Youth, leaders celebrate SuperWow's 25th anniversary

Sherri Brown

The band, Big Daddy Weave, sings during a worship service at SuperWow in Jekyll Island. More than 8,000 students attended one of the weeklong events at either Jekyll Island or Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

SuperWow is 25 years old and Nancy Eason remembers almost all of it.

For the past 23 years, Eason, a volunteer youth worker, has been bringing students from Trinity Church in Nevils to Jekyll Island for the weeklong youth event.

Eason first heard about SuperWow from a student in her church who attended the event with another church.

Sherri Brown

Students from Faith Church in Monroe compete for a volleyball win during afternoon recreation.

“We took about 10 people the next year and we’ve been coming back every year. Coming from a small church, the fellowship the kids have with other Christian youth is so important,” she said.

As Trinity Church grew, so did the number of students who attended SuperWow – as many as 68 have come to the summer event.

SuperWow incorporates evangelism and discipleship in a weeklong experience that includes worship, seminars and recreation activities. The week is also designed to allow church groups to continue sessions during group devotionals each night.

“We’re seeing the evening devotionals become the place where many of the decisions for Christ are made,” said Scott Kindig, GBC Youth Ministries consultant.

The combination of evangelism and discipleship is what keeps Janie Dixon, youth minister at Alamo Church in Sardis, returning year after year. Dixon first attended SuperWow when she was 12 years old. She was saved while at a SuperWow camp.

“Of all the camps I’ve been to and heard about, SuperWow is the best,” Dixon said. “The organization, the speakers, the student staff are always quality.

“SuperWow gives students a chance to be with a thousand other teenagers who are excited about Jesus Christ. A lot of kids know about Jesus Christ, but here a lot of kids are introduced to that personal relationship with him.”

Sherri Brown

Danielle Parton, from Roseberry Church in Knoxville, Tenn., spends her morning quiet time next to the ocean.

But attending SuperWow is not always just about the students. Most leaders admit that they enjoy the week as much as their youth.

“The speakers are top notch. The praise and worship is awesome. I get as much out of this week as the kids do,” said youth volunteer Holly Woodruff from Morningside Church in Douglas.

“SuperWow has never disappointed me.”

For 25 years SuperWow has held weeklong camps for students at Jekyll Island. In recent years, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. was added as a second SuperWow location.

For information about SuperWow and other youth events, see the Web site www.superwow.com.

SuperWow is just one of several youth events organized by Georgia Baptist Convention Youth Ministries. These events are possible through your gifts to the Cooperative Program.

You and your church can send Cooperative Program gifts to:
Dr. J. Robert White
Executive Director, GBC
6405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097

Sherri Brown

Brandy Parker, from Oak Grove Church in Adairsville, and Ashley Bates, from Roseberry Church in Knoxville, Tenn., compete in the “napkin game.” Contestants from each church were challenged to “eat” a napkin without using their hands. (They didn’t have to actually eat it, but just get it in their mouths.)