While there are still a lot of details coming together for this year's camp meeting, here's what we can tell you right now and some of the things you have to look forward to!
Oregon, Not Gladstone This Year
This year you'll see camp meeting being referred to as "Oregon Conference Camp Meeting" rather than "Gladstone Camp Meeting." We have decided that since we can't all get together at Gladstone this year, and we will instead have partner sites all over the Oregon Conference creating the camp meeting experience, it was only right to call it Oregon Conference Camp Meeting. Don't worry, it's not a permanent change and just like you, we can't wait to be back at Gladstone all together in person next year!
Sharing Jesus
This year is our fourth focusing on our mission statement, “It’s All About Jesus.” In particular this year, camp meeting will explore, “Sharing Jesus with Others.” As Adventists, we have a long history of sharing. We share faith. We share our Advent Message. We share a collection of doctrine and theology that carefully define who we are and what we believe. We find lots of ways to share about Jesus. Yet as important as those things are, they are incomplete unless Jesus himself is at the center. That’s why this year camp meeting will focus on “Sharing Jesus.” Not just sharing the message. Not just sharing the values. But sharing the person of Jesus. Together, we’ll be exploring this important question: “How can I actually share Jesus?”
In-Person Fellowship
In any online event, the thing we miss most is the personal human connection. That’s why we’re excited that Adventists and friends will be gathering in many Oregon Conference Partner Site churches to experience the 7:00 pm evening program together. These hybrid programs will help us all connect to the larger body of believers in the Oregon Conference, while experiencing the Christian fellowship of worshipping together in person. Our evening speaker, It Is Written’s John Bradshaw, will highlight the program from our Gladstone studio, along with music and special features both online and with your local congregation. Thanks to the gift of technology, Oregon Conference Camp Meeting 2021 will reach every corner of our conference, and far beyond!
Online Format
Spanish Camp Meeting (Campestre Hispano) will be led by main speaker, Pastor Gerizin De Peña, this year, July 15-17. English will feature John Bradshaw for the evening meetings and morning devotionals delivered by Derek Morris, president of Hope Channel. Online throughout each day you’ll find teaching and inspiration for people of all ages by a variety of speakers, with programming for everyone from children to adult. And while we hope you’ll be able to join in the evening worship program at a partner site church near you, you will be able to find all the events, seminars, programs, and much more through our website, YouTube channel, Facebook page, and mobile app.
Pronto Pups & ABC Sales
The SnackShack at Gladstone will also be open for at least two days during Camp Meeting Week for drive-thru Pronto Pups, Shamburgers, and kettle corn. Building on 2020’s experience with the drive-thru, the SnackShack team will be prepared for high demand to reduce or eliminate wait-times. As in years past, the ABC will be open and have their Camp Meeting Sale which will give customers the opportunity to buy at some of the year’s best prices. – We also hear that some of the partner sites will have pop-up SnackShack events so watch for more details on both the ABC and the Snack Shack pop-ups as we get closer to July!
A Bit on Kids Ministries During Camp Meeting
Children matter in Oregon. And our children’s ministries team is working hard to create engaging and memorable experiences for kids of all ages, both online and in-person at the partner sites. Stories, music, games and crafts will all be a part of the journey as kids learn to Share Jesus with Others through the experience of this year’s camp meeting!
Gladstone Campsite Reservations
Because camp meeting will be held online and at partner sites throughout the Conference, there will be no on-site camping at Gladstone during Camp Meeting Week in 2021. If you have a reservation for this year, you can either ask for a refund or roll your deposit/reservation over into 2022. For more detailed information and FAQ, go to the Gladstone Camp Meeting website at: www.OregonAdventist.org/gladstone-camp-meetings.
While we are certainly disappointed that we won’t be able to gather with thousands of others under the trees in Gladstone this summer, we can’t wait to share what God is putting together for Oregon Conference Camp Meeting this year! It’s shaping up to be a wonderful spiritual feast of inspiration, worship and fellowship. Make plans now to join in!
