UNIFIED 127: FUGE 2026
FUGE 2026
17 Teenagers
6 adults
Lakeland, FL (SEU Campus)
Summertime is filled with swimming, scorching temperatures, family vacations, celebrating America, and FUGE Camp! FUGE Camp, also known as Centrifuge, has evolved over the years to include MFuge, a mission-focused camp. MFuge aims to provide practical service in the community in the name of Jesus Christ. This marks the first time UNIFIED 127 (Temple Baptist Church’s youth group) has participated in MFuge, and it was an incredible experience. We had the privilege of assisting growing churches, painting and cleaning them, visiting nursing home seniors, and even creating a safe haven for children in local parks with games, face painting, and bracelet-making activities. All of these efforts were aimed at sharing the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We all stepped out of our comfort zones and gave all the glory to God for the remarkable accomplishments achieved this week.
The entire week was dedicated to the theme “The Good Shepherd: A Study of Psalm 23.” The impact of these six verses should resonate deeply within our hearts, just as it did for King David.
Psalm 23
New American Standard Bible 1995
The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.
A Psalm of David.
23
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Jesus is not merely the Good Shepherd; He is also the Good Peace, the Good Restoration, the Good Presence, and the Good Life. These qualities are all embodied by David in this Psalm. And let me share a little secret with you: we all desperately needed His peace, His restoration, His presence, and His life as the week progressed. In fact, spiritual warfare began the Saturday before our departure and continued until I parked the church van under the shelter.
Our students were experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as we approached the Southeastern University Campus in Lakeland, Florida. Students and leaders alike were grappling with a mix of anxiety and excitement, anticipating the profound spiritual revelations that awaited them in these few days. Some students were torn between the desire to leave their families and the readiness to embrace this new chapter. However, at a pivotal moment during the week, all of them faced a significant spiritual battle.
We all faced stress, and adding the scorching 250-degree Florida heat made it even more challenging. We had to exercise the “tolerance of others in love” (Ephesians 4:2). I can’t express how much we yearned for and felt your prayers from home. Thank you so much, TBC! Students are constantly pulled in various directions by the world, and the week at Fuge is even more intense because the enemy was working overtime to undermine us. But don’t worry, these kids are incredibly resilient! They handle far more than we can comprehend, and this is the week they can focus on having fun, putting away their cell phones, and fully dedicating themselves to the glory of God.
I may never be able to recount all the battles fought, but I can point to the victories we have achieved in Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled His promise, and six teenagers professed the name of Jesus before the end of the week! One of them emphatically turned to find me and exclaimed, “Mr. LaDon, I want to give my life to Christ!” Praise the Lord for adding to the kingdom!
As youth leaders, we have a unique opportunity to witness the transformation of students (and adults) within this setting. Often, as parents, we become so engrossed in our parental roles that we fail to recognize that our children are living their own lives within the family unit. We take care of them, provide for their needs, and even offer them things that we didn’t have at their age. However, we often overlook their individual perspectives and beliefs. They are constantly bombarded with different “truths,” but this group understands that the only true truth can be found in Jesus Christ. Some of these children are maturing too quickly, and this week, they had the opportunity to be teenagers and gaze upon the Savior without any distractions or compromises. I want to express my gratitude for nurturing and supporting your children and for partnering with Temple Baptist Church.
On Monday, June 29th, we traveled 5 hours, teens and adults trying to keep our spiritual armor own as we traveled. As for some teens, they were headed to their divine appointment with their Savior, Jesus Christ. For others, it was the strengthening of their faith being around other like minded christian students from all over. For some of us, it was a blood soaked battle advocating for these young people.
Camp week at TBC is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experiences for leaders. We have the privilege of ministering to these young individuals week after week, witnessing their transformation and becoming ambassadors for the King as He captivates their hearts and melts our own.
I confess that I needed Psalm 23 this week. I needed Christ to “lie me down in green pastures and quiet waters.” I needed the Lord to calm my fears as I walked through the darkness, protecting these young lives. And I absolutely need the strength that only the Lord provides as I sat at “a table before in the presence of my enemies.” The Lord is faithful and true, just as He was at Fuge 2026.
Psalm 23:6
6
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
P.S.: Just remember, get uncomfortable church, you don’t grow in comfort.