Kids Across America 2023
For 33 years, CSM has been honored to bring local Birmingham youth to Kids Across America camp in Branson, MO. This June, we were blessed with 101 excited KAA Kampers! In just one week, God opened the hearts of 13 kids who accepted Jesus as their savior. It was an incredible display of our Heavenly Father’s love for us.
Each year, leaders from different organizations around Birmingham serve as “kaleos” to our campers. Seeing the power of Christ transform our youth left the kaleos in awe. They came home with powerful stories of the Lord’s faithfulness. Jesus changed children’s hearts for eternity, and even adults made decisions for Christ.
Pastor Rodney Standfield of Love Fellowship shared just a few ways the Lord revealed himself. A young, usually quiet camper from Love Fellowship excitedly shared her camp experience with the congregation. She said, “When I came to camp, my heart was heavy, but when I left, my heart was light!” Our kaleos grew in their understanding of loving people where they are. This love changed the heart of a grown man who expressed that he had never experienced so deep a love. He surrendered his life to Christ on Thursday night. Repeatedly, Christ drew his children to Himself and reminded us of His character.
Our kaleos are youth leaders, volunteers, and church staff who faithfully create new ways to intentionally disciple their youth. Pastor Rodney Standfield shared, “We left with a mission to pour into our youth.”
Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved.” Yet again, the Lord has graciously entrusted us with such a special task. We are overwhelmed by God’s grace and Kids Across America’s undeniable impact on our youth and city.
