Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, the Hon. Charles Griffith, with his head bowed during the prayer session of the National Summer Camps Church Service.

The 2024 National Summer Camps commenced with a church service at the Power In the Blood Assembly at the Cnr. Kew Road & Tudor Bridge, St. Michael.

The service, which precedes the five week July 22nd to August 23rd programme, was attended by the Hon. Charles Griffith, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Mrs. Joy Adamson, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Cleviston Hunte, Director of Youth Affairs, Ministry officials and volunteers in the camp programme.

He noted that with almost 50 camps this year, the programme will be impacting well over 3,000 young people, with the aim of positively engaging them, through a variety of programmes and capacity building initiatives. Minister Griffith emboldened young people to turn away from negative and dark thoughts and instead seek to use their energies positively.

He told the congregation that every time a young man or woman is killed in Barbados, 'it troubles me deeply', adding that no effort will be spared in trying to transform the lives of our young men and women through various governmental initiatives. Minister Griffith also thanked the over 400 young people and adults who have volunteered to work with the camps this year.

In a hard-hitting sermon, officiating Minister at Power in the Blood Assembly, Dr. Eric Peters, urged Barbadians to seek God in their lives to help transform the nation. Speaking on the topic ‘The Path to Change’ taken from 2 Chronicles Chapter 7 verses 13-18, Dr Peters declared that “the solution to Barbados’ problems is beyond politics , and is about seeking Jesus Christ as our Redeemer. Barbados this is a time for us to seek God because righteousness exalteth a nation".

He noted that he admired Prime Minister Mottley, but contends that Barbados “won’t be exalted because of her intelligence and her speeches but only through serving the true and living God”.

Dr Peters called on all Barbadians to take collective responsibility for what is happening in our country and to pray earnestly for its transformation. “There is only one path to change, what we need is God..we need Christ in our hearts. God is the answer to our social, economic and family problems.” Dr Peters contended.

“At a time of heightened crime we find time to revel more and this baffles me,” Dr Peters noted. Quoting from the book of proverbs he contended that “righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to many people.”

The National Camps programme caters to children 4 to 15 years old.