Fun, music and Christian fellowship brightened a recent weekend for 198 youth and chaperones from across the state at the Alabama Baptist Youth Choir Beach Retreat in Gulf Shores.
Emily Dean, a youth choir member from First Baptist Church, Lanett, said the event helped unify her own church’s group as well as presented an opportunity for new relationships.
“The time away helped bind us together as a group, and it gave us some good ideas for songs when we returned home,” Dean said. “I made some long lasting friendships and enjoyed the fellowship with other Christians and the type of music we sang.”
Keith Hibbs, retreat coordinator, said the type of music at the annual event has changed with time. “We have experimented with adapting some contemporary Christian songs that are usable by the youth choirs in their own local church settings,” explained Hibbs, who serves as an associate in the worship leadership and church music office at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM). “It was designed to be a practical experience in addition to inspiration and enjoyment for the youth.”
Nathan Gober, a member of the youth choir at Parker Memorial Baptist Church in Anniston, has attended the event for the past four years. “It helped us spiritually by learning that other youth have the same problems and challenges I have,” Gober said. “Also, it exposed me to different musical styles and a wide variety of ways to praise God through music.”
(ABSC)
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