School is out. Summer camps are on!

Over the summer holidays, many across England pitch their tents to attend Christian conferences. Ranging from Greenbelt to New Wine, the heart remains the same: to get to know God more. This extends to teenagers and young adults who attend their own events like Satellites (where BMS will be taking part in the programme), as they learn about Jesus, the love he has for them and respond to the gospel.

Youth camps in Thailand

However, it isn’t a UK or western world trend. In Thailand, young people gather to hear the same gospel preached. In 2025, more than 1,790 teenagers attended camps led by BMS World Mission partner Thailand Karen Baptist Convention (TKBC).

TKBC represent the Karen population in Thailand – an ethnic population that regularly faces marginalisation. BMS has been working in partnership with TKBC since 1988 to bear the witness of Jesus Christ while maintaining the culture and traditions of the Karen community. TKBC is one of the fastest growing Baptist denominations in Thailand.

The youth camps, which range from sports-focussed to Bible schools, provide an opportunity for young people to worship God and study the Bible together. But they also serve to protect and preserve the Karen culture.

Those who attended heard about topics including “Youth for Christ and the Church”, “Raising awareness of Karen culture” and “How to share the gospel”.

Reaching whole families

But it’s not just young people who are turning to Christ through the camps.

Somboon was leading a sports camp when his parents came to visit.

“One day, during a coaching training session, my parents came to visit me,” says Somboon. “That day we had dinner and talked together and after that my parents said they wanted to accept Jesus, even though they never knew God before. While I was serving God, they saw my live was changed… Everything that I share I know it’s God plan and God also provides everything that my family needs too.”

Sukanya Sanor, General Secretary of Youth in the Mae La Noi Association in Thailand, explained her heart behind all she does. “The reason I serve with the youth is that I thought we could help each other, and they will get to know God personally. I also get to see God’s work with the youth as they grow up and get to know God more.”

Please pray for Sukanya and the rest of TKBC as they organise and run their youth camps across the coming year. May more young people get to hear about and come to Christ.