If you take an audience survey at Washington Adventist Camp Meeting, you will discover a large percentage of people who come “by tradition” year after year.
“This is my vacation,” says a 90-year-old lady from Port Orchard. “Camp meeting is the nearest thing to heaven.”
The heavenly package of camp meeting features 10 days of families camping together, attending inspirational meetings, participating in community-building activities and forming common bonds through friendship.
Carl Cosaert, Walla Walla University professor, opened this year's camp meeting experience by sharing lessons from Paul's encounter with the risen Christ. Jerry and Janet Page, from the world church ministerial association, continued the inspirational messages with themes about revival and reformation. Ron C. Smith, Southern Union president, concluded with thoughts about church unity. The discipleship-focused workshops throughout the week supported the overall theme of “Living God’s Mission.”
“There is nothing more rewarding than being in the presence of God,” says John Freedman, Washington Conference president. “God wants to cleanse our hearts and call us to a greater commitment to Him.”
The adults attending camp meeting were not the only ones to hear spiritual revival messages. High school-aged youth learned about looking for divine appointments and praying in God’s name. Earliteen youth, ages 13 and 14, discussed how to be disciples of Jesus while juniors, ages 10–12, discovered more about following Jesus and younger children learned about the Creator, nature and missions.
Each evening in Rainier Auditorium, individuals shared stories about how God is transforming their lives and helping them live God’s mission through evangelism, education, discipleship and service.
“When God’s people gather together, we have an opportunity for revival,” Freedman says. “We saw Jesus at work in people’s lives through their camp meeting experience, and we anticipate what God will do in the next year.”
A new tradition (in its third year) at camp meeting is the Day of Ministry Training, during which local church leaders participate in training workshops on topics like teaching healthy living (as pictured here), setting up a prayer ministry, mentoring teens and developing leadership skills.
Camp meeting provides an annual time for individuals and families to experience spiritual growth through Bible-based messages, times of prayer and interaction with fellow believers.
Youth at Washington Adventist Camp Meeting learn about praying for divine appointments and praying in God's name.
Jerry Page, from the Adventist world church ministerial association, speaks about revival and reformation.
Janet Page, from the Adventist world church ministerial association, shares her story and challenges the camp meeting audience to "claim God's promises over your problems."
Thirty-seven kids in the junior department, with children ages 10–12, made a decision to be baptized.
