For almost 30 years, Rev. Daniel M. Cason and his wife Gwendolyn- with the help of talented volunteers and generous sponsors- have invited 300 plus children to the Daniel Cason Ministries’ Annual Summer Music Camp in Birmingham- free of charge. This year, the camp dates are July 8-27, 2024.

The camps allow children, who would not otherwise have the chance, to learn from music professionals and grow in their faith. “We host camp to accomplish two goals,” explains Cason. “One is to expose these precious kids to Excellence in Music Instruction and the other is to make sure that they hear about a man named Jesus Christ. For some of them, this just may have been their very first-time hearing about Jesus. Our curriculum is designed to be fun, educational and 100% Christian based.”

Music instruction is presented in a way that encourages campers to use their God given gifts and talent for the glory of God. “Sharing the Gospel with them is our commitment to ensure they know that Jesus Christ has a plan and purpose for their lives,” explains Cason. “They need to know that Jesus in the only one who can offer them the free gift of eternal life! Jesus Christ is the center of everything we do at the KIDS Christian Music Center and we lift Him high for all to see-kids and parents alike.”

In order to host the camps for free, sponsors are needed. To make a tax-deductible donation to send children to camp, make check payable to National Christian Foundation/Alabama. In the memo section please note “K.I.D.S./ Daniel Cason KIDS Ministry #1171757. Mail to National Christian Foundation/Alabama, 400 Office Park Drive, Suite 201, Birmingham, AL 35223. To partner in this life changing ministry or learn about camp registration call 205-365-1800 or 205-365-1838. Learn more at www.danielcason.org. †

Special Feature

Poiema is the Greek word for workmanship. Jaclyn Smith, one of the leaders of the Poiema ministry in Birmingham, Ala., explains that the name of the ministry name was inspired by Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in it.” 

Poiema launched in 2017 with a desire to share the love of Jesus. “A small community of Birmingham area women from different backgrounds and seasons of life united in their love for Jesus, each other, and the next generation,” Smith says. The mission of the ministry is “to unite women of all ages and denominations, as daughters of our heavenly Father, in order to share the truth that we are worth more in Him than in anything this world has to offer us.”

Each year, the ministry hosts a week-long Summer Workshop and a one-day Christmas Workshop for girls ages 3rd-8th grade. “We use creative arts as the draw,” Smith explains, adding, “We worship and do devotional time, and the girls create art through many different modalities during the week as we breathe into them the truth that they are not unlike the masterpieces that they have created; that God made them in His image with the same intentionality and care.”

The 2024 Summer Workshop is set for July 15-19, 2024. Through the years, the Summer Workshop has grown from 65 campers to more than 200 campers. The prayer of each volunteer is that “God would bring the hearts that need camp to Poiema each time the doors are open.” Both the summer and Christmas workshops exist “to spread the glory and renown of Jesus to girls who may or may not know Him using creative arts as a medium to reinforce the love, intentionality, and thoughtfulness with which their Creator made them,” Smith shares. To learn more about Poiema and to register, visit poiemacreativearts.com. †

Special Feature

For 15 years, Hope Church- A Community Church in Gardendale has hosted Royal Family Kids Camp. The free summer camp is for children ages from six-11 in the foster care system. To host the camp, Hope Church works in conjunction with the nonprofit, For the Children, a network of local churches dedicated to providing unconditional love, hope and safety to children. The mission of Royal Family Kids Camp is that each child that attends experiences “unconditional love, hope for the future, and a place of safety,” explains Hope Church’s Beverly Hoff, adding, “We do this through trust-based actions and focusing on points including keep moving forward, making moments matter, and treating people royally.” Hoff explains that the camp curriculum and activities follow the Trust-Based Relational Intervention “to ensure our children are experiencing truly life-giving activities throughout the experience.” 

There is no shortage of fun at this annual camp. Campers enjoy a week filled with Bible time, crafts, swimming, bike riding, and more. One big event that happens at the camp is a birthday party. “One night we have a themed birthday party. The reason we do this is because some of our campers have never experienced a celebration just for them,” Hoff shares. The camp also allows Hope Church staff and volunteers to share the Gospel with every camper. Hoff explains camp staff and volunteers share the Gospel with the children in direct and indirect ways. “We have a Biblical theme and lesson for the week, but we also model Christian living in the interactions between adults and children,” she says. The camp will take place July 9-14. 

Ways to get involved. If you’re interested in volunteering, there is a place for you! Hoff says they are looking for volunteers ages 18 and up to be counselors, relief counselors and kitchen crew members. Other volunteer opportunities are available if you are a licensed nurse, licensed social worker, or a certified lifeguard. “We have experienced life changing moments with our campers and volunteers,” Hoff says. To learn more about how you can volunteer, email [email protected] or visit Facebook @Hope Church-Royal Family Kids Camp. 

-Melissa Armstrong

Ways to Serve in 2023

January 2023 marks Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham’s 50th anniversary. The youth mentoring organization first opened its doors in 1973. Its mission was simple–to match each child that entered the program one-to-one with an adult mentor, or “Big,” who could act as a positive role model to the “Little.”

At its inception, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham consisted of just a handful of staff, a very limited budget and a passion for serving the youth of Birmingham. Today, the agency has expanded to six counties (Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, Walker, Chilton and St. Clair) and serves over 700 children each year across six different programs.  “The impact our program has on these children is so incredible to see,” said organization CEO Sue S. Johnson. “We’re not just serving these kids for a few years and then sending them on their way. Many of these Matches turn into lifelong friendships, and they all change lives for the better, both for the Big and the Little.” Johnson has served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham since 1999. Over the years, she has watched children blossom into versions of themselves that likely never would have been possible without the love and support of their Big.

“We see these kids come in, and a lot of them are being pressured to join gangs, or to do drugs at school, or to get in all sorts of other trouble,” Johnson said. “But then we match them, and it’s like a complete 180 once they start spending time with their Bigs. I’ve watched the Littles in our program go on to become doctors, serve in the military and do any number of other amazing things. Watching them succeed is why we do what we do.” Research supports the positive impact of mentors. A 1994 study by Public/Private Ventures found that after 18 months of spending time with their Bigs, Littles were: 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 52% less likely to skip school and 33% less likely to engage in violence compared to children not enrolled in the program. The study also found that Littles were more confident of their performance in school and got along better with their families.

Johnson has seen the results of this study prove themselves time and time again during her tenure at the agency. “What we do matters,” she said. “When we match these kids and give them the support and encouragement they need to succeed, they’re capable of anything. They are our future, and I truly think we’re helping to brighten that future, one match at a time.” To learn more about how you can impact the lives of area youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, visit www.bbbsbhm.org. †