The Christian Education Committee of First Baptist Church Clinton is planning a workshop for youth. At first glance, this workshop may sound a bit unusual for a church to conduct, but when looked into more closely there is true Biblical truths found in what they are trying to do.
The 900 College St. Baptist church is holding its first Youth Health and Fitness Workshop Saturday, April 28, starting at 8:30 a.m. with registration and a nutritious continental breakfast.
The Rev. Thomas Farrow Jr., the church’s pastor, shared that it was a bit different for a church to hold such a program but noted that with today’s world the way it is, he believes it is something the church needs to be dealing with as it seeks to grow Christians.
“It may seem a bit strange for the church to be talking about health and fitness., but the fact is that health and fitness go hand-and-hand with spiritual health. Today’s young people are subject to poor eating habits, along with a variety of other factors that play into making them unhealthy individuals, both physically and spiritually,” asserted Farrow.
The education committee has planned a program that will include sessions based on issues that are very current and prevalent in their lives. Dr. Theodore Thomas will speak to the large group on healthy nutrition and Clinton High School assistant principal Tony Faison will address manners and etiquette which will include dress and appearance.
“We hope that Tony will be able to influence the young people that attend, showing them that how they appear not only represents them but their relationship to God. And that first impressions do really matter,” stressed committee member Juanita German.
Following these two sessions, the group will be divided into smaller groups based on age. Group A will consist of young people from 7 to 11 years of age and Group B will be young people age 12 to 18.
Group A will have an exercise session with Anna Peele from Sampson’s Healthy Carolinians. They will also address bullying and peer pressure, discussions which will be led by Sampson Middle School counselor Katrina Boykin. Their session will conclude with a rap session.
The older group will discuss topics a bit more mature but will have an exercise session led by German who is also a retired physical therapist. The largest amount of time will be spent discussing topics on sexuality, HIV/AIDS, and STDs. The teen forum will be led by the Rev. Judy Johnson-Truitt associate pastor at First Baptist. Truitt is the former senior clinical chaplain at Duke University. Group B will conclude with a rap session also.
Carol Mirelez-Monk, education committee member, shared that this program is something their group has been working on for some time. “The time has just worked that now is the appropriate time for us to hold this workshop. We all feel that it is so important for all the young people in our area to come and join us for this workshop. Hopefully the date will be a good date for the young people to come learn about being more fit and healthy ,both physically and spiritually,” stated the committee member.
Farrow stressed that this workshop is for all young people ages 7 to 18. “I have sent out letters to area churches inviting their young people. We hope to have between 60 and 80 youth here for this event,” shared the pastor.
Committee member Debra Bass, retired assistant clerk of court, stated that even though the topics listed on the program may be broad, the leaders have been instructed to go in as deep as needed to get the message across. “We desire for these young people to take away from this workshop useful information that will help them to live better lives both physically and in their spiritual walk,” expressed Bass.
“We are so aware of issues and pressures that our young people face each day. Not only in their physical being but in becoming and developing Christian being. That is why we feel so strongly and support this workshop. We are hoping to reach out and give these young lives more resources to rely on as they grow into adults. God is such a great resource for us and can be for them if we let them know about all he has to offer them,” remarked Farrow.
For more information regarding the workshop or to pre-register a number that will be coming from your group call 592-2883.
Post a Comment
