By Greg Brothers

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Our goal for Oregon Camp Meeting is that everybody who comes would experience what it means to live in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit” – Dan Linrud, President of the Oregon Conference.

To be honest, some were just a little bit worried about this year’s camp meetings – both Spanish and English-language.

It had been three years, after all, since the last big get-togethers – time enough for plumbing and electrical systems to develop all kinds of glitches.

Then there was the ice storm that wiped-out the campus WiFi.

And the big tents that arrived late.

And the question of staffing. “We usually have 400 to 500 volunteers,” says director of Locations, Kerry Nelson. “This year, we had 300.”

In fact, some wondered if anyone would show up. “We didn’t know if the church members would be willing to come back after the pandemic,” says David Paczka, the director of Hispanic Ministries. “Many are used to watching it on-screen; others could be afraid of getting COVID-19.”

“We didn’t know what to expect,” adds Randy Hill, this year’s coordinator for camp meeting. “That was our biggest challenge.”

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AN INCREDIBLE GROUP

If the challenge was great, then so was God’s help.

“Our biggest blessing,” says Pastor Macy Weir, “has been a brand-new team of pastors and volunteers who are willing to dive in and roll with the punches.”

“We have an incredible group of young pastors,” agrees Camp Superintendent Gary Parks.

Cool weather meant there was no corn for Friday’s social, so they found a way to roast 3000 potatoes instead.

Due to company staffing shortages, the Plaza Pavilion tent wasn’t set up in time, so they found a way to have the first night of Spanish-language camp meeting in the Holden Convention Center.

Little by little, God showed the teams how to solve problems, answer questions, and meet challenges.

“This year,” says Grounds Manager Matt Ballard, “just having camp meeting was an example of God at work.

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POWER AND PRESENCE

God certainly was working at our camp meetings!

He was working with the 16 teens who decided to get baptized. He was working with the eight Hispanic churches who all joined to lead worship.

He was working with the children who made 300 snack-packs for a local school’s summer meal program. And he was working with the dozens of young adults who fanned out across Gladstone to pull weeds, and paint-over graffiti.  

He was also working with Richie Halversen, Randy Maxwell, Kevin Wilfley, and many, many others as they all led worship, gave seminars, and preached sermons.

For those working during this year’s camp meetings, this year’s theme, living in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, meant learning to trust Him with all the unknowns and things that might go wrong.

As Pastor Seth Cantu pointed out, “God doesn’t just show up in the good times.”

That’s why He showed up for this year’s camp meetings.

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Check out photos from the week...