Bible Camps will produce Legends for Christ

Summer Camp is alive and well at Glad Tidings Bible Camp (GTBC) in Cane Hall. GTBC is primarily a Youth Ministry within the Brethren Assemblies that include Gospel Hall Churches throughout SVG, from as far north as Sandy Bay, and also Georgetown, Stubbs, Mesopotamia, Belvedere, Fountain, Kingstown, Hope, Bequia and Union Island in the Southern Grenadines. GTBC consists of a very active hard-working Camp Committee that has been around for fifty-three (53) years. De primary function of GTBC is dat of hosting de Annual Junior and Senior Summer Bible Camps, introducing de Nay-shun’s children to de Christian Life. The success of GTBC is as a result of a dedicated working Committee (wid Love) headed by Chairman, Bro Tyrone Dickson, (whose camp name is Uncle

Tom), at de helm for the last forty years. The Central Executive of this Committee is comprised of a number of experienced “former Campers” long standing members of the Assemblies, as well as faithful, former campers from “near-bring Carry-Beyond” islands. De sleepless Committee functions all year round, holds

regular monthly meetings, as well as week-end retreats. Presently deys a terrible shortage of, or urgent need foh help from among Brothers, and I was asked to appeal for more male participation from among de Assemblies, in particular Christian young men in de Churches.

In the early years of the life of this Ministry, Bible Camps were held in schools throughout SVG. GTBC presently has a permanent home wid Headquarters, dorms, assembly hall, and modern camp facilities at Queen’s Drive/Cane Hall. Dis year 158 campers- young boys and girls attended Bible Camp in two

separate batches, one week apart. First batch was 93 Juniors (ages 7 to 12 years ) and de second batch of 65 Seniors (13 years and over). Camp fees were subsidized for Juniors $75. each; and seniors $150. each. But raising funds continues to be a challenge as de programme depends heavily on donations from well-wishers and Assemblies with dwindling memberships. GTBC is however encouraged every year by de testimonies, confession of faith and renewed commitments of de number of young campers. Lie-Za is confident dat Bible Camps is like tilling Spiritually Fertile Soils in which seeds will germinate, grow, and become future ‘Legends For Christ’. And wid dat is gone ah gone again.

One Love Bassy

•  Bassy Alexander is a land surveyor, folklorist and social commentator.