Nancy Taylor: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Volunteers at this year’s Middle Florida Baptist Association (MFBA) camp at Pickett Lake began recording camp memories from the very first day.
When between 97 and 100 children and approximately 20 adults gather in a chapel at Pickett Lake, worship takes place! Several volunteers expressed their gratitude to God for the opportunity to worship with these sweet children.
According to one of the volunteers who worked and served the children during the week, the second day was “eventful, but they came through it still smiling.” At the end of the day, they were celebrating the salvation of one of the children.
Several children became new brothers and sisters in God’s family, and several rededicated their lives to the Lord on the third day of the camp. “That is the purpose of this camp, to share the good news of the gospel with every child here! I’m thankful God allows me the opportunity to see his work in the lives of the children He sends to us! God always has a plan,” said Camp Director Amy Fletcher.
“Let me just tell you how God works. Last week we found out our camp nurse couldn't make it, so we scrambled around last minute (or so we thought) trying to find a camp nurse, I posted on Facebook, and my sweet friend Sarah that we went to church with at Cornerstone in Perry stepped up and took on the task. She brought her son along with her to camp, and he got saved! It was all a part of a greater plan,” said Devin Thompson. Devin’s husband is the pastor at Midway Baptist Church, in Lee.
Another of the volunteers also came away feeling blessed for serving at the camp. “My heart is filled to overflowing tonight as I reflect on all we have experienced at camp this week. I have thoroughly enjoyed several years of running the crafts track here at Pickett Lake, but being a cabin leader with the youngest group of girls at camp has been nothing but awesome! Thank you, Amy [Fletcher], for your leadership and faithfulness! Satan tried time and again to put a negative spin on our week, but God prevailed,” said Kim Whigham.
Children’s camps are fun outreaches for churches, and the Middle Florida Baptist Association provides this opportunity to children of the area on an annual basis. Even when volunteers pack away all of the supplies and come home exhausted, most still say it was worth it. They are quick to acknowledge the importance of children’s (and youth) ministry. 13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.