Teens raise money for church camp

The Church of the Nazarene’s youth group boogied in a Portales parking lot Thursday to raise money to go to church camp in Ruidoso.

The kids were stationed in the parking lot of C&S Inc. on West Second Street where they were grilling chicken and hot dogs to sell. They also rehearsed dances, which they plan to perform on July 19 during their morning church service to raise additional money.

Maddison Wofford, 15, said the kids have been doing fundraisers for a while. They have sold Krispy Kreme donuts twice and have had to rehearse a lot for their upcoming show.

Craig Aulaumea, the church youth pastor, said the kids currently have over $1,800, but that will not cover all 21 kids to attend the camp. The camp costs about $200 per kid. They will be gone July 20-24.

Aulaumea said last year, he took 11 kids to the camp. It provided an important time for them to bond in Christ as a family, he said.

“I took them last year and since, I have watched them grow,” Aulaumea said.

Ashley Ramirez, 15, said last year’s church camp changed her life.

link Staff photo: Anna George

Dominic Mascorro, left, 15, and Ashley Ramirez, right, 15, rehearse on Thursday for their July 19 fundraiser show at the Church of the Nazarene. Money raised will help send youth to church camp.

“It helped my walk with God and made me feel like a better person,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez has attended church camp three times since attending the Nazarene church, but she gets more excited about it every year, she said.

She is especially excited about this year, because the theme is Divergent, one of her favorite movies, she said.

“I think it is going to talk about how no matter what labels people put on you, you can follow your own path and do what God calls you to do,” Ramirez said.

Wofford said last year’s theme was called “Christian Zombie Killers” and talked about awakening the Christ follower inside of people, including herself.

“Our perception is you can be alive on Earth but not alive on the inside,” Wofford said.

However, in terms of raising money, differing beliefs have not had an affect.

Hermana Tu’akalau, a Mormon missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is working hand-in-hand with the Nazarene Church to earn the kids the money.

“Some people think churches can only work together within their own religion, but that’s not true,” she said.

Despite just meeting the kids today, the children’s need to go to church camp makes sense to her, she said.

“I know when kids are put in a good environment, especially during the summer, they’re able to grow through God and get closer to God,” Tu’akalau said.

The teens raised $900 at their Thursday event.