Purcellville Christian Youth Camp 2008By Laura S. Tinnel

PURCELLVILLE, Va. (BNc)- The Arab, Ala., congregation conducted the third annual Purcellville Christian Youth Camp (PCYC).

Bobby Thomas, Arab’s youth minister and former member of the Purcellville congregation, organized and led the 3-day July event.

Twenty-two youth and 11 adults traveled 14 hours from Arab to Purcellville to engage in this effort aimed at children of all ages. Twenty-four youth from the Purcellville congregation attended along with seven youth from surrounding area denominations.

This year’s theme was “Running the Race”. Teens from the Arab congregation served as counselors and taught Bible classes under the guidance of mentoring adults. In previous years, adults taught the classes.

The Arab youth stayed in the homes of the Purcellville members, and the Purcellville ladies provided dinners to the group.

The Arab congregation has been supporting the Purcellville congregation through contributions to its building program and in helping start the PCYC. This year marks the first that Purcellville member Robbie Shiflett was named co-director of the camp.

Purcellville is located 52 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., near the West Virginia border in an area considered to be a mission field. Few of the congregation live in Purcellville, with some traveling 45-60 minutes to attend.

The congregation presently consists of about 80 people, many of which are young children and teens.  Purcellville is located in a transient area and expects to lose 4 families this summer.

The Arab congregation is located about 30 miles south of Huntsville, Ala., and consists of about 250 members. Both congregations have elders and deacons.

For further information, visit the Arab and Purcellville congregational websites.

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