Henderson, Tennessee – (June 20, 2024) – For 19-year-old Tucker Cates of Durant, Oklahoma, it was an experience that he described as “one of the best weeks of my life.” With future plans to serve the Lord full-time through ministry work, Cates was thrilled to take part in a unique opportunity to learn from faithful Christian men who had plenty of wisdom, knowledge and professional advice to share.
Freed-Hardeman University’s College of Biblical Studies hosted 12 young participants for the inaugural Equip Ministry Camp on campus May 28-31. The mission of the camp was to provide a learning environment for young men, ages 13-19, to study the Word of God, prepare and present lessons and enhance their ability to minister in a congregational setting.
“The camp really prepared me for the many different situations I will probably find myself in as a preacher/minister,” Cates said. “I now have a much better understanding of how to handle certain aspects of ministry that I was never taught before.”
Participants came from a variety of states, including Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia. Throughout the week, campers were led in classes that helped them learn more about various areas of ministry, such as apologetics, baptizing and taking responses, contextualization, counseling, English grammar, leadership and songleading. At the conclusion of camp, students delivered 15-minute exegetical sermons before a live audience of guests, staff and peers.
“I was impressed by the maturity and skills of the young men who participated in our first Equip Ministry Camp,” Dr. Doug Burleson, Equip Camp director, said. “I was also so grateful for the kindness and hospitable spirit of the FHU campus community and area congregations.”
In addition to Burleson, other camp staff included Jonathan Crowell, Dr. Ryan Fraser, Austin Ketchum and Joe Wells. The camp also utilized several members of the FHU community including the following faculty: Dr. Mark Blackwelder, Dr. Matt Cook, Dr. Donnie DeBord, Dr. Joe Deweese, Dr. Ryan Fraser, Hannah Graves, Dr. Josh Ketchum, Dr. Kevin Moore, Dr. Justin Rogers, Dr. Matthew Sokoloski, David South and Dr. Lauren Warf.
Other speakers and teachers during the week included Dr. Ted Burleson, Ben Flatt, Robert Hatfield, Tony Hysmith, Dale Jenkins, Jeff Jenkins, Hiram Kemp, Nathan Kitchen, TJ Kirk, Ray Pack, FHU President David R. Shannon and Dr. Billy R. Smith. Area congregations assisted with the meals and FHU Admissions hosted evening activities for participants.
“Our first-ever Equip Camp was a huge success!” Rogers, dean of FHU’s College of Biblical Studies, added. “We had amazing students who rose to meet every ministry challenge we threw at them. There’s something poetic about starting with 12, and these 12 young men are poised to touch eternity. A huge thanks goes to Dr. Burleson and his team for planning, developing and executing the vision for Equip 2024!”
Cates, who will be an FHU freshman in the fall, is very thankful to those who have helped him lay a solid foundation for his future ministry. “I am overwhelmed at the generosity shown by the counselors and professors who helped make it so impactful,” he said. “The classes were absolutely amazing, and, weeks later, I still keep finding myself reviewing class notes for advice in certain situations. I am so excited for next year!”
Plans are being made for the second year of the Equip Ministry camp, scheduled to take place May 27-30, 2025. Please visit fhu.edu/equip-ministry-camp for more information.
The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. More information is available at fhu.edu.
Campers, staff and teachers of the first Equip Ministry Camp met on the campus of Freed-Hardeman University.