Middle-schoolers from six southeastern states converged on Judson College in Marion this summer for five CrossPoints Sports Camps. Judson is only one of several campuses across the nation providing space for the camps, but the college has the distinction of having sponsored camps for seven years.
Matt Walton, who graduated last year from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky., served as director and camp pastor for the Marion camps. “We call it a sports camp because we offer instruction in 10 different sports,” Walton explained.
“We offer elementary instruction for beginners, or more advanced instruction for those with some skills. And just because someone has played baseball or soccer or some other sport doesn’t mean they gravitate to that track. We encourage campers to try something new.”
CrossPoint’s mission statement declares that each camp will try to instill athletic excellence and present the message of Jesus Christ. Accordingly there is daily Bible study and nightly worship.
LifeWay Christian Resources enlists staffers from their applicant pool after a rigorous interview process.
Sixteen staffers from as far away as Indiana and Texas have superintended the camps in Marion this year.
This is Walton’s third summer to be a CrossPoint staffer, and his second year at Judson. “Churches love to come here,” he said. “The small town atmosphere isn’t as noisy or congested as other places, and it’s a restful break from the pace of city life.”
Ricky Clements, Judson facilities director, agreed. “We’ve begun already coordinating the dates and schedule for next year with the LifeWay folks in Nashville.” Clements said. “Judson’s camp is always the first camp to fill up. Twenty-five of the 44 churches we’ve has this year are from Alabama. They know us and they enjoy coming every year. We see a great advantage for the college since we have students who first came to Judson as CrossPoint campers.”
Walton noted that another plus for Judson campus is the availability of the Marion Military Institute (MMI) campus down the street.
“We use both campuses,” he said.
“Mr. Clements and Coach (Pat) Knight at MMI are great to work with.”
Clements explained that the Judson campers use a number of facilities at MMI, including the gym, baseball, and football fields and the track.
CrossPoint campers and chaperons learn other skills in addition to the sports instruction. Special instruction is offered each afternoon in choral music, drama, puppet ministry and other areas.
Evening worship features contemporary music, videos and drama.
“I’m the camp preacher, too,” Walton said, “but I only preach 15 or 20 minutes. The worship is pretty lively. The adult chaperons from the churches find that this might not be their cup of tea, but they know that this is what their kids like and they’re very supportive.”
It’s been all work for the 16 camp leaders this summer, however. Walton jokingly said he and his fellow staffers enjoyed their 24 hours off between each of the five camps.
They made a shopping trip to Birmingham, floated down the Cahaba river in innertubes, golfed at MMI’s course and look forward to a river outing at the conclusion of camp courtesy of Judson vice president Mark Tew and his wife, Ann.
“We’ve registered something over 50 first-time decisions for Christ at Judson this summer,” Walton said. “All we do is for the purpose of introducing boys and girls to Jesus Christ who makes a wonderful difference in their lives.”
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