IMPACT teens donate more than $14,000 to local flood victims, African hungry

Six families in flood-stricken Bellevue benefited this year from the generosity of the 2,500 teens attending IMPACT, June 18-26, on the Lipscomb campus.

 

In two special collections taken at IMPACT Jr. and IMPACT Sr., more than $11,000 was collected by the teens, who travelled from churches all over the eastern United States to attend IMPACT. In addition, Lifebread, a California-based nonprofit that constructs bakeries in Africa, benefitted from $3,000 in personal donations by the teens over the course of the event.

 

Click here to see a "thank you" video from Lifebread to IMPACT teens.

 

The money collected went to purchase appliances and provide clean-up funds for local flood victims.

 

Patrick Chappell, senior admissions recruiter at Lipscomb and member of the IMPACT coordinating staff, and Howard Anderson, elder at Western Hills Church of Christ, delivered either a new washer and dryer set or a new refrigerator along with a check for $750 to six families. The remainder of the money will be used by Western Hills as a flood relief fund.

 

Flash flooding hit many neighborhoods throughout Nashville in early May, and officials estimate they resulted in almost $2 billion in damage. The Bellevue community in west Nashville was among the worst hit, with many residents having to be rescued from their homes by boat.

 

In its 19^th year, Lipscomb’s annual summer camp for teens is stronger than ever, and in 2009 and 2010, the coordinators added an opportnity to practice generosity during the event. In 2009, the teens collected money to help establish a Best Buddies state headquarters in Tennessee.

 

In addition to the mass collection, IMPACT teens indivudally chose to donate to Lifebread, a nonprofit established in 2007 by a Pepperdine University graduate that uses oil drums, bricks and mud to build ovens in African communities and then teaches the local residents how to bake bread and other food sanitation skills. Lifebread officials are currently touring the country in the Share the Bread American Tour to raise funds for the charity.

 

IMPACT provides an atmosphere that enables teens to develop a personal faith, which will then impact their world for Christ. IMPACT Jr. is for 6th-8th graders. IMPACT Sr. is for 9th-12th graders.

 

Both camps include special interactive Bible classes taught by selected youth ministers, keynote speakers and dynamic praise and worship. Teens enjoy Morning Impact (a spiritual pep rally that serves as a comedic break during each day), the Coffee House where Christian groups perform, and afternoons full of games and outdoor activities.

 

This year’s theme, “Buried. Alive!” explored breaking the cycle of mundane life, including escaping the dangers of the “swamp” of addictions, negative attitudes and improper relationships.

 

IMPACT is coordinated by Steve Davidson, in the Office of Spiritual Outreach, who works with the IMPACT Board, made up of youth ministers and others who minister to teens.