Impact draws thousands of teens from across the nation

Janel Shoun | 06/12/2007

Related Links
Photo Feature of Impact 2007
Dance Dance Revolution Photos by the Tennessean
(See 06-25-07 photos on the right side of page.)

More than 2,500 teens from all over the country will converge on the Lipscomb University campus June 15-23 to enjoy the high-spirited combination of fun games, silly pranks, Bible study and worship that is Impact, an annual spiritually-focused summer camp.

Impact’s mixture of spiritual enrichment with the downright ridiculous has been a successful formula for Lipscomb and Impact coordinators for the past 15 years. A collection of 14 youth ministers from throughout Middle Tennessee and the Southeast plan this camp each year, based on a theme that is not revealed until campers arrive on campus.

The goal is to provide sixth- through twelfth-graders with a four-day experience that will have a real impact on their spiritual lives. “Probably over 1,000 kids have given their lives to the Lord at Impact,” said Steve Davidson, director of the spiritual outreach office at Lipscomb, which oversees the camp.

Impact is divided into Impact Jr., for sixth- through eighth-graders, June 15-18, and Impact Sr., for ninth- through twelfth-graders, June 18-23. Last year student groups came from 15 states to attend Impact.

Both camps include special interactive Bible classes taught by youth ministers, keynote speakers and dynamic praise and worship. Teens will hear challenging messages and enjoy special times of worship, concerts and activities, such as a Dance Dance Revolution tournament and “Morning Impact,” a sort of pep rally featuring contests involving huge beach balls and disgusting food combinations, outlandish videos made by the youth ministers on campus, and camp-style songs and cheers.

Keynote speakers include nationally known preachers and authors Jeff Walling and Don McLaughlin. Coffee house concert performers include Family Force Five, Stellar Kart, Joy Electric and local favorites The Nobility (aka Jetpack). Other entertainment includes Christian comedians, illusionists, a sword swallower and acrobats.

Impact Sr. fills to capacity every year, but this year, because group sessions will be held in Allen Arena, coordinators allowed even more youth groups to register for Impact, even though they will have to stay off campus because all on-campus residential facilities are full.

This is the time to catch thousands of teens acting goofy and having a great time. Last year’s Morning Impact included Matchbox car races, moshing beach ball relays, the Rock, Scissors, Paper competition and outlandish videos made by the youth ministers. You haven't seen true enthusiasm until you've seen the teens cheering at Morning Impact.

Musical Acts
Shamblin Theatre
Saturday, June 15 & 19-22, 2:15-5 p.m.

If you'd like to pep up your afternoon snack with a little music and some hyperactive teens, check out Shamblin Theatre for Stellar Kart, Family Force Five, Through A Glass, Radial Angel, Five Talents More, The Nobility and The Movement.

Working late on campus? Finish off your day with a quick trip over to Allen Arena to see a real sword swallower, the Red Panda Acrobat troupe or the Beale Street Flippers as campers make their way into Evening Impact (see below).

Evening Impact will feature Christian comedians, illusionists and skits, as well as moving devotional talks by nationally known ministers Jeff Walling and Don McLaughlin and worship lead by Jon Owens. To see more than a thousand teens interested in learning how to impact their world for God, show up at this time and restore your faith in the future of God's kingdom.