Debris piling steadily around him, camper Cahle Buckingham tugged firmly at another nail wedged in the dilapidated wall. Sweat dripped down his face as he triumphantly yanked it out.
“I always liked building with LEGOs, and I wanted to see what that would be like with a house,” Buckingham said.
“That’s why I really wanted to do PCY.”
PCY stands for painting, construction and yard work, one of five service areas students attending M-Fuge, or Mission Fuge, could select to work in during the missions summer camp.
M-Fuge, sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources, a division of the Southern Baptist Convention, has been in existence since 1995. More than 420,000 hours of service have been given to communities around the nation through this program. M-Fuge has eight locations across the nation and three international sites and is designed to offer youth both a summer camp experience and a personal ministry opportunity in the same week.
Although for many students, summer camp means lots of relaxation time, Buckingham and his fellow campers spent much of their time investing their talents serving the Mobile area.
“The M-Fuge purpose is to serve the community, to equip students to do ministry in their areas and to see their faith lived out and put into action,” said Melissa Lathem, site coordinator for M-Fuge at the University of Mobile (UM). “I think it teaches that the love of Christ doesn’t always have to be shared with words. M-Fuge empowers kids, letting them know that they’re equipped to go out into the community and share Christ. It also teaches them to have a heart for all people.”
Throughout this summer, approximately 2,400 teenagers and counselors from 15 states will travel to UM and spend a week away from home serving the south Alabama community. Each M-Fuge group consists of 15–25 youth ages 12 and up and a leader — a college or university student hired on the basis of his or her experience in a particular area of service.
Over the course of eight weeks, campers will minister at 47 different locations in the Mobile area.
Some M-Fuge campers brave the hot, humid temperatures of summers in south Alabama to do yard and construction work at places such as Light of the Village in Prichard. Other groups spend their time indoors working with children at locations like the Salvation Army or with senior citizens at Baptist Oaks Apartments.
Every evening, campers return to the UM campus for a worship service, church group time and Night Life — a time for games and fun.
While campers have plenty of fun, they also learn more about themselves and the positive impact they can have on their local community.
Buckingham, who is from First Baptist Church, Hopkinsville, Ky., said M-Fuge gave him the chance to achieve a major goal. “I’ve always wanted to minister to people, and this seemed like a perfect choice to do that. At M-Fuge, you’re doing something for God and you’re working really hard and it will all pay off in the end.”
Kathy Dean, UM director of public relations, said, “Community service is an area our students and faculty focus on at the University of Mobile, and hosting M-Fuge is one of the many ways we can make a difference in the lives of people in south Alabama.
“It’s invigorating and inspiring to see campers from across the nation approach this ministry with such energy and enthusiasm.” (UM)
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