This article was written by one of our seniors, Baylie Grace Long.
Eastmont students had the opportunity to attend two youth trips during the month of June. The first trip was Music on Mission for student bands, which took us to Birmingham. We stayed the week at Tannehill Baptist Church and were able to fellowship with their youth group. We hosted a student jam for students in the surrounding areas of Birmingham and taught groups of students to play guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. In just a few hours they were split into bands to practice for their Battle of the Bands performance the next evening. We also led worship for the youth on Wednesday and again for Tannehill State Park the next day. When we were not playing our instruments we had a few service opportunities around the church and other locations.
The second trip was to MFUGE at Mississippi College in Clinton, where we stayed in dorms on campus. During the week we split into smaller groups along with other students from across the Southeast. I was placed in a track that helped out at a summer camp called Camp Pioneer in Pearl, Mississippi. In the afternoons we painted a cabin and helped with other maintenance tasks as needed. Then in the evenings all the campers came together to worship and listen to the camp pastor before we met in our own church groups.
Both trips challenged students to share the gospel back in Montgomery and to further the Kingdom in everything we do. Additionally, I saw growth throughout the youth group as many stepped out of their comfort zones, and I saw students reach out to talk to older/younger students that needed extra encouragement. Over the two short weeks we were able to disciple others around us and show them the love we have for the gospel and the Church. Next week will be another opportunity for students to grow spiritually as we attend Super Summer.
