DALLAS—Every year after Super Summer, students and leaders comment they want an event during the school year that would tie them back to the lessons they learned and the friends they made during the summer. On April 10, they will get their wish.
For the first time, the Baptist General Convention of Texas youth evangelism office, in conjunction with Dallas Baptist University, will host Super Summer Reunion, an afternoon packed with worship, reconnecting with friends and a preview of what’s to come this year.
Super Summer Reunion will be April 10 at Dallas Baptist University.
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“We have a desire for the students to be inspired and reminded about what all God did in their lives last summer and a desire to allow them to rekindle the relationships they had during the summer. And we desire to help them prepare for this coming summer,” said Leighton Flowers, director of youth evangelism for the BGCT, which sponsors Super Summer—a youth leadership training experience held during five sessions each summer.
The event will be held at Dallas Baptist University on April 10 from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. This schedule was created to give students and youth leaders a chance to reconnect or for others to experience Super Summer for the first time within a reasonable amount of time and in a cost-effective way, Flowers said.
In a few hours, students will experience some of the Super Summer goals of giving students an opportunity to participate in focused teaching and a disciplined schedule challenging them and equipping them to become the best disciple they can be.
“We want them to walk out being encouraged and empowered,” said Frank Teat, youth minister at First Baptist Church in Henderson and an organizer of the Super Summer Reunion.
“So much of the time our students are living in a world that is like a war. Far too often we do not hear this message of encouragement and empowerment that a student can make right choices and right decisions. This is a means that will motivate our young leaders to stand up for what is right and make a difference in the world around them.”
Each summer, Christian students who have complete 8th through 12th grade and have demonstrated potential leadership abilities are eligible to participate in one of the five Super Summer sessions held at Baptist universities around the state. But because the reunion is to serve as a preview, any student or adult is welcome to come to the event to see what Super Summer is about.
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“Often, youth workers and parents can’t take a week off of work to come to Super Summer, but this will let them spend one day to see what this is all about,” Teat said.
The reunion will feature the Jeff Johnson and the Skit Guys as well as Billy Beacham, Jon Randles and Lance Shumake. Cost is $10 per person, and with every five paying students, one youth leader will be allowed to enter the reunion free of charge.
“The president of DBU contacted us wanting to get more students on the campus and then to help the Super Summer students,” Flowers said. “They really asked us about ways to do that and we suggested the idea of having a one day Super Summer reunion. They thought it was a great idea and decided to host the event on their campus and sponsor the artists who are coming.”
During breaks, DBU will be giving campus tours to share with students all the amenities, degrees and opportunities offered by the university.
Alhough Super Summer was created to train Christian students to be the best leaders and disciples they can be, the reunion will offer an additional focus. Before the event ends, an evangelistic emphasis and decision time will be given.
“At Super Summer, we don’t usually have lost students there because we are training believers,” Teat said. “At Super Summer Reunion, we are hoping for something a little different and for our leaders to bring some lost students.”
Above all, Teat sees the event as a way for students to be encouraged in their relationship with Christ.
“Come and enjoy the Lord for the day and the encouragement, camaraderie and friendship developed through the years of coming to Super Summer,” Teat said.
Flowers agrees, and also encourages anyone interested in learning more about Super Summer to come to the reunion.
“If there is anyone who just doesn’t know what Super Summer is about, I know they will be inspired and encouraged, and it is a good way to see what Super Summer is all about,” Flowers said.
For more information about the event or to register for the reunion, visit www.supersummer.com.
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