Wouldn’t it be great to be able to serve the Lord by doing something you have always been passionate about? Well, our man in the spotlight this week has done just that. As a former two year starter at defensive tackle for the S.M.U. mustangs, and later a football coach at Texas A&M, Joe White has always had a love for sports. As president and owner of Kanakuk Kamp for kids (along with his wife Debbie-Jo) he is able to try and instill Christ-like behavior in teens by teaching them in a sports setting.

C.L. Ford of Dallas, Texas started Kanakuk Kamps in 1926. Thirty years later the Kamp was sold to Spike and Darnell White. In 1966 Joe White became part of his parents’ staff as a camp counselor. In 1972 Joe married another camp counselor, Debbie-Jo Downs, and four years later they were asked to take over the family business. Kanakuk Kamp is comprised of several non-denominational Christian summer sports camps. Their motto is “exciting adventure in Christian athletics�. At the Kamp the kids are taught to have a Christ-like attitude on the athletic fields and courts all across America. As a former college athlete and coach, Joe White has special insight into what pressures kids face in athletics, and understands the difference that instilling biblical principles can make in a teen’s life, both on and off the field. Today, there are twelve separate camps that make up Kanakuk Kamp, and 20,000 kids age 7-18 attend the camps each year. The camps are based on four main principles:
1. I’m third. God first…. Others second….. I’m third…
2. Four Square Life “ And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.� Luke 2:52
3. Let Your Light So Shine “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.� Matthew 5:16
4. A Rock At A Time Big things may be accomplished- one small step after another.

Although Kanakuk Kamp and his work with teens takes up much of his time and energy, Joe White still finds time to reach out to an older audience for the Lord. Joe’s other activities include:
• Being a regular speaker for “Promise Keepers�
• Being a guest host for the Christian radio show “Focus on the Family�
• Joe speaks at NFL football and professional baseball chapels
• Active member of “Woodland Hills Community Church� in Branson, MO.

With the “Promise Keepers organization, Joe has gained notoriety with his portrayals of the “Cross Builder�, and more recently as the “Apostle Peter�. This summer he has committed to five speaking engagements: St. Louis- July 29-30, St. Paul-Sep.9-10, Houston- Oct.14-15, Denver- Oct.21-22, and The Bahamas on Nov. 6-12. Dr. James Dobson, host of the enormously popular family call-in show “Focus on the Family� says of White, “Joe White knows more about teenagers than anyone in North America.�

Whether he is speaking to teens at Kanakuk Kamp, Adult men at a “Promise Keepers� rally, or to a concerned parent on the radio, Joe White has one singular purpose; to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to encourage Christ-like behaviors and attitudes in everyone from teen to adult.

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