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Nothing about the year 2020 has been easy. From a…
In my time with The Christian Chronicle, I’ve enjoyed visiting a number of Christian camps across the nation, from Camp Yamhill in Oregon to Camp Manatawny in Pennsylvania to Central Florida Bible Camp in, well, Florida.
I’ve written about Bible camps lighting fires and fanning flames. I’ve shared anecdotes about tied-up counselors and sneaky skunks. I’ve sampled Dick Potter’s famous meatloaf at Gander Brook Christian Camp in Maine.
Brandon Armstrong hugs his cousin Rachel Weldy after baptizing her at Michigan Christian Youth Camp in Attica in 2009. (Photo by Rebecca Schad)
Last fall, I wrote a Page 1 story about baptisms at camp:
Across the nation, thousands of church members — young and old — trace the washing away of their sins to a river, creek, lake, pond or swimming hole at a summer Bible camp.
Roger Woods, minister of the Walled Lake, Mich., church, was 11 years old when he and best friend Steve Vogel made the decision to be baptized at Aloha Christian Camp in Hawaii.
The year: 1970.
“We called home to get permission and then were immersed in the camp pool surrounded by the whole camp as witnesses,” Woods said. “To this day, I remember how strongly I felt the Lord’s presence as the group of us who were baptized huddled together and sang ‘I know the Lord will find a way for me.’”
As I type this, I can hear the excited chatter of hundreds of young people attending Camp Impact and Camp Cornerstone on the Oklahoma Christian University campus.
In case you hadn’t guessed it, it’s summertime — which means it’s Bible camp time.
If you’ve read this far, why not take the time to leave a comment and share your favorite memories of church camp? Be sure to include the name of the camp and your home congregation in case we decide to quote you in a future Chronicle story.
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There have been many nights of almost no sleep, but of nearly endless study and discussion. I still recall a friend of mine and I staying up until the “wee hours” studying with a friend. Finally, about 3 in the morning, he decided to put Christ on in baptism. My friend baptized him, but he wanted me to be “in the water,” too, which was a thrill that I won’t soon forget.
Each year, as I head to camp, I pray that God will use those days to bring precious souls to Him, and that others will repent and return to their first love.