Songs, sun send teens to beach for weekend

Some 280 Baptist youth and choir leaders from Alabama did the thing a lot of students do during spring break — hang out with friends and spend time in Gulf Shores.
   
But spring break for these youth also included something spiritual. The young vocalists from 15 Alabama Baptist churches gathered in Gulf Shores March 24-26 during an annual youth music weekend sponsored by the State Board of Missions’ (SBOM) office of worship leadership and church music.
   
Keith Hibbs, associate at the SBOM, coordinated the weekend.
   
“We like to provide a mass choir experience for young people,” Hibbs said.
   
According to Hibbs, the choir “starts its six works from scratch.” There are seven “pretty intense rehearsal” times Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday night. The choir then performs in morning worship services at First Baptist Church, Gulf Shores.
   
Beth Lumpkin has participated in the music retreat weekend for four years. A high school senior and member of First Baptist Church, Lynette, she said the weekend impacts her youth choir both musically and spiritually.
   
“I really enjoy singing when I’m down there,” she said. “We can praise God through music. We don’t get many opportunities to praise with that many young people. It’s an awesome experience.
   
“(The weekend) makes a world of difference,” she continued. “It’s a wonderful experience for any youth group.” Lumpkin also recognized Hibbs for his hard work. “Keith Hibbs does a great job of picking out music and planning the weekend.”
   
The weekend takes place at Quality Inn Beachside. The youth also enjoyed a beach-side cookout as well as putt-putt golf and riding go-carts.
   
The choir was under the direction of David Keith from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Chris Kihn from Louisville, Ky., was the accompanist.
   
The event, which Hibbs said revitalizes youth choirs in the local church, is held the first weekend of spring break each year. For more information about next year’s music retreat or upcoming music events, contact the SBOM at 1-800-264-1225.