“Consumed with Christ” was the theme of Upper Columbia Conference’s first extended camp meeting held June 15–18 on the campus of Upper Columbia Academy, near Spangle, Wash. From the youngest children’s divisions to the adult seminars and speakers, the call was heard and answered.
Shirley James arrived on Wednesday, stayed in the UCA girls’ dorm, and didn’t miss a single meeting from the 6:30 a.m. prayer room to the closing service in the evening.
“I’ve just taken it all in and it’s been such a blessing,” says James. “It’s been a renewing experience spiritually for me.”
Robert Folkenberg Jr., UCC president, says he heard the same from many people. “People sense that God’s presence has been here and they are leaving more consumed with Christ,” he says.
Folkenberg says he feels this first camp meeting on UCA’s campus went wonderfully. More than 2,000 children and adults attended Sabbath services. Both the boys’ and girls’ dorms were packed, and there were 45 tent sites and 71 RV sites, according to Jay Wintermeyer, camp-meeting director.
“We are really excited about camp meeting … turnout was better than we expected this year,” says Wintermeyer.
Mark Etchell, Walla Walla (Wash.) City Church senior pastor, says he hopes to see camp meeting continue and expand on the UCA campus.
“There’s a sense of camaraderie, there’s a sense of community that we have not gotten before,” says Etchell. “I’ve got a blessing just from seeing the excitement of my members who have been here who have been blessed."
If you missed out on the blessing this year, make sure to be a part of the 2012 UCC camp meeting. Next year’s theme is “Consumed with His Cause” and will feature speakers John Bradshaw, Bob Folkenberg Sr., Dwight Nelson and Mike Ryan.
A video slide show of this year's camp meeting is available online at www.uccsda.org/campmeeting. Lodging registration for the 2012 camp meeting opens Feb. 1, 2012.
The 2011 Upper Columbia Conference camp meeting is bathed in prayer, putting the prayer room to good use.
Dave Livermore, Upper Columbia Conference personal evangelism director, shares about evangelism outreach from the platform in the Upper Columbia Academy gymnasium during the UCC camp meeting.
