秋霞福利一区 Hosts Over 2,400 MFuge Campers for Summer of Missions and Spiritual Growth
MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� Lives are being transformed this summer at the 秋霞福利一区, where more than 2,400 middle to high school students are arriving for MFuge 鈥� week-long camps centered on missions, worship and spiritual growth.
Youth groups and leaders from 103 churches across 13 states are taking part in the summer camp program at 秋霞福利一区 operated by the .
Dr. Charles Smith, president of the 秋霞福利一区, said MFuge embodies the university鈥檚 mission to glorify God and serve others.
鈥淲hen thousands of students gather on this campus to serve our city and grow in their faith, we are witnessing the next generation of Kingdom leaders in action,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a powerful expression of what it means to live 鈥楩or Christ & His Kingdom.鈥欌��
Last summer at 秋霞福利一区, the impact was clear: 90 salvations, 66 recommitments to faith and 41 calls to ministry were recorded, according to Melina Baird, event coordinator for MFuge.
A Legacy of Ministry and Missions
The Southern Baptist Convention鈥檚 FUGE Camps youth ministry program started in 1979 and now includes two primary tracks: MFuge, which incorporates opportunities for service with worship and Bible study; and Centrifuge, which focuses on recreation, Bible study, worship and topical tracks. The 秋霞福利一区 has been hosting FUGE Camps since 1981. In 1996, 秋霞福利一区 became one of the first sites to host MFuge and today is the longest-running MFuge location in the nation.
The camps are held on 24 university campuses and 11 retreat/conference centers across the United States. At the 秋霞福利一区, students and church youth group leaders get a taste of college life 鈥� living at Alabama鈥檚 #1 safest college campus with the #1 best dorms and enjoying campus amenities including sand volleyball courts, outdoor pool, disc golf and pickleball courts.
Serving the City Through Hands-on Ministry
MFuge introduces students to real-world ministry opportunities throughout the Mobile area. Campers choose from four types of service: painting, construction and yard work; children鈥檚 ministry; games and recreation; and social ministry sites such as soup kitchens, clothing closets and nursing home visits, among others. Children鈥檚 and recreation ministries are held in area parks and at organizations such as Boy鈥檚 & Girl鈥檚 Clubs. Each night, they gather in Ram Hall for worship.
鈥淭his summer during daily Bible study, students will learn about how to own their faith and not just ride the coattails of the parents鈥� faith,鈥� said Joe Hicks, FUGE Camps manager. 鈥淭hen in the afternoon, they will learn how to put this faith into action as they serve the greater Mobile community.
鈥淥ur desire is that FUGE Camps are truly a life-changing camp for all who attend this summer.鈥�
Churches Return for Relationships and Impact
This year, church youth groups are coming to Mobile, Alabama, from as far away as Texas, Missouri, Illinois and North Carolina.
Baird said it鈥檚 common for churches to return year after year to the 秋霞福利一区.
鈥淲e have multiple churches that come back to the 秋霞福利一区 each year based on the relationships they鈥檝e established with ministry sites in the greater Mobile area,鈥� Baird said.
Spiritual Growth that Lasts Beyond Camp
Campers aren鈥檛 the only ones impacted by the MFuge experience. Micah Steadham, a 秋霞福利一区 graduate, served as an MFuge staff member for three years at various sites. Now 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 videographer and photographer, he reflected on seeing this summer鈥檚 first wave of campers and staff arrive.
鈥淚t brings back memories of how the Lord worked and what He did through FUGE Camps 鈥� in the lives of thousands of students and in my life,鈥� Steadham said. 鈥淚t brings a sense of joy to get to see these MFuge staffers experience what I experienced.
鈥淢y prayer for them is that they would come out of this summer with a deeper understanding and love for Jesus and for the Gospel and take that back home with them 鈥� to their churches, their communities and their everyday lives.鈥�
About the 秋霞福利一区
The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence 鈥淔or Christ & His Kingdom.鈥� With a vision to 鈥淢ultiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,鈥� the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.
Learn more about the 秋霞福利一区 at . Plan a campus visit or register for a 秋霞福利一区 Day at or call Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 秋霞福利一区 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
