One of the greatest joys of our work is working with summer missionaries and student, associational, family, and church-wide mission teams. Each spring and summer we coordinate the work of hundreds of student and adult volunteers. The Gulf Area Resort Ministries team works with ministry volunteers to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Most of the individuals within the groups we work with are junior high and high school students. They partner with us to lead Backyard Bible Clubs beachside and at campgrounds. At these locations we also participate in beach evangelism. We use creative ministry tools such as water bottles and throwing discs with a gospel message, sand sculptures, volleyball games, and beachside music to attract people and converse with Gulf Coast visitors about what Christ has done for us. It's especially exciting for us in the spring and summer to challenge teenagers and college students to share their faith. Our prayer is to be used each season to impact those who may not know Christ with the gospel and to be used to strengthen other Christians in their faith as the go out on the beaches and witness in the name of Jesus.

Every year between the months of September and April thousands of retired couples and individuals flock down to the coast to spend several weeks or months away from their hometowns. These retired people are affectionately called snowbirds. The snowbirds are one of the groups that Gulf Area Resort Ministries intends to reach with Jesus' message of forgiveness and abundant life. Many of the snowbirds that have experienced Jesus Christ and his forgiveness of sin are partners in our ministry efforts. We work together during the winter months to answer the call of carrying Jesus' message to the world. In Gulf Shores, much of the world tends to come to us. People for Canada, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and several other areas attend our resort worship services at the Gulf State Park Campground, Island Retreat RV, Luxury RV, and the Plantation Resort. At these informal worship services the gospel is preached and the challenge to share with others what Christ has done for our world is also shared. These services are only the beginning of our challenge to be on mission to winter visitors. The snowbirds are also involved in weekly Bible studies, mission projects, and outreach fellowships. We love the snowbirds dearly. Our snowbird ministry motto has become "if it's snowbird season, why can't we cage them up and keep them here?"