Champs Camp reaches community and empowers students

HARLINGEN—Spring break offers teachers and students time away from classes, but it can create a hardship for parents working full-time jobs who can’t afford childcare. 

First Baptist Church in Harlingen meets that need each spring through Champs Camp, a weeklong sports day camp.

Champs Camp in Harlingen provided 215 children in grades one through five a week filled with fun, games, crafts, meals and a time to hear the gospel. (PHOTO / Kalie Lowrie)This year, the 18th annual Champs Camp in Harlingen provided 215 children in grades one through five a week filled with fun, games, crafts, meals and the gospel. 

Campers chose from among 12 sports, ranging from basketball and golf to dance and Tae Kwon Do. 

The city partners with the church to provide bus rides for the activities, and many businesses offer free or reduced rates for the children to use their facilities.

First Baptist subsidizes more than half the cost for each child to attend Champs Camp, Pastor Wade Hood noted.

“Our desire this year is to reach the kids who have never heard the gospel,” said Josie Alaniz, children’s minister at First Baptist and Champs Camp coordinator. “For those students who already know Jesus, we want to give them tools they can use to share their faith with their families and in their schools.”

More than 40 students with Baptist Student Ministries at Stephen F. Austin State University and Texas A&M University worked during spring break at Champs Camp, a weeklong sports day camp sponsored by First Baptist Church in Harlingen. (PHOTO / Kalie Lowrie)The camp involved volunteers from the church, community partners and more than 40 students from Baptist Student Ministries at Stephen F. Austin State University and Texas A&M University.

Alaniz served on spring-break mission trips through BSM when she attended the University of Texas-Pan American. This year, she found herself on the receiving end of the ministry the student missionaries provided.

“It’s a blessing to see the BSM students using their talents and skills to glorify the Lord to minister to these kids—to see college students leading and stepping up to see their skills,” she said. “We couldn’t do Champs Camp without their help.”

Champs Camp, a weeklong sports day camp, included a trip to the bowling alley. (PHOTO / Kalie Lowrie)Andre Juarez, a student at Texas A&M, returned to work a third year at a Champs Camp. The previous two years, he has served at the Champs Camp held at First Baptist Church in Brownwood.

“I keep coming back because of the relationships you build with the children,” Juarez said. “They grow through the week, and it’s amazing to see the spiritual growth that happens in such a short time.”

First Baptist in Harlingen has partnered with the BSM at Stephen F. Austin State University the past six years. The ministry of the Christian student leaders benefitted not only the children, but also teenagers at the church, Alaniz said.

“They are great role models for our youth, and it stirs in them a desire to come and serve at Champs Camp when they are old enough,” she said.

Four SFA students have returned to Harlingen to work as interns at First Baptist.

Volunteers leads stretching at the Champs Camp at First Baptist Church in Harlinger. (PHOTO / Kalie Lowrie)“This week has taught me about how God wants us to learn about him,” SFA student Passione Henry said. “It’s great to hear what a difference you make in a kid’s life.”

The work that happens during Champs Camp each year does not stop when the week ends, Alaniz said. The church continues to hear stories, sometimes years later, of the impact the week has on the elementary school-aged children and their families.

“It’s been great to see how Champs Camp really helps the church connect with their community and bring families into the church,” said Rebecca Hernandez, assistant BSM director at Texas A&M. “Parents have decided to come to the church because of the programs for kids. It’s a great opportunity to share with children who haven’t had any exposure to stories about Jesus.”