SB2W Citikidz is a Christian sports camp in pursuit of the impact and development of urban youth ages 8 to 18 and their leaders through culturally relevant Christian sports camps. Our ministry is an exciting adventure of building Christian character through competitive athletics. We call it life on life, Incarnational evangelism; teaching competition in the context of Christ, rather than Christ in the context of competition.
We believe Jesus was the most competitive Person to walk the face of the Earth and He proved it the day He fought the grave, hell, and sin to the death, conquering them all through His own death and resurrection. Today, He still competes for your heart and mind, though He has NO worthy opponents.We desire to build relationships leading to God encounters, new experiences, and deeper exploration of a relationship with Christ through introducing campers to a wide variety of Clinics: archery, canoeing, martial arts, mountain biking, track and field, swimming, high adventure elements and initiatives, weight training, etc. Campers have the opportunity to advance their skills in individual sports. Each day, campers meet for Bible study and receive opportunity to put life lessons into practice on the competition field.
Our Scripture Base
‘Return to your house and show the great things God has done to you.’ And he left and became a herald to the entire city of the great things Jesus did for him. (Luke 8:39)
Our Motto: I’M THIRD
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets’.” – (Matthew 22:37-39).
The vertical piece of the cross represents our relationship with God. The horizontal piece of the cross represents our relationship with others. The shoes that hang on the cross remind us that no matter where we go and no matter what type of shoes we wear, if we know Jesus, we carry His cross and His name with us. God First. Others Second. I’m Third.
Our Vision, Mission, Purpose
VISION: We exist to teach, train, and transform urban America…
MISSION …in order to impact and develop Christian leadership in urban communities by providing educational experiences through Christian sports camps…
PURPOSE …so that all who come would begin authentic relationships with Christ and revolutionize their communities.
Our Promise
Who is our target? To all who have a passion to see urban communities experience lasting impact…
What are we to our target? …we are the model Christian experience in America for the urban community…
What do we do for our target? …that encourages positive influence, empowers courageous leadership, and equips the next generation for service in God’s Kingdom.
Our DNA
Our target audience loves us because we are:
- Christ-centered
- Biblically sound
- Culturally relevant
- Extremely fun
- Reasonably priced
Our Philosophy
Life on life, incarnational evangelism, according to John 1:14 the perfect summation of how Jesus walked with His disciples, displaying the glory of the Father in all things and discussing truth with them using words seasoned with grace.
Our Core Values: R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Relationship
The way in which one or more things is connected (Mark 12:28-34) We believe in creating a loving, grace-filled, and accepting community where relationships can flourish, unity is developed and role models for the Christian life are provided.
Excellence
To exceed the standard (Philemon 1:21) We believe excellence in giving even beyond our absolute best effort with what God has given us, to honor Him in all we do.
Safety: Being protected from that which causes serious injury (Proverbs 29:25) We believe in creating a safe haven for campers to be able to express their feelings, explore new territories, and enjoy the experience without the threat of severe danger.
Participation
To take part in experience (Philippians 3:10) We believe in the collective sharing of healthy experiences whether for the first time or one of many in order for the growth and encouragement of others.
Enthusiasm
To be possessed, inspired, influenced, or controlled by God (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) We believe in the literal awe-inspiring presence of God being with every moment of every day, testing and proving us with the consuming fire of His love.
Character
The qualities stamped on a person’s heart (Romans 5:1-5) We are committed to holistic development of the heart; spiritual, mental, socio-emotional, financial, and physical, as a part of God’s plan for abundant life.
Truth
The quality of something in accordance with reality (John 8:32) We believe integrity is the door to knowing one’s self. Truth is the key that can open that door.
Our Strategy
Community Living
Campers will live in cabin community with college-aged staff at a ratio of 1 staff to at most 6 campers.
Competitive Athletics
Campers will participate in teams in competitive athletic events of all kinds.
Recreational Activities
Campers will experience entertaining and challenging activities in a controlled environment.
Wilderness Experiences
Campers will experience the thrill of the outdoors and enjoy the magnificence of God’s creation.
Small Group Bible Study
Campers will be encouraged, equipped, and educated, on systematic theology in a discussion group setting.
Relevant Programming
Campers will experience program/curriculum that relates to their situation and urban youth culture.
Timotheus Pope
President/CEO
Timotheus Pope is a passionate, fun-loving, cartoon-crazed, out of the box, little boy trapped in a grown man’s body. T. Pope is a graduate of Mary Washington College with a BA in Religion and concentration in Philosophy, started working at camp in 2004, and is now the President/CEO of Citikidz. He married his wife Kendra, who is a graduate of Ole Miss, in 2006 and together, they have eight children: Simeon, Jada, Kayla, Judah, Susanna, Charity, Asher, and Haven. Pope’s favorite superhero of all time is now the Black Panther, closely followed by Batman and Spiderman, he is a Green Bay Packers fan, and basketball is his sport of choice.
Alan Jones
Director of Finance
Alan Jones is a 2012 graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a 2014 graduate of JMU with a Master’s degree in Public Administration, with a concentration in Public and Non-Profit Management. Alan began serving at camp in 2013 and joined the full-time staff in 2015. He serves as the Director of Finance. He married his beautiful wife Kenisha, who is also a JMU grad, in 2015, and they have three sons, Ezekiel, Moses, and Theo.
Brandon Claycomb
Director of Facilities
Brandon Claycomb serves Citikidz as the Director of Facilities, spending his time maintaining buildings and vehicles, beautifying our property, and stewarding all equipment with the best of care. He began volunteering at Citikidz as early as 2011, joined part-time staff in 2014, and transitioned to full-time staff in 2016. He married Dr. Christy Claycomb, a veterinarian, in 2002 and they have five children: Briar, Gage, Nash, Tad, and Ridge.
Wanick Fayette
Director of Program
Wanick Fayette is a funny, charismatic leader who loves to work with his hands. He was born in the village of Don Don, Haiti. Wanick is also a 2016 graduate of Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and a 2022 graduate of United Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Wanick was a 2009 camper, on summer staff from 2012 through 2017, and a kaleo in 2014, 2017, and 2018 and has pastored two churches in his local community. Now, Wanick serves here full-time as the Director of Program. He is living proof that the Citikidz is teaching, training, and transforming, providing access to live a healthy lifestyle and support to steward that opportunity with the best of care. He married his beautiful wife Amara, a registered nurse, in 2016, and they are foster parents. Currently, they have 4 children, and in the span of 2 years have parented over 10 children. In August of 2023, they will officially adopt their lovely daughter, Alivia Joy Fayette.
Jesaiah Reed
Chief of Staff
Jesaiah holds an Associates Degree in Ministry from The College of Biblical Studies. He married former Citikidz staffer, Abbey Reed, in 2017 and they have been blessed with two sons, Travis and Jeremiah. He enjoys family time, basketball, and board games. Prior to joining the full-time staff in 2022 as our Assistant Director of Staff, Jesaiah spent 6 years in camp serving in various roles. He is a native of Houston, TX and loves all things Houston.
Brion Elliott, Jr.
Director of Kaleos
Brion Elliott Jr. is from Woodbridge, VA. He is a former collegiate athlete and graduate of Lancaster Bible College where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He began at Citikidz in the summer of 2022, after completing a Titanium Summer, and signed onto the full-time staff that September as the Director of Kaleos. He loves the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bulls, is a singer and worship leader, and filled with hidden talents!
Abbey Reed
Administrative Director
Abbey Reed is a 2016 graduate of Hillsdale College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and International Business and a former collegiate athlete. Abbey served at Citikidz for seven summers before joining our offseason staff part-time as the administrative director. Abbey is a native of Troy, Michigan and prior to moving from Houston, TX was a teacher and coach at Providence Classical School for 6 years. Abbey Reed is married to Jesaiah Reed, and they have two sons, Travis and Jeremiah. Abbey loves basketball, competition, and logistics.
Alexis Hunter
Registrar
Alexis Hunter is an authentic ball of energy, with the life experience of an adult and the heart, courage, and imagination of a child.
She is a graduate of Howard University with a degree in Psychology. She is returning to Citikidz as the Registrar after serving as a counselor in 2016 and a Kaleo in 2021. She is married to her husband, Ronald Hunter who is a graduate of McDaniel college.
Her favorite superheroes are Rogue and the Dark Phoenix from the 90’s X-Men.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides fundraising strategy through financial support and fiscal responsibility, relational advocacy through ethnic and cultural diversity and geographic partnerships, and organizational accountability through spiritual direction, professional development, and vision rehearsal. Those members are:
Jimmy D. Compton Jr., Chairman
Dr. Jessica E. Ugwu, Secretary
Edward J. Grefenstette
Megan E. Wilson
Arthur N. Moats III
Dr. Chris M. Johnson, Sr.
Norlyque L. Redd
Sharonda L. Leonard
Kaleo Council
Kaleos are the backbone of Citikidz. They are the called, connected, committed leaders in their cities, churches, communities, and corporate spaces who engage in restorative work for the glory of God and the good of the people evidenced by activity pointing to Christ. We call that redemptive business.
Kaleos also attend camp with students in the summer to relax, refresh, and reenergize. We could not be who we are, nor do what we do without them. Several kaleos serve on a committee that we call the Kaleo Council, providing us advice, wisdom, and insight to the needs in urban areas so that we can continue to provide relevant programming that fills the needs of all who come.
