Record numbers of people attended Washington Camp Meeting this summer to "Seek Jesus."
"Everything about camp meeting this year was evangelistically focused, including our live [Internet] stream," says Doug Bing, Washington Conference vice president for administration. "We had members inviting their friends to 'go' to camp meeting online or to see what the Seventh-day Adventist Church is all about."
From a nightly baptismal class, to community service projects, to spontaneous (and planned) prayer groups, to speaker's presentations on finding a deeper relationship with Jesus, the focus was "Seeking Jesus." The theme was part one of the conference's evangelism concentration: Stop and seek Jesus; Yield and pray for the Holy Spirit; and Go, take Jesus to the world.
Stories of God moving in people's lives punctuated the 10 days of camp meeting: a couple who listened to a Spanish radio program; a woman who attended evangelistic meetings after Adventist volunteers cleaned up her flood-damaged home; church members who use their talents (whatever their profession) for witnessing; and individuals who committed to Jesus through baptism at camp meeting.
In the face of the current economy, the camp meeting evangelism offering goal of $350,000 seemed a long shot. However, the final weekend offering of $235,821.60 brought the total to $334,156.82—and donations and pledges are still coming in. The goal for 2009 is $375,000.
"I hope camp meeting never becomes just about raising money, but instead continues to be a time for spiritual growth and renewal," says John Freedman, conference president. "What we do really is 'All about Jesus.'"
Al and Glenys Ahlers have attended camp meeting for 41 years and recorded meetings on tape, CD and DVD for 38 years. John Freedman, Conference president, thanks them publicly for their service. (Heidi Martella)
Whether spontaneously or planned, personal or corporate, prayer was a central part of "Seeking Jesus" at Washington Camp Meeting. (Heidi Martella)
Jason Bergmann, Washington Conference associate treasurer, tracks the daily evangelism offering totals. (Heidi Martella)
Record numbers of people attended the 2008 Washington Camp Meeting in Auburn, Wash. (Heidi Martella)
Highlighting the conference emphasis on evangelism, twelve people were baptized at Washington Camp Meeting this year, including this young woman who was baptized by Lowell Teves, pastor. (Heidi Martella)
Greg Reseck, Cedarbrook School principal, performed an original song inspired by the camp meeting theme. (Heidi Martella)
