Dean
HeltonLocalMinistrySt
rategy
RLGN489
ProfessorCartwright
LocalMinistrySurvey
SummerCamp:
1. Name:Ex-CampBellevue,CampMidSouth,CampAllIn
2. MissionStatement:Ex-“AllIn”,“Changinglivesforthebettermentofhis
Kingdom through adventure and discipleship”
3. Whatisthepurpose?Bellevue’svisionistobeacatalystforagreatawakeningin
the Memphis area and beyond, and what better way to strive for that goal than by
buildingthiscampministrywhichwillbringadifferentapproachtoachievethatvision.
4. Whoisourtarget?TheintercitylowincomefamiliesofMemphis.Youthofthe
GreaterMemphisareaandsurroundingareas.
5. WhatAssociation?AmericanCampAssociation,ChristianCamp&Conference
Association
6. WhatTypeofcamp?Religious,Day,Overnight,Independent,Group/Church,
Family,Father&Son/Mother&Daughter
7. Whattypeofownership?Nonprofit,profit,businessstatus
8. WhataretheFinancialObjectives?Profit,investors,plannedsubsidy,break-even
operation
9. WhattypeofLocationandFacilities?Seasonal?Necessities?Eye Catchers?
10. Programing:Age of campers, head count of campers, head count of
counselors/centralstaff,lengthofsessions,howmanysessions,structureofactivities,
materials for programing
11. WhatistheMarketingLayout?TargetClientele,industrystandards…whathas
workedforothercamps?Competition,Marketingplan:Recruitingforstaff,drawingin families
12. Whatdoesmanagementlooklike?Keyindividualsandduties andwhowillreport
tothem:administration,centralstaff,programing,outdooradventureprogram,special skills,
counselors, kitchen staff, maintenance, nurses, etc.
13. Whataretheneedsfortheoffice?Equipment,onlinesignupprogram, inventory
ofmerchandise,insurance,medicalfiles, etc.
14. Howmuchdoesitcosttostartup?Whatarewewillingtoinvest,howmuchdo we need
to raise, what are the legal fees, analysis of federal, state, county, municipal
regulations, and taxes required to operate, programing materials and office materials
15. Howwillweearnthemoneyback?Tuition/fees,incomeandexpenses,whatis
the3-5yearprojection?
Growing up, camp was a huge part of my life. That is where most of my childhood
memoriescomefrom.SummercampwasaplacewhereIfoundfriends,whereIlearnedhowto
have a relationship with Jesus, and how I kept myself busy and out of mischief. Summer camp
impactedmesomuchgrowingupthatIbecameasummercampcounselor.Mostofmysummers of my
entire life consist of camp. Through all my positions I have been able to see and experience
thepositivesandnegativesofthe ministry.That iswhyIchose toputtogethera local ministry plan for a
summer camp. Obviously there are many factors that come into play when planning any type of
ministry, but I was taken back to how much detail goes into planning a summer camp.
Before the ministry can even begin there has to be a vision or purpose to why this local
ministry plan should be done. For this particular ministry plan my vision was to partner
alongside Bellevue Baptist Church’s mission and impact the children and youth of the Greater
Memphis area. It is sad to say that I live in one of the “Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities” in the
nation,accordingtoForbes.HavinglivedheremyentirelifeIknowtheroottotheproblem,and it is the
lack of the gospel in the homes in our area. The amount of people in Memphis who belong in
the lower income bracket is greater than even the average income number across the state. Thus
parents are having to work several jobs, there are quite a few of single parent’s families, and so
these children and youth are stuck at home through the summer and weekends with no
supervision. Bellevue’s vision is to be a catalyst for a great awakening in the Memphis area and
beyond, and what better wayto strive for that goal than bybuilding this camp ministry which will
bring a different approach to achieve that vision. What these kids need is a unique type of
ministry to not only keep them busy and out of trouble, but also a positive influence in their
lives. I believe that bringing a day summer camp to this area would not only help our city, but it
would also advance the Kingdom.
Along with thevision and purpose, there must beaplan, and in order to have theproper
plan we must seek the Lord’s guidance through it all. So what does that prayer plan look like?
For the next few months, from May toAugust of 2016 a group of leaders and myself will be
getting together twice amonthto discussand prayoverthisopportunitythatweplan toput into
effectthesummerof2017.Eachmeetingwewillbediscussingandprayeroverdifferenttopics. This
willalloweachindividualtobeginprayinginadvanceforthatparticularmeeting,andalso bring ideas
and thoughts to the table. Our 8 week prayer plan will look something like this: 1) Camp
Mission/Curriculum2) Logistical Preparation 3) Leadership Team 4)Programing 5)
Qualifications 6) Staff 7)Attendants & Families 8) Facilities & Marketing.
The sole purpose of this ministry will be to share the gospel. From my previous
experience with camps, the biggest tool for doing this is not the curriculum, or the program, or
even the fun activities, but rather the staff and leadership involved.Asecular quote by Jillian
Farrar, backs this up perfectly. “Success is not created by one person but by a team that comes
together as one.”Ateamis a group of individuals who areall working for the same goal, and in
this case it is to impact kids’lives through discipleship and adventure. 1 Corinthians 12:20-25
says, “As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no
need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts
of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we
think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with
greatermodesty,whichourmorepresentablepartsdonotrequire.ButGodhassocomposedthe body,
giving greater honor to the part that lacked it.” Christ can use even those who we do not feel fit
to impact his kingdom.To have a successful summer camp ministry the biggest priority should
be to find Christ centered, disciple making, active, followers of Christ.
Now that we have established what the most important factor of sharing the gospel is,
howwillwedoit?Througheveryactivity,everysongtheylearn,andeverygametheyplaythere should be
infuses on the scripture throughout. It is our duty to partner alongside the church and their
families to teach these children biblical literacy. It is so easy for us to tell the kids about Jesus,
but it is more affective if we can show them through games, songs, and even take home
material.Arecent report from the Institute of Medicine states that, “The more active and hands on
kids are the faster they process things and have a better comprehension of what is being taught.”
In order for us to see how the gospel is going to be a part of the camp we have to know what the
camps programing and demographics are going to look like.
This summer camp, name not created yet, will take place on the property of Bellevue
Baptist Church. Bellevue is blessed with great facilities and acres to have activities on. Each
session is broken up into weeks, and each week will have a different theme or main topic of
interest,whetherthatbemusic,acertainsport,orprogramtheme(Olympics,WildWest,Pirates, 4th of
July).These sessions will run from May 30th thruAugust 5th and is only offered on week days.
The purpose of this camp, like we have previously stated is to act as a day care almost.
Thus, the morning care will start at 7:30am and the actual camp will begin at 8:30am. The
morning session will consist of the specific skill activities that the kids chose for that week.
Lunchwillbeprovidedforthoseattending.Bellevue’sCulinaryMinistrywillprovidethemeals.
Afterdoingasurvey,oneofthebiggestthingsinnercitychildrenmissoutonduringthesummer
ishavingaluncheveryday,whichisnormallyprovidedbytheschooltheyattend.Theafternoon
sessionwillactasmoreofacampwidegame/lessontime,andforthosewhoneedaftercare,that will be
provided from 4:00pm- 6:00pm.
I am a big dreamer and the more I sit, pray, and think about this ministry plan,the more
excitedIget.Iwouldlovefortheretoeventuallybeindividuallessonstaughtforspecialinterest,
suchasmusiclessons,vocallessons,tutoring,etc.This wouldobviouslyrequirestafferswhoare
qualified and even for some situations certified to teach.Any way to reach the community
aroundusthebetter.Ialsohaveagoaltoeventuallyhaveafamilyweekendeventthroughoutthe summer
so that the children and families can be fed, enjoy games together, and hear the gospel.
The biggest concern through all of this is, where will the fund come from? There
obviously has to be a fee for those attending, but if we are trying to reach the famileis and
childreninthelowerincomebracketthenwehavetolowerthepricesoftuition,offerfreebefore and after
care (which most camps do not), and ask the church or a local organization to partner
alongsideusandhelp withthe funding.Anotherconcernishowwewillmarket thiscamp.There are not
a lot of camps in the local area and so I don’t think people are out looking for one.We have to go
and bring these people in. Promoting it via billboard, signs along the street, flyers, email, U.S.
Mail, and even word of mouth will help bring this camp to light. I think it would be greatfor us
to plan apre“backyard bibleschool” type eventto showcaseto thecommunitywhat our summer
camp is going to be like.
Lastly I think it will be important to evaluate the event once it has taken place. Theredoes
need to be a leadership team put in place who ultimately makes the decisions in regards to the
camp, and I think it would be wise to offer a survey via email to those who attended. Once
thesummerisoverthereshouldbeadaysetasideforevaluatingeveryaspectoftheministryand putting
together a new and improved ministry plan for the next year. “Wise men and women are always
learning, always listening for fresh insights.” (Proverbs 18:15) This weekend or day
wouldbeagreattimetolookatallofthepeoplewhomadedecisionstofollowChristthroughout
the summer and touch base with them to invite them into the church and give them materials to
helpthemcontinuouslybuildarelationshipwithJesus.Thisministrymightsay“summer”,butit is a
year around commitment to invest in the lives of those in the community in the name of Jesus
Christ.
