Centrifuge staff members prepare to welcome high school and middle school students for summer FUGE Camp on the university’s campus. The staff members greet the church vans and buses by blowing whistles and gently “whapping” the sides of the vehicles with pool noodles.
JACKSON — Since 1987, Union has hosted thousands of high school and middle school students for summer FUGE Camps.
These camps, organized by Lifeway Christian Resources, provide students with a weeklong summer camp experience that is centered on Bible study, worship and recreational activities.
“FUGE Camps offer a safe space for students from all over the country to come and learn that following Christ is the most exciting thing you could possibly do in your life,” said Baylor Dillion, Union FUGE director.
“We prepare an environment that is entirely gospel-centered and proclaim to all of the campers the life change that Jesus offers us all.”
Around 7,000 students, adults and chaperones will come through the seven FUGE Camps offered at Union this summer.
Churches travel to Union from all over the South so their students can experience FUGE Camps. This year Union has hosted several groups from Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, Florida and other states.
“At Union, we are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Centrifuge,” said Ray Van Neste, Union’s vice president for university ministries. “Each year thousands of students come to Centrifuge on our campus with many of them coming to faith in Jesus, finding further direction in their lives and experiencing a call to ministry.”
In its 36-year history at Union, FUGE Camps have provided students with life-changing experiences all while teaching them how to study the Bible.
The theme for this year’s camp is “Revival Generation,” which focuses on how students can make a difference today and in the future.
Through the first four weeks of camp, FUGE has seen around 150 first-time salvations as well as several rededications and calls into ministry.
“It was at a Centrifuge camp on the campus of a Baptist university that I first understood my own call to ministry, so I feel personally the value of this ministry,” Van Neste said. “As we are both rooted in the same gospel, hosting Centrifuge here advances our mission in teaching others about Jesus, training them to serve church and society.” B&R
