Pastor Tom Carltons interest in the Youth Challenge Program at Camp
Minden began in May 2003, after he toured the facility during a pastors
day.
Pastor Tom Carltons interest in the Youth Challenge Program at Camp
Minden began in May 2003, after he toured the facility during a pastors
day.
Little did he know what his churchs involvement in the program would
mean for the at-risk youth or for his Louisiana Baptist congregation.
When Carlton initially proposed that First Baptist Church of Doyline participate
in the program for at-risk youth – known as cadets – his congregation
expressed minimal interest.
However, after their first trip to the facility last October, he says the church
never has been the same.
“Its been phenomenal,” Carlton says. “The program has
been a shot in the arm for our church. Its amazing for it to drop in our
laps like it has done.”
Janice Nelson agrees.
“I cant even describe the feeling you walk away with after helping
with the (Youth Challenge Program) each time,” adds Nelson, a member at
First Baptist Church of Doyline. “From my viewpoint, its been the
beginning of a spiritual awakening at this church.”
Operated by the Louisiana National Guard, the Youth Challenge Program offers
at-risk youth an opportunity to earn a high school graduate equivalency degree
and a chance to change their future. During a five-month residential program,
the cadets are taught self-discipline, leadership and responsibility in a military
environment. They then engage in a 12-month mentoring program off-site.
Young people involved in the program are hungry for involvement from area churches,
says Randy Hales, director of missions for the Webster-Claiborne Baptist Association.
“They are on their last ditch effort and are reaching out for anything
to help them,” he explains.
“The churches are there to lift them up.”
Six years ago, Antioch Baptist Church in Minden became involved with the Youth
Challenge Program. Since then, First Baptist Church of Doyline, Heflin Baptist
Church in Heflin, First Baptist Church of Minden and an independent African-American
church all have participated in the ongoing state program.
“All of the churches that have participated in the program have come back
all fired up,” Hales says.
“As for First, Doyline, it has been a real positive experience and provided
them a real connection with the kids.”
An average of 25 members from the church attend a worship service once a month
at Camp Mindens chapel.
After each service – which includes music using a CD player and a message
by Carlton – the church members visit with the cadets and counsel anyone
with questions about Jesus Christ.
The first Sunday the church held a service at Camp Minden, 18 cadets accepted
Christ as their personal savior. Carlton says salvation decisions have been
recorded each time they have held services at the camps chapel.
Carlton says the excitement his church members have shown as a result of involvement
with the Youth Challenge Program is phenomenal. “Its a dream come
true for a new pastor to see something like this happen,” he explains.
“We have an opportunity to work with a lot of young people we wouldnt
ever meet,” adds Steve Causey, a member at First Baptist Church of Doyline.
“Its very refreshing to see what a church can do when theyre
willing to reach out to others outside its ministry circle.”
The Youth Challenge Program has given many members of the Doyline church a
chance to lead someone to Christ for the first time, Carlton says.
“People said they couldnt (lead others to Christ), but when they
got down to it, they discovered that they could,” he points out. “Theyre
finding out they dont have to have extensive training to lead others to
the Lord.”
Ray McCormick drives a van that transports members from First Baptist Church
of Doyline to Camp Minden.
“Its always been hard for me to lead someone to Christ,” he
says. “As far as sitting down and leading someone to Christ, this was my
first time. Its an amazing feeling you get by doing that.”
To date, 29 of the cadets who accepted Christ as their personal savior have
been baptized during one of three services in the First Baptist Church of Doyline
baptistry.
“Everyone likes to measure success by baptisms, but theres so much
more weve done with them,” Carlton says.
“Its icing on the cake.”
Larry Dean says witnessing the baptisms is something he never dreamed would
happen. He says it proves that, with God, all things are possible.
“The baptisms are a drop in the bucket,” explains Dean, a deacon
who baptized cadets during a service last May. “Seeing these young lives
change is unbelievable.
“I thought it was a thrill for us to pray the sinners prayer with
the cadets,” he adds. “When the pastors asked the deacons to baptize
them, it was even greater.”
Causey says the Youth Challenge Program baptism services have been the highlight
of his Christian experience.
“We coast along and go to church,” Causey says.
“But when you get involved with a ministry like this, you see what its
all about.”