A new local group, Jesus Movement, which identifies as an interfaith church without walls, hosted G.O.A.T. Camp in Brookhaven April 2-4. The event takes place twice a year, the first Tuesday through Thursday, in April and October. 

G.O.A.T. (God Over All Things) is free and open to the community at the Brookhaven Exchange Club Park’s small Ballfield at 250 Hartman St. 

Camp is open to children ages five and up. The April camp had more than 100 campers. 

Guest speakers were Sydnee Westrope of Wesson, Franklin County’s Most Beautiful Jayla Ward, and Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Baptist Student Union. Wesson BETA Club and Brookhaven High School Football Team also served as volunteers, along with Jesus Movement and a number of community individuals. 

“The camp came to me in a vision. I didn’t understand it at first. God kept me up at night for weeks. It wasn’t until I got a pen and paper out that the vision starting making sense,” said camp founder Jessica Breazeale.

GOAT Camps started three years ago and have continued to grow each time. 

“We have a number of needs, but God has always provided. We’ll need food and ‘bam’ it just shows up. We’ll have a guest speaker cancel due to conflict, and ‘bam’ someone gladly steps up. I’ve been learning trust,” said Breazeale. “And it’s been one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced.”

The three-day camp offers sports, activities, guest speakers and dinner is provided. 

“We teach them how to put God Over All Things. Young people feel pulled in so many directions. We constantly emphasize that God wants your whole heart — learn to let God be over your sports, your friends, your extracurriculars, your emotions, your, well … everything!” Breazeale said. 

Three teens gave their lives to Christ at camp. Two knelt down at first base to make their salvation moment special. 

“Seeing kids surrender their lives to Christ makes it all worth it. It’s hard work, putting this camp on, but we know all too well the reward is in the ‘hard.’ There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing!” said Breazeale. 

Ricky and Jessica Breazeale of Wesson are planning a baptism service at their residence at the end of the month in their swimming pool, where nine people have already signed up to be baptized. 

“We don’t mind being unconventional for the sake of Christ. Our motto is ‘Get Used To Different’ and so we focus on trying to reach the vast majority of people (70 percent) who don’t go to church and won’t go. We understand their hurts, habits and hangups with church buildings so we are stay-ing with the vision God gave us, which is to say and do hard things — even when we may look odd,” Breazeale explained. “Someone has to go after the majority to show them God’s love … if not me, then who? If not now, when?” 

The next G.O.A.T. Camp is Oct. 1-3.