Children can drop in to Bible camp
Fun times with activities based on scripture hosted by Anglican Church
Mark Rieder
Northern News Services
Thursday, August 6, 2015
INUVIK
Inuvik's young people can expect to have fun during the On Eagle's Wings Bible School at the Anglican Church of the Ascension, being held Aug. 9 to 13.
Pastor Stephen Martin, with Inuvik's Anglican Church of the Ascension, will play host for the On Eagle's Wings Bible school being held Aug. 9 to 13. - Mark Rieder/NNSL photo
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Pastor Stephen Martin said the focus is on having a good time.
"They'll be playing a lot," he said, "They'll be doing some sing-a-longs, playtime stuff, crafts. Just basically have a fun time."
The program will run from 6 to 9 p.m. over the five days. Many of the events will be based on scripture.
"There will be some storytelling, and making crafts based on the story," said Martin.
The two people running the program, Pastor Jeff May and wife Karla May, are experienced in providing the program throughout the North. Originally from Virginia, the two are parents of a staff member at the ministry's Yellowknife office.
"They have also been all through the Arctic. Before coming here they were in Tuktoyaktuk. So they are all over the place," said Martin.
He said that On Eagle's Wings is a ministry that takes a multi-denominational approach.
"If we get kids from other denominations, that's OK too," Martin said. It will be a whirlwind trip for the Mays.
"They will spend Sunday here with us in church," said Martin.
"Then on Monday (they will) spend some time walking around the community, getting oriented."
Since it is a drop-in program, there is no registration and it is yet unknown how many youth will show up.
"The community has things to do so we aren't going to compete with that. The parks have things going on, so we may just have (children) on inclement weather, because we're indoors," said Martin, "Last year we had 20 youth that came through."
Although it is supervised, Martin hopes that some parents will be willing to stay around
"If you have some really young kids coming in, we ask for a parent or guardian to spend some time here," he said.
Martin said aside from the entertainment and spiritual benefits the young people will get from the program, there are hopes it can be an introduction to religion for some.
"That's what I think all us churches hope for. That we can put the word out, let them know that we're here," he said.
Although there are a number of secular youth programs available, Martin said he sees the Bible camp as something for parents to choose when looking at summer camps for their children
"It gives them something different," he said. "Lets them know that there's something going on for the kids to come to."
