100+ attend Weekend of Champions
By Sam Waller
The Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Weekend of Champions girls camp drew more than 150 participants to Solid Rock Camp at Eastland on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 4-5.
A total of 108 girls from eighth through 12th grade and 44 adult volunteers participated in the program.
“It went really well,” local FCA representative Paul Johnston, who oversaw the weekend event, said. “We had over 150 people out there – girls and adult women. It was tremendously impactful.”
Johnston was particularly pleased with the level of participation from Albany, especially the number of adult volunteers.
“We had about 20 kids out there, plus most of the volunteers came out of Albany,” he said. “Betsy Spraberry was our main speaker, and she did an incredible job presenting the program. The ladies she put in place to give testimonies and talk to the kids did a tremendous job. It was without a doubt life-changing for an awful lot of people.”
Spraberry said the event could not have happened without the efforts of the other volunteers.
“The young ladies heard talks filled with biblical truth and encouragement from five different women over the weekend,” Spraberry said. “They got to hear beautiful testimonies of God’s faithfulness from four women of all different backgrounds. The girls were led in worship by a band of very talented women.”
In addition to the weekend of worship, campers engaged in a variety of activities and games.
“We ate well, danced our hearts out at silent disco, and ate s’mores by the campfire,” Spraberry said. “Most of all, these young ladies experienced the Lord in a real way and made a decision to make Him king of their hearts. It was beautiful.”
Johnston said despite the growth the event has enjoyed in recent years, there are no plans to add more dates or seek a different venue.
“Solid Rock has the facilities to hold more,” he said.
Spraberry expects the growth to continue and is eager to help make it happen.
“We are so ready for next year and are already planning and working to make it even bigger and better,” she said. “The ladies of Albany showed up and were the hands and feet of Jesus in many ways this weekend. I give them my thanks and love.”
Boys Camp
The Weekend of Champions boys camp will take place Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 11-12 at Solid Rock. Johnston said it’s shaping up to be another big weekend.
“The boys camp is filling up,” he said. “It looks like it’s going to be equally as big. We still have room for more kids if they want to come.”
Jamey Calvery of Big Country FCA will lead the boys camp.
Cost is $120 per camper. Johnston said scholarships are available for students who otherwise could not afford to attend.
Johnston said flyers for the camp contain a QR code that will allow youth to register for the event. Online registration may be done through www.big countryfca.org/weekend-of-champions.
