By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
LAFAYETTE/WOODWORTH (LBM) – More than 700 children and adult leaders met separately at two locations for the recently completed M-JAM conference, but both groups experienced a transforming day of learning how to live “Life On The Edge” for Christ.
The day-long event featured the Real Encounter Outreach team from Branson, Missouri, and Louisiana and international missionaries, with all the speakers centering their messages around the conference theme, based on Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Participants also enjoyed music by worship leaders from central Louisiana and breakout sessions about the plan of salvation, compassion ministry, BMX stunt tricks, church planting, and IMB missions.
Attendance was 178 at First Baptist Church in Lafayette March 10 and 519 at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center May 5, with the dual locales allowing participating first-through-sixth graders and their leaders to attend M-JAM closest to where they live.
“M-JAM at Tall Timbers went wonderfully well,” said Jess Archer, children/youth mission strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “We had an exciting day of meeting missionaries, hearing the Gospel message, learning about Rolling Hills Ministry right here in our state and meeting two BMX professionals who use their platform to share Christ with others. This is one event that we look forward to each year.”
Dakota Martinez, a first grader from Bethany Baptist Church, raved about the BMX demonstration by the Real Encounter team, and the opportunity to play games with his friends.
“Seeing the BMX guys do all kinds of stunts was very cool, but I also enjoyed the way they used it to tell us how Jesus died on the cross for us,” Martinez said. “M-JAM was fun with the games like Gaga Ball that we played outside, but this day was about praising God.”
Julie Broome, a second grader from First Baptist Church in Lecompte, also took away life lessons she looks forward to applying throughout the year.
“I basically learned that I don’t need to do bad things, but really try my best to do my best for Jesus,” Broome said.
Next year’s M-JAM is scheduled for March 30 at Connect Church in Algiers and May 4 at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center.
M-JAM is a Cooperative Program-funded event sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Women’s Missions and Ministry.
