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| Monday, June 23, 2008 |
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“Why Do You Attend Camp Meeting?”
Church of God Ministries, Church of God - General
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By Bill Ellis
 Why do people come every year from all over the United States and many foreign countries to this great meeting? My first trip was to learn more about the Church of God and get a glimpse of the college I was to attend that fall. Recently, I have been asking a lot of people why they first came and why they continue to come.
Our daughter Liz simply said, “We had to go because you and Mom never missed it. I liked it because I got to see a lot of friends, hear great music, and meet people I would spend four years with at Anderson University.”
Risë Singer, of Florida, responded, “I began attending when I was a child because Mom and Dad took me. I enjoyed the singing, especially the old hymns. I loved the choir and all the Tri-S groups. My favorite part of camp meeting now is the Heritage Hymn Sing.”
One of the oldest attendees this year is Mark Denton, who lives with his wife Barbara in Shelton, Washington. Mark, a veteran pastor and vocalist, says, “I attend the camp meetings because while at Anderson College, I developed a love and appreciation for the school, the camp meeting, and activities of the church. I’ve enjoyed the great music of the church and the outstanding preachers over the years, such as R. C. Caudill, Dale Oldham, Gerald Marvel, and Jim Lyon. We love to meet the missionaries and hear their stories and participate in the hymn sing.”
Che-Che Mobley, Tampa, Florida, says, “I attend the Anderson Camp Meeting/North American Convention for the same reason I attend family reunions: I love the family.” Che-Che also “likes the fellowship of the faithful, the spiritual encouragement, and singing in the choir.”
Brooke Holterman, a young mother from Virginia, began attending when she was very young child. She put it this way: “Kid’s Place! My older brother Chad and I counted down the last weeks of school and the first few weeks of summer till we were at Kid’s Place. I always looked forward to seeing my friends at the next camp meeting.”
Paul and Rita Jo Yerden, two of the finest musicians in the Church of God reformation movement, put it this way: “We attend to stay connected to the Church of God and our many friends within the church. There are moments of inspiration, challenge, and worship. We enjoy the fellowship, some of the services, and the Heritage Hymn Sing-a-Long.”
Jim Chapman, veteran Church of God minister, pastor, missionary, educator, and business leader, sums up why many attend: “It is the absolute best place to check the pulse of the Church of God movement. I like the General Assembly meetings and visiting with friends. Just being a part of the fellowship of the people of God.”
Memories of such meetings go back across many years. You will enjoy asking others why they attend and discussing some of the highlights of the convention with them. It is a good way to form new friendships and then renew them year after year. Begin now planning to return in 2009.
A version of this article appears in the Tuesday, June 24, 2008, edition of the NAC roundup/08 newsletter. To view the newsletter in its entirety, click here (2.34 MB). The document is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat in order to read and/or print it. If you do not have Acrobat installed on your computer, you can download a free copy of Acrobat Reader here.
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