June 26, 2014
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “I love talking with the kids one-on-one and presenting the message of Jesus in a way they can understand,” Dr. Shane Garrison of Campbellsville University said.
Garrison is in his fourth year of working with and serving alongside LifeWay's CentriKid Camp. It's a joy for Garrison, who serves as associate professor of education ministries at CU, and who has worked with thousands of young people through CentriKid.
Campbellsville University is serving as host to eight CentriKid camps this summer with about 4,500 students experiencing God on campus.
“I believe teaching and preaching at CentriKid sharpens my skills and makes me remember how I came to saving faith in Christ through vacation Bible school at the age of nine,” he said.
“Someone told me about Jesus in a way I could understand, I want to continue doing that as long as I am able to connect to younger hearts and lives.”
Garrison serves as a sermon content developer before camp in writing and creating sermons and worship elements for the evening worship services.
“There is a team of people all working to make CentriKid kid-friendly, biblically-rooted, and Gospel-centered,” said.
He said part of that role also includes training other college-aged camp pastors who serve at other CentriKid locations. He said they come to Camp Pastor Boot Camp for three days in May where “We work through all the messages and help each other become better in our preaching delivery and skills.”
Garrison's second role is to actually serve as a camp pastor for four cycles: three week long and one weekend.
“I feel my call is to work and develop strategies to teach children the essential truths of the Bible. That call translates to preaching every Sunday morning at whatever church I may be helping through transition as an interim pastor. That call translates to every class I teach at Campbellsville University in the School of Theology,” Garrison said.
Garrison has taught at CU since 2008. He is a 1999 graduate of Campbellsville University and received his master of divinity and master of arts in Christian education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2002 and 2003, respectively. He received his Ed.D. in leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2009.
He graduated from Hancock County High School in 1995 and is the son of Danny Garrison of Lewisport, Ky.
He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Isaac and Ethan. He is also president and lead consultant for Maple Trail Ministry Consultants.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.