in young people. Teaching them the whole concept of teamwork. It is a great way for our Apopka players to bless others as they have been blessed themselves. The reception has been phenomenal for us and I hope we can make this an annual event,” said Pastor Todd.
Ms Minors said on the first day of the camp, the students practiced drills and they were taught the fundamentals of Flag Football. She said a few teachers from the CH Reeves High School assisted with the camp as well.

Ms Minors said 100 students took part on the first day. By the second day, there were 120 students attending.

“The energy and enthusiasm of the kids is amazing at the camp. They are polite, helpful, gracious and not complaining about anything. These kids are workers. For me, it has been wonderful getting to talk to the kids and finding out how they are feeling,” said Ms Minors.

Ms Minors said the skill level that the students all picked up with the sport, impressed her greatly. She said the Bahamas Flag Football Association has been very supportive of the camp.

“Right now, you have to be 17 and older to join a flag football team, but the association is trying to organise a youth arm of the league,” said Ms Minors.

“Every year and moving forward, we try to reach out to kids with the gospel. Last year we used soccer as our sport and this year we went with Flag Football. We want to give them the creative and positive teaching to steer them to live life in Christ,” she said.