The theme for the 2024 Falls Creek summer youth weeks may cause some to recall 1980s lingo or stereo- typical surfer slang. In reality, the theme describes the nature and character of God.

Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director, said “Totally” was selected as this year’s theme “to help students take a journey into and respond to the truths of who God is.”

“In a world that is uncertain, that is always changing, that is volatile, our God is totally different,” Sanders said. “Each week at Falls Creek this summer, we will discuss how God is ‘totally knowing, totally present, totally caring and totally capable.’ We want to help students respond to the truths of who God is and be more anchored (in Him) in a culture that provides few anchors.”

Psalm 139:17 is the verse of which the theme “Totally” has its focus, which says “How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!”

Falls Creek will once again feature a notable slate of speakers with a variety of newcomers to the summer youth weeks and veteran camp preachers. Some are Oklahoma pastors; some are nationally-known among Southern Baptists, and there are evangelists who have been effective in delivering evangelical messages to young people.

Week one features Chip Luter, who serves as senior associate pastor at New Orleans, La., Franklin Street, under the leadership of his father, Fred Luter, Jr. Luter has been a camp speaker and recently spoke at Falls Creek in 2023 during the Spring Retreat for college students. The worship band for week one will be So We May.

Duncan Blackwell, pastor of Elk City, First, will make his Falls Creek speaking debut as the week two speaker. Blackwell has been at Elk City, First since April 2022 and delivered the annual sermon at Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting in 2022. Worship Collective will be the worship band for week two.

Cody Brumley, pastor of Jenks, First, also makes his speaking debut at Falls Creek during week three. Brumley returned to Jenks, First in 2022 after pastoring in Little Rock, Ark. He was executive pastor in his previous role at Jenks, First. Carson Wagner, who is the worship pastor at Jenks, First, will join Brumley at Falls Creek to lead worship during week three.

International Mission Board (IMB) President Paul Chitwood has spoken at Falls Creek in the past, but this will be the first time he has spoken during the summer youth weeks for week four. Sanders said having Chitwood speaking at Falls Creek this summer demonstrates the “great relationship” Falls Creek has with the IMB. Cody Dunbar, worship pastor at Yukon, TogetherWe, is a Falls Creek regular and will lead worship during week four.

Ryan Fontenot made his first speaking appearance at Falls Creek in 2022 and has quickly become a favorite speaker. He is an evangelist who has been involved in Southern Baptist work in Texas and returns to be the camp speaker for weeks five and seven. Worship Collective returns to lead worship for week five, and Roberson, a husband-wife duo, will be leading worship for week seven.

Jamie Dew, president of New Orleans Seminary, will be the camp speaker for week six. Dew has been to Falls Creek in the past for Collegiate Week, but this will be his speaking debut for the summer youth weeks. Nate Jernigan is on staff at New Orleans Seminary as an assistant professor of music and worship and will lead worship during week six.

Zack Randles will be the final speaker at Falls Creek this summer for week eight. A pastor in Washington, D.C., Randles will make his second appearance as a Falls Creek summer speaker. He will be bringing Denver Duncan, the worship pastor at his church, to lead worship during week eight.

Falls Creek will once again offer a variety of recreational activities for campers, as well as breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics such as dealing with grief and loneliness, how to study the Bible and other general spiritual growth opportunities.

Missions Mobilization will be another returning emphasis this summer, connecting campers with sending opportunities. A new feature will focus on Disaster Relief (DR), helping students and leaders be aware of the importance of this Oklahoma Baptists ministry. Falls Creek will offer a practical mission project where participants make care bags and write messages of encouragement that DR volunteers can give to disaster victims.

“As always, we will do evangelism training throughout the week,” Sanders said. “We will have opportunities in the afternoons where our staff has the chance to engage students in evangelistic conversations.”

Sanders and other Falls Creek leaders expect a “totally” great summer. More information about the Falls Creek youth weeks can be found at oklahomabaptists.org/youthcamp.