MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – This week Meridian Community College hosts the FCA Pouncey Power Camp.
The camp is in honor of former West Lauderdale football coach Derek Pouncey.
Organizers say it was always Pouncey’s vision to develop a camp for area kids that would incorporate sports and sharing the gospel.
“This camp is a legacy that he’s left ever since his passing, and it’s been something that’s been such a great impact on the kids in the area,” said FCA Area Representative Tyler Smith.
Smith said there are over 200 kids attending the camp this year from two local Boys and Girls Club groups.
The participants are made up of middle and high school students.
“They come and we pour into them. We have what we call huddle leaders that separate them into small groups that pour the gospel into them. But then also after that, we use the platform of sports to really grow that relationship with them. Football, volley ball, soccer, all this kind of stuff. Just so we can make new friends into these kids and just build relationships with that,” said Smith.
“We’re sharing Christ with them. We’re sharing the bible. We’re sharing bible stories, but ultimately, that they have a city that loves them and a city that wants to see them thrive and do better,” said Northcrest Discipleship Pastor Beau Bredow.
Even though the camp is only three days, organizers hope the impressions made here will last a lifetime.
“Our goal here is to expose them to the light of the gospel hoping that, if not now, sometime in the future this seed that’s planted will transform their life and their future family’s lives and whatever darkness that they’re experiencing in life, we just hope that the grace and love of God meets them exactly where they are,” said Smith.
Volunteers for the Pouncey Power Camp were made up of several area churches— many of them involved with the “Love Out Loud” ministry.
They say there will be more opportunities to serve the community after the sports camp concludes.
“Boys and Girls Club are always looking for volunteers, so you go through them. They’re an organization, you can find them on the web or on Facebook, but for Love Out Loud, we also have a website, but come to Northcrest at 8 o’clock in the morning the rest of this week, and you’ll be able to sign up for whatever activity. There’s probably 10-15 different activities,” said Bredow.
“Love Out Loud continues on Thursday and Friday, and we’re going to find a place to serve even then, after this camp, all these kids, all these student leaders and college kids and volunteers, we’re all going to continue to find a place to serve this week and hopefully every single week after that,” said Smith.
Visit lolmeridian.com for more information.
