Southwestern hosts thousands of students in summer Fuge Camps
By Michelle Workman, SWBTS
FORT WORTH (BP) — Despite the summer break, some areas of campus have not slowed down as about 2,000 middle and high school students from Texas and neighboring states visited Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) to participate in Fuge Camps hosted by the seminary for a fourth year.
This year, seven of the Lifeway-sponsored, week-long camps were held at Southwestern. The final two weeks, Chandler Snyder, vice president for enrollment and student services, was the camp preacher and said he saw a number of students make commitments to the Lord, whether through a profession of faith or a commitment to follow His calling to missions or other ministry.
“I was a summer camp kid,” said Snyder, who also serves as dean of students. “And that’s the story of a lot of people who grew up in Baptist life. … It’s a pivotal week in the life of a student throughout the course of a year. Where they’re out of their normal element and they’re kind of thrust into a moment to think on and reflect on the Word,” whether in worship or in Bible studies during the week.
During the seven weeks of camp, the leaders reported 96 professions of faith, 146 recommitments, 10 called to ministry and five students expressing a call to missions.
“I think it’s been a very profitable [summer],” said Debra Walton, the events coordinator for Southwestern who had a large part in organizing the Fuge camps. “It is fun to see, to look out over the campus and see it busy.”
Snyder and Walton both emphasized that hosting the camps took the combined efforts of the entire campus, including campus housing, facilities, Student Life, the events team, the Recreation and Aerobics Center and many other Southwestern staff members. Faculty were also involved, as they prayed with staffers each week and hosted those camp workers for homemade meals each Sunday. Walton said everyone seemed to work together with good spirits, even when the task was something outside of their normal responsibilities.
“It’s the perfect example of how Southwestern, we really put our money where our mouth is when it comes to being about evangelism and pastoral ministry,” Snyder said. “We roll out the red carpet for our campus, for our camp. … It’s the perfect blend of this campus community being about students, campers coming here to engage with the gospel for the first time or the millionth time.”
In surveys submitted by campers, church leaders and staffers, Walton said she has received several comments complimenting how beautiful the campus is, how well-maintained it is and how safe they felt during the camp weeks.
“What’s great about our partnership with them,” Snyder said, “it’s very advantageous for us because it highlights excellence of our amenities and our campus community and our faculty — the way that we go about partnership.”
Snyder said each week he had the opportunity to share with students and their leaders about Texas Baptist College (TBC), the seminary’s undergraduate school, and even present a scholarship to one of the high school students. As a result, some of the counselors said they want to attend TBC and have already started their applications.
“So, it’s very advantageous for us, not only financially from a revenue standpoint over the summer, but an investment standpoint in our student population,” Snyder said.
Longtime Alabama Baptist pastor, ‘statesman’ Jimmy Jackson dies July 19
By The Alabama Baptist Staff
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Longtime Alabama Baptist pastor and leader Jimmy Jackson died Friday (July 19). He was 84.
Jackson served as pastor of Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville for 40 years before retiring in 2018. Before coming to Whitesburg in 1978, he served as pastor of three other churches — Union Baptist in Grand Bay; First Baptist Key West, Florida; and First Baptist Merritt Island, Florida.
A native of Mississippi, Jackson earned his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College in Clinton. He also earned a master’s degree and doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Through the years, Jackson has served in a variety of leadership positions, such as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention (2009-2010) and first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention (2006-2007).
‘Served us well’
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, shared on Facebook: “Pam and I join so many in praying for the Jimmy Jackson family as they mourn his passing. Jimmy Jackson was a statesman among Alabama Baptists and Southern Baptists. He was an excellent president of our state convention. He served us so well at a critical time. To say he will be missed is a vast understatement.”
Greg Corbin, pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham and previous chair of the Southern Baptist of Mississippi trustees, posted: “Through my tears I give thanks to the Lord for his impact on my life over 30+ years and pray for Bobbi and family. I quote him often:
“‘The storm you are in is more powerful than you are, but it is not more powerful than you are in Christ.’
“‘Be quick to forgive. You will have to forgive some people lots of times.’
“‘Stay steady.’
“‘Bloom where you are planted.’
“‘Stay in the battle no matter what comes.’”
Family and arrangements
Jackson is preceded in death by his son, Randy. He is survived by his wife Bobbi, daughter Rhonda, son Russell and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His funeral is set for July 23 at 1 p.m. at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville and will be livestreamed on Whitesburg’s YouTube channel. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery following the funeral service.
