Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists (KNCSB)

Hispanic Super Summer marks sixth year

Afternoon workshops during KNCSB Hispanic Super Summer covered a variety of interests, including preaching, music, drama and sports evangelism. One of the more unusual—and popular—workshops gave campers a view of life in the military. Carlos Bluvan (standing), camp co-director, is a veteran of the U.S. Marines. He led campers through a somewhat kinder and gentler version of Marine boot camp.

KNCSB Hispanic Super Summer continues to grow.

The sixth annual camp was held June 22-26 at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan. It kicked off the 2009 KNCSB summer youth camps as it did in 2008. “Rebellion” was the 2009 camp theme, based on Romans 12:2.

This year’s camp saw a total attendance of 134 people. This was up from 120 in 2008.

Juan Carlos Veloso, Hispanic pastor in Bellevue, Neb., had just arrived on the field in 2008. He and his wife came by themselves to Hispanic Super Summer. But this year they brought 22 campers.

Jess Bluvan and his wife, Darlene, are starting a new Hispanic ministry in east Topeka, Kan. Although their ministry is just beginning, they were able to bring one camper to Hispanic Super Summer.

“I was excited that [they] were able to bring one,” said his brother Carlos Bluvan, who served as camp co-director. Jesús Leal of Great Bend, Kan., was the other camp director. His wife, Francis, is a sister of Jess and Carlos Bluvan. Their parents are Enrique and Francisca Bluvan. Enrique Bluvan is Hispanic church planter strategist in Western Kansas Baptist Association.

During evening worship sessions, camp pastor Abraham Arevalo used the “Rebellion” theme to help campers learn how to be positive rebels for Christ. Arevalo is Hispanic church planter strategist in Heart of Kansas Southern Baptist Association.

Morning classes were divided by gender. Ed and Luisette Kraal were the teachers. They are from the Caribbean island nation of Curaçao. The Kraals are students at Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas.

Summer missionaries from Rio Grande Bible Institute played key roles in operating the camp.

Afternoon workshops covered a variety of interests, including preaching, music, drama and sports evangelism. One of the more unusual—and popular—workshops gave campers a view of life in the military. Carlos Bluvan led that session. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marines. Bluvan led campers through a somewhat kinder and gentler version of Marine boot camp.

In 2010, Hispanic Super Summer will once again kick off the KNCSB summer youth camps. The dates will be June 21-25.