ORLANDO (ABP) — More than 1,600 youth from Baptist, Episcopalian and Presbyterian traditions will get a three-dimensional view of Christianity during a youth conference in January.
And, oh yes, they get to go to Disney World.
“Faith in 3D” is a three-day event sponsored by the Episcopal Church, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Presbyterian Church (USA) at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. It is co-hosted by Passport Inc., a Birmingham-based ecumenical camping ministry for children and youth, birthed among moderate Baptists 13 years ago.
David Burroughs, founder and president of Passport, said it's easy for Christians who grow up in just one tradition to have a small view of what other Christian groups believe and do. “The conference focuses on the large family of Christ and what that means,” Burroughs said.
Organizers are balancing registration so that an equal number of sixth- through twelfth-graders from each of the three Christian groups will participate. Open to churches nationwide, the Jan. 13-16 conference already has registered about 500 youth from each group.
“We were shooting for 300 from each denomination for a total of 900,” Burroughs said. But those slots quickly sold out, so the capacity was expanded to 1,500. “We now have over 1,600 registered, with more to come.”
Staging the event at Walt Disney World will allow students to participate in programs that teach about wildlife preservation and animal behavior, as well as learn about leadership and world cultures.
“This is not about converting to another denomination,” said Betsy Boyd, staff officer for youth ministries for the Episcopal Church. Instead, “Faith in 3D” will celebrate the differences and strengthen cooperation. “This is about sharing our Christian story,” she said. “And I think it strengthens you as a denomination to see what you have and how it works with the rest of the Christian world.”
Each faith group represented will invite a speaker and worship group of their choice to lead one of the first three services during the conference. An ecumenical worship band will play on Sunday. The youth will participate in open communion.
Speakers include contemporary singer, songwriter and speaker Kyle Matthews, representing the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship; Presbyterian minister Herbert Nelson, and Altagracia Perez, director of Holy Faith Episcopal Church in Inglewood, Calif.
Bo Prosser, coordinator for congregational life for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, said the project fits well with CBF's goals. “One of our priority areas is to put together ecumenical dialogues, and this is a good opportunity for ecumenical dialogues,” he said, adding, “Disney is a great place to take youth, and they get to take advantage of several parks, as well as the activities they will present.”
The $275 cost covers lodging, programming and other expenses, and a three-day pass to any of Disney's parks in Orlando.
Passport hosts 29 weeks of summer camps for youth and children from various denominations, as well as several specialty camps offering cross-cultural experiences.