Washington Camp Meeting Highlights Evangelism

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.'"

Featured in: August 2008