Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists (KNCSB)

Campers challenged to set examples

Campers at Hispanic Super Summer crowded the stage and put all their energy into singing “Cambiaré Mi Trigueza” (“Trading My Sorrows”). Hispanic Super Summer marked its fifth anniversary during the 2008 camp. It was held June 23-27 at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan. (Photo by Eva Wilson)

“Y’all know what time it is? It’s time to … ,” Ryan Fontenot asked Super Summer campers.

” … WAKE UP!”

That was how Fontenot began a morning “Wake Up” teaching session during Super Summer Week 2. The annual KNCSB youth camps run through Aug. 8 at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan.

Fontenot of Keller, Texas, was camp pastor for Week 2 and also will be featured for Week 3.

The 2008 Super Summer theme is “Wake Up!” It is based on Romans 13:11.

Adults place high expectations on youth in such areas as sports and academics. However, the opposite is true for spiritual matters, resulting in “dumbed-down” expectations, Fontenot said.

But he challenged campers to heed 1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but for the believers, set an example.”

Setting an example includes speech and conduct, Fontenot continued.

The old saying of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm” isn’t true.

While growing up, Fontenot’s brother told him, “Dude, you’re fat. You’re always gonna be fat.”

As an adult, Fontenot carries those words with him, regardless of how much he works out and strives to stay in shape.

“Are your words building people up or slicing them apart?” He challenged campers to use “beautiful words, not brutal words.”

Concerning conduct, Fontenot asked, “Is your life any different than your friend who doesn’t know Jesus?”

As he dismissed the group to go to the B.L.A.S.T. games, he said, “It is time, ladies and gentlemen, that we raise the bar. It is time that we …”

” … WAKE UP!”

See photos from Super Summer at http://justforyouth.com/gallery/