On December 4th, FBC’s Jr. High youth group, better known as Surge, led a caravan of forty-five...

On December 4th, FBC’s Jr. High youth group, better known as Surge, led a caravan of forty-five teens and parents on a road trip that lasted only twenty miles but ended in a very different world: Ferry Avenue in Camden.  They brought with them two pickup trucks of clothing, hats, gloves, scarves, coats, and blankets to help the homeless prepare for the winter.  They also brought hot chocolate and bagged cookies with Scripture tied to the outside. 

As soon as they arrived, the group began setting up tables on either side of the train and bus terminals, a popular spot among the street dwellers.  Aided by Bill and Brenda Antinore, founders of a Camden street ministry called My Father’s Hands, the group organized clothing and accessories on one table and blankets and heavy coats on another.  Then they began serving an estimated one hundred people who continually repeated the phrase “God bless” in exchange for the piles of garments they took for their children, grandchildren, mothers, cousins, neighbors, and themselves. 

“We really were being blessed as we were giving the clothes away,” says Mike Candy, FBC’s Assistant Youth Pastor, in response to the crowd wanting God to bless Surge.  “As much as we were trying to bless them, God blessed us with experience of reaching out to a lost city.”

Despite a few people gladly stuffing bags full of clothes, there were actually quite a bit of items left over.  The Antinores packed up the extras into their van, which they will distribute at the breakfasts their ministry provides three Saturdays out of every month.  Brenda said she was particularly encouraged by all of the young people who came out, willing to give of their time and become the hands and feet of Christ.  She encouraged them not to be frustrated with all of the leftovers. 

“You can look and see all this left over and feel disappointed that you didn’t reach more people tonight,” Brenda admitted. “But God knows the need, and God brought a bounty of things.  This winter will be harsh, and we will be able to give the rest out as people need it.” 

The teens in Surge were impressed that those they served seemed very concerned about the people around them.  Many relayed comments they overheard about people wanting to grab a few things for their family and friends; it was apparent how aware everyone was of the needs around them.  Candy was also encouraged by a small reminder of God’s ability to spread seeds of truth.

“When we got back into the van, we were eating some of the leftover cookies and one of the Scriptures tied to a bag fell onto my lap,” Candy recalls.  “It just made me think – who knows where all of the Scripture fell tonight and who will pick it up and read it.  You just never know.”

This is the second year Surge distributed clothing in Camden, and next year they hope to include the high school youth group, Wired, to make it an annual FBC youth event.  You can hear more about teens’ reactions or share a story yourself by visiting fbcsurge.com.