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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Community leaders have come together to help campers at the YMCA of Chilton County start each day with a devotional.

Many of the speakers have chosen a specific Bible verse to focus on, while others have taken a broader topic as their subject.

On a recent morning, Christie Mitchell chose the importance of respecting and obeying authority as her topic.

She started the devotion time by having each campers draw a picture of their family and talking about the rules at their house and the reasons behind these rules.

“Sondra Jones is one of our counselors, and she just reached out to some of the churches,” YMCA of Chilton County CEO Lori Patterson said.

Patterson said the presentation is usually 20 minutes after breakfast but before other activities.

“We have had a really good response of people being generous with their time to come and talk to our kids, because they know it makes an impact on them,” Patterson said.

Those who were interested in the opportunity have included pastors, children’s ministry leaders and other community leaders from a number of local churches. Devotionals have been led by Mitchell, Cathy Newton, Anna Sanders, Candi Bassett, Bro. Chris Ferguson, Caitlin and Michael Seaton, Bro. Kevin Corley, Bro. Caleb Jones, Kent Dodson, Greg DeJarnett and Rebecca Threlkeld. Topics have ranged from the story of The Good Samaritan to the Fruit of the Spirit.