Camping at TBC
Young Bible enthusiasts come together to study
preaching and teaching at
Truth Bible Camp
on the campus of Tennessee Bible College
By AMY DAVIS
TBC Public Relations
(COOKEVILLE, Tenn.) It's something Jordan Danner of Livingston has wanted to do since he was 4 years old -- preach the Bible.
"There's no better profession you can do," said Jordan, a member of Swallows Chapel Church of Christ in Rickman. "Serving God should be first on everybody's list."
His day behind the pulpit came sooner than expected, though. When his congregation needed a volunteer to preach in the absence of their regular minister, the 13-year-old Livingston Academy student gladly raised his hand. But he found that the job was no easy task.
"I was sweating, and I was nervous!" he said of his six-minute sermon on baptism. "I couldn't find my notes, and I got all choked up!"
After that first preaching experience and another since then, Jordan decided that he could use a little help before making a full-time career of it.
So when he heard about Tennessee Bible College's eighth annual Truth Bible Camp -- the purpose of which is to train young men and women in the work of the church -- he knew it was an opportunity he wanted to take advantage of.
There he joined approximately 20 other young Bible enthusiasts on July 16 for a four-day stay on the college campus in Cookeville, where the group enjoyed a variety of activities, including sermon preparation classes, Bible studies, devotionals, Christian service training and recreation.
And, according to the campers, it was time well spent. Here's what some of them had to say about their Truth Bible Camp experience:
Andrea Beason, a 17-year-old Pickett County High School student, said she came to camp to "learn more about the Bible and to meet new people."
Daughter of Darrell and Donna Beason of Monroe and a member of Swallows Chapel Church of Christ, she said she would like to be a Bible class teacher.
The best part about camp?
"Everything!" she said. "There is no special part. I loved it all!"
She added, "I have really enjoyed all of the wonderful things that this camp had to offer. I am hopefully planning to attend next year. I really enjoyed every one of the speakers, and I also wanted to say that I greatly appreciate all of the people that donated a lot of food and also the ladies that prepared it. Everyone worked extremely hard to have everything ready for camp, and I send them my thanks and appreciation."
Rachel Criswell, a 15-year-old Daniel 1 Academy student who attends Rocky Point Missionary Baptist Church, said she wanted to come to camp "to meet new people that are Christians, and I wanted to understand more about the Bible."
"Coming to the camp has been great," she said. "I've made friends and played games. We had very interesting classes and really good teachers. So this camp has been great."
In the future, Rachel would like to be a church nursery helper "because I love working with kids and being creative."
Her sister, Emily Criswell, age 14, also a Daniel 1 student, said she wanted to come to camp because "it sounded fun."
Like Rachel, she said she would enjoy working in a church nursery. She said the best part about camp is "making new friends."
Rachel and Emily are the daughters of Larry and Shirley Criswell of Cookeville.
Thirteen-year-old Avery Trace Middle School student Ann Marie Anderson came to camp "because I love learning more about the Bible and meeting new people."
The daughter of Stanley and Samantha Anderson of Cookeville, Ann Marie said the most important thing she learned at camp was how to be a good Bible school teacher. She attends Northeast Church of Christ.
Representing Livingston at Truth Bible Camp were Livingston Middle School students Corey Phillips and Taylor Thompson, who are both 13 years old and members of West End Church of Christ.
What's the most important thing Corey learned at camp?
"It's all important," he said.
Corey, who is the son of Rodney and Diane Phillips, also enjoyed singing and playing basketball.
Taylor, son of Bennie and Lori Thompson, said he thought going to camp would be a "good experience" to learn to "preach or teach."
"If I become a Bible teacher, it will give me good ideas," he said.
He is also interested in doing other work with the church, including leading in singing, serving the Lord's Supper and being a missionary.
Mallory Hill, a 17-year-old Cookeville High School student, and her 12-year- old brother, Pate Hill, an Avery Trace Middle School student, also enjoyed Truth Bible Camp.
Why did they want to go?
Mallory said, "I want to learn more about the Bible and learn how to become a Bible class teacher."
Pate said he wanted "to have fun with fellow brethren and to learn more about God's word."
The most important thing Mallory said she learned at camp was "how to really learn the Bible."
"This camp has also taught us how we should be in character and as an example to others," she said.
In addition to being a Bible class teacher, Mallory said she would like to some day go on a missionary trip. She also plans to take courses at Tennessee Bible College, as well as Tennessee Tech University.
Pate said the best part about camp was "sports and devotionals." He said he has also learned how to be a better Christian.
Mallory and Pate are the children of David and Lisa Hill of Cookeville, and they are members of Northeast Church of Christ.
Joshua Knight, a 19-year-old Tennessee Tech University student from Portland, chose to come to camp because "I had heard from others that it was great training and full of fun."
He is a member of Hillcrest Church of Christ, where he leads singing and also preaches on Wednesday evenings and occasionally on Sunday. He has already completed a course in world religions at Tennessee Bible College and plans to take others.
What's the most important thing Joshua learned at camp?
"There are so many things I've learned that I can't choose one thing that's benefitted me most," he said.
Joshua is the son of Hal and Pam Knight.
Nine-year-old Heather Hunter, a student at Jere Whitson Elementary School in Cookeville, attended camp " 'cause I wanted to." She plans to some day be a Bible class teacher, and, when it's time to go to college, she would like to take courses at Tennessee Bible College.
She said the best part of camp was playing water balloon volleyball and also the friendship.
Heather is the great-granddaughter of Betty Reed and attends Northeast church of Christ.
Cookeville High School student Brad Cavender, 15, said the most important thing he learned at camp was "how to be a better person each day."
He wanted to come to camp so he could "learn and spend time with friends." He also enjoyed playing sports. His future plans include becoming a Bible class teacher.
Brad, who attends Northeast Church of Christ, is the son of Tim and Margie Cavender.
Also representing the Northeast congregation was 14-year-old Brock Ealey, son of Mike and Margaret Ealey of Cookeville.
A student at Avery Trace Middle School, Brock said he wanted to come to camp "to learn more about the Bible" and "to fellowship with Christian friends."
He also enjoyed lunch and basketball.
Others attending camp included John Isom Dicken, Tyler McHenry, Trent Whitehead, Tyler Hill and Susan Wheeler.
Truth Bible Camp concluded on Wednesday evening, July 19, with the campers and their families attending Bible study at Northeast Church of Christ. Three of the young men -- Jordan Danner, Taylor Thompson and Joshua Knight -- entreated the congregation with sermons they had prepared during camp.
Awards were also bestowed. The recipients, chosen by their fellow campers, are as follows:
* Most Christ-Like Girl: Andrea Beason
* Most Christ-Like Boy: Joshua Knight
* Top Camper: Jordan Danner
Now three-sermons strong, an even more enthusiastic Jordan Danner says he wants to continue preaching at every opportunity.
"I just really want to go ahead and get used to it," he said.
After high school, Jordan, who is the son of Rich and Regina Danner of Livingston, says he plans to attend Tennessee Bible College and major in religious education -- and then be a preacher.
Why?
"The word of God needs to be spread," he said. "There's not many people left to do it."
And he'd rather be one of the few.
* For information about next year's Truth Bible Camp, call camp director David Hill at (931)526-2616. For more information about Tennessee Bible College, which is located at 1616 McCulley Road in Cookeville, visit the website at www.tn-biblecollege.edu.