Summer Beach Project References:

Pastors

It is with a great sense of confidence that I recommend the Campus Outreach ministry to college students who desire a closer walk with Christ. For the past eight years, Campus Outreach has been a part of our congregation during the summer months, and it has always amazed and thrilled our folks as they have witnessed the Christ-centered attitudes of the students. The leadership is superb, and the discipleship that takes place is life-changing.  If you are a parent and you want to see a new maturity in your son or daughter, I encourage you to pray your youth into the greatest and possibly the most pivotal summer of their lives - the Campus Outreach Beach Project.

ROY HARGRAVE, Pastor of Riverbend Community Church (Baptist),

Ormond Beach, FL

Our church has been a host church for Campus Outreach North Beach Project for the past two summers. I have had the opportunity to work closely with the leadership and students of Campus Outreach. It has been a  pleasure and joy to interact with such a fine group of folks who have such a strong commitment to share the love of Christ with those they come in contact with. In particular the leadership of Campus Outreach demonstrates strong Christian character and leadership. I have been very impressed with the caliber of Christian students they have attracted and disciple in their ministry. It is clearly evident that God is at work in shaping the lives of collegiate through Campus Outreach.  As a host church we receive an incredible gift each summer with the presence of Campus Outreach. They have been willing to serve us in any way they are able during their stay. It has truly been a win-win situation and God has been glorified by what takes place here each summer through Campus Outreach.  Our senior high students have been very encouraged in their relationship with Christ by the interaction they have had with the Campus Outreach students. We continue to look forward to our growing relationship with Campus Outreach in the future.

MIKE BLANKERS, Pastor of Student Ministries, First United Methodist Church, Ormond Beach, FL

For ten years now Christ Community Church has enjoyed the pleasure of an ongoing relationship with Campus Outreach Ministries. Summer Beach Project brings several hundred young people to our town, and we have the privilege of working with a considerable number of them in our church. We've seen the staff and student leaders work with the students over the years with great integrity, commitment, and wisdom. We’ve seen the wonderful impact that the Summer Beach Project has had on the overall development of the students who participate in it.  Lifelong friendships are forged, outstanding work habits are formed and important character qualities are developed in these students as they work and serve together. They have proven to be faithful and helpful volunteers in every area of our church’s ministries.  And, in the midst of all this outstanding character development, they have a tremendously fun time!

The staff and students of Campus Outreach Ministries have earned a splendid reputation with our people for their good character and their fine work. This isn’t just the opinion of our church. Campus Outreach, and Summer Beach project in particular, enjoy a great reputation with all of the area churches and with the many local business that employ the students as well. I can wholeheartedly endorse this fine ministry and it’s outstanding people.

LARRY KIRK, Pastor of Christ Community Church, Daytona Beach, FL

In all my years of involvement with campus ministries, I have never been more impressed with any ministry than Campus Outreach.  The ministry exhibits a rare combination of strengths in evangelism, discipleship, and theology.

RANDY POPE, Senior Pastor of Perimeter Church (PCA), Duluth, GA

I have been impressed with the biblical depth, evangelistic mindset and Great Commission vision of Campus Outreach.  Their commitment to discipleship in and through the local church is refreshing and deeply encouraging to me as a pastor.

CONRAD BROWN, Senior Pastor of East Cooper Baptist Church, Charleston, SC

Parents

 As current record holders for attending the most Summer Beach Project Parent Weekends, we feel qualified to set parents at ease with their kid's participation in summer mission work at Daytona.  This will be our 10th year attending Parent's Weekend. We have two sons, both of whom are very involved in Campus Outreach. We can see in them the growth that these summer experiences have provided. They have matured tremendously in their personal relationship with God, in responsibility, time management, and leadership. The Christian relationships that our sons have developed through CO leave us with a strong sense of peace. We know that these long lasting friendships will indeed follow them as they seek the plan God has for them.  What better way can your child spend the summer than surrounded by Christian friends, ongoing Bible Study, the opportunity for a steady summer job, early nightly curfew and group date socials? If you are undecided about sending your child to Summer Beach Project, please know at one time we were in the same situation.  However, we can truthfully say these 9 summers have been totally rewarding experiences for both of our boys. There are many more things we would like to share with you about your child's involvement with Campus Outreach. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (229) 263-7426 or e-mail us at jwromine@juno.com.

              John and Nancy Romine

Dear Campus Outreach:

I am the parent of one of the participants of your 1999 Campus Outreach Summer Beach Project. From the onset, I was skeptical that my graduating high school senior could manage on his own for an entire summer. The structure and support provided by the SBP were exactly what he needed. The playful boy returned as a young man much more serious about his spiritual role and his responsibilities to his faith. Summer Beach Project gave him an opportunity to work on his own, manage his money, and to participate in discipleship classes on various topics. He began to understand how being a Christian translated to real life experiences. From this experience emerged signs of self discipline and independence.  He was passionate about his commitment to Christ. Still, opportunities for honest fun were clearly evident in all correspondence throughout the summer. My son had participated in Campus Outreach activities for a year prior to going away for the summer. I had some knowledge of the Christian activities planned each week. I even knew several of the local students who participated, and I knew they had dedicated Christian leadership. I admit, though, I was worried. Motivating so many college students for an entire summer would be a great challenge. Keeping them focused on their Christian ideals would have to become more difficult as the summer evolved. I had ignored an essential detail. These were students who had chosen to participate and who had accepted the conservative Christian guidelines before ever agreeing to attend.  Once I attended the Parents' Weekend in July, I worried no more. It was evident the summer had been well planned, and the students understood the parameters and the spirit of the program. My son was better prepared to face the challenges associated with college life with the lessons learned at SBP. SBP found avenues for his playfulness and creativity, and these qualities are now channeled toward a goal. He has continued much of the work initiated last summer and hopes to return for a second year.

Sincerely,

          Laura Brown

Campus Outreach has been instrumental in shaping the spiritual growth of our daughter.  The integrity, accountability, and joy exhibited by this group does not go unnoticed by us and other members of our church congregation.  The training Campus Outreach offers has a multiplying effect.

          Coleman and Marguerite Gravlee

What is Campus Outreach all about and what is this thing called Summer Beach Project? This may be a question you are being faced with right now. Two years ago I had these questions and wondered what exactly were they thinking about spending the summer at the beach? Well, let me tell you it is beyond your imagination the major impact this project will have on your son or daughter.  Not only do they grow in their walk with the Lord, but the disciplines that are instill are immeasurable!SBP requires each participant to seek and have a job. By working a real job they learn how to develop relationships, how to witness in a work environment - this may not always be words (actions & reactions count too), how to manage their work schedule, how to manage their free time, how to manage their money, but most of all how to continually grow in their relationship with the Lord and through that relationship.   Brandon would never have grown in these areas THIS WAY had he not had the chance to go to Summer Beach Project. Let me assure you that the blessings far out weigh the idea that they need to make money (or more money) during the summer. Money doesn't last long as you well know but this summer experience will change their lives forever. YOU won't regret it.

     If I had to sum up the impact this ministry has had on my son, Brandon, I would say it has made him: more conscientious, respectful, appreciative, contented, self evaluating, family oriented, loving, mature, responsible, willing to serve, and sensitive.  He has become a better manager of his time, a better leader, more priority oriented, more willing to admit his shortcomings, a man of integrity, one who can discern God's will for his life, but most of all he has grown in his relationship with his Lord. I have seen Brandon grow so much while away at college. While some parents have worried themselves sick over the "wild college life" I've been able to count my blessings about the effect it has had on Brandon. God is "all over" this ministry & is using it to change young people's lives for HIS good. So if you are wondering if all of this Campus Outreach stuff is worth it --- my answer would be the loudest "YES" you've ever heard. THANK YOU Campus Outreach for your outstanding commitment to young people and helping them to set the course for their lives through God. 

Thankfully,

          Cindy Hasson

We want to take this opportunity to tell you the real truth about Campus Outreach and their activity called the "Summer Beach Project". My wife and I have two daughters that have participated in the Daytona Beach project. Our oldest daughter has participated for 3 years and our youngest for 1 year. We were initially apprehensive about letting them be away from us to join 150 other college kids of the same age in what we thought would be an unsupervised beach area for the greatest part of the summer. We were very mistaken. What they have experienced personally and us as a family has been wonderful.

     Each student will have a 30-40 hr per week job for the entire length of the project. Because Campus Outreach (CO) has developed an outstanding reputation for hard workers with great attitudes, many hotels and businesses save positions for the CO students. Last year, there were more positions available than students who participated. The lessons learned here about the value of a dollar, time commitment, self-organization, and privilege (humility), are not found in a book. Each student will share a hotel room with 3 other students (girls with girls, etc) for the 8-10 week session. They are responsible for most of their meals, laundry, paying their rent, cooperation with their roommate, and transportation to and from work.  In addition, there are CO and team functions nightly so their after-hour activities are very busy. This is a great school to teach cooperation and responsibility because expectations are high even though the accommodations and resources are limited. The focus of CO Beach Project is to help the student deepen their relationship with the Heavenly Father with in-depth discipleship training and to use their working environments and beach evangelism as opportunities to share their faith. This combination helps them to talk easier about their faith in public and establishes good spiritual growth habits for their own personal time.

     The CO rules are in place for the safety of all participants and do work well.  We do not know of any difficult situations, and those deciding not to follow the rules have been sent home. We endorse Campus Outreach and the Summer Beach Project. Their positive influence on our daughters has been wonderful. We strongly recommend the Project to you.

          Dr. & Mrs. Dave Killough, Pharm D

Employers

ASSOCIATES IN MEDICINE, INC.

We have had students work with us in the past from the Campus Outreach program.  These students took on any assignment given to them in a most positive manner.  They performed a variety of projects, from moving boxes and furniture to data entry, calling patients to collect outstanding balances, performance of electronic spreadsheet and word processing duties, to completion of inventory processes.  These students were dependable, intelligent, honest, polite, quick learners, and completed all tasks in a most efficient and expeditious manner.  They all engendered a wonderful work ethic, taking on projects in a most responsible fashion.

Richard Sovacool, Executive Vice President

THE ADAM'S MARK HOTEL

The management and staff would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to all the participants of

the Campus Outreach Program this year. The representatives of your program were truly outstanding. 

They made a difference! We hope to see them all again next year!!

Sincerely,

Dennis Young, Employment Manager