The first Northeastern Washington Camp Meeting was held at the beautiful, newly purchased Sheridan Meadows campgrounds. What was formerly a 55-acre golf course is located about 5 miles west of Republic, Wash. About 200 people in attendance Sabbath morning could claim the status of charter attendees.
Camp meeting started on Tuesday evening, July 17, and ended on Saturday evening, July 21, with morning and evening messages on the theme, “We Still Have This Hope” by Derek Marley, Takoma Park (Md.) Church pastor. Pastors from the sponsoring congregations brought “Morning Manna” messages each day at 7 a.m.
Although the grounds have yet to be developed with full facilities for camping, about 50 campers enjoyed the pristine surroundings. Beginning Tuesday afternoon, campers formed work crews to clear fallen logs and forest debris, which were heaped into a larger burn pile by a small bobcat bulldozer.
Members from the congregations in the area convened a constituency meeting on Friday afternoon to discuss the immediate and future needs of the camp. The Sabbath offering brought in $15,000 in cash and pledges, $4,000 of which will be used to improve the existing water system to the house of the on-site host and for the building dedicated as the fireside chapel.
Sabbath afternoon featured a glorious concert, hosted by the very talented teens from the Young Disciple Camp in nearby Inchelium. There was a choir, string orchestra and the very unique "angklung" chorale. An angklung is a musically pitched bamboo instrument.
Mel Pond, Grand Coulee/Republic Church pastor, whose leadership was repeatedly acknowledged as being key to the event actually happening this year, was pleased by the blessing received by those who attended. The story of “Miracle Meadows” as Dan Knapp, Colville/Ione pastor, called it on Sabbath morning, includes the discovery of an unexpectedly abundant water source on the property.
The camp meeting was a huge success and very well received by the combined churches of Northeast Washington. It is the vision of the area churches that the site become a spiritual retreat for people all over the Inland Northwest.
Derek Marley, Takoma Park (Md.) Church pastor, affirms the Advent hope in preaching morning and evening. (Tiffani Caldwell)
Violinist Natasha Towns praises God with her violin. (Tiffani Caldwell)
Generations gather for the spiritual feast. (Tiffani Caldwell)
A parachute provides a canopy of comfort. (Tiffani Caldwell)
