Monday Again
(Full gallery of Family Camp 2018 can be seen on the Beulah Camp website)
Yet another fantastic Beulah Family Camp (BFC) concluded yesterday afternoon and entered the annals of our district heritage. Record registrations this year for Jr. VBS, VBS, and the Youth Track, are celebrated evidence that the spiritual benefit of camp ministry for families continues on an upward trajectory of Kingdom impact. The following email I received captures the heart of those attending BFC 2018:
“When you have kids (who are ages 5-8) tearing up at the end of a week of camp having to go home saying – But I don’t want to leave yet, then we can fairly safely assume we must be doing something right. Thanks for all your hard work and the visionary thinking of Executive Director Andrea Gunter that is growing Family Camp into a major attraction as well as an ongoing place for spiritual transformation. This year’s speakers have both been phenomenal instruments in the hand of our great God.”
While the highlights are too many to meaningfully mention in a single edition of IMA, the remainder of this summer will include occasional retro-reference to some of the noteworthy happenings of BFC 2018.
Here are a couple of items from Camp Ministry highlights this week:
- The Thursday morning service featured the important impact of those who serve in the line of duty and those who serve those who do in various forms of Chaplaincy. A 10-person panel interview was conducted by Assistant DS AJ Plaizier and the message was delivered by Padre Ray Smith of the Canadian Special Forces. Any ministers interesting in learning more about military chaplaincy are encouraged to contact Captain Smith directly by emailing Raymond.Smith@forces.gc.ca
- The leadership highlight of this past week included the full rollout and presentation of six new DBA approved district core values – Exploration Essentials. The initial response was very encouraging as many conversations during BFC centered around this topic. A full overview of these six values is now available online.
Special thanks to Camp Evangelists, Kyle Ray & Mike Hilson, and Worship Leader Kelly Jay. Totally different preaching styles and equally powerful application of God’s Word provided an engaging balance for the eight consecutive days of 16 services. The returning speakers for Beulah Family Camp 2019 were announced in yesterday morning’s Tabernacle service. The week will begin with Lenny Luchetti and will conclude with Moe Diggs. More on these speakers in a post later this summer.
- Journey (Matt Maxwell) announced yesterday that Brittany Hayes will be joining the pastoral team as Family Life Pastor. The day was topped off with an outdoor baptism in the afternoon on the southwest Miramichi River where five declared their public testimony of Christ’s transformation.
- Havelock, NS (Shawn Craven) celebrated yesterday a first-time commitment to the Lord and two rededications.
- Easton (Tony Stevens) participated earlier in July in the annual community celebration known as Easton Field Days. This year Easton Wesleyan had a booth at the main day on Saturday, with a hotdog/hamburger grill as well as a tent where Bibles were distributed and prayer offered for anyone who was interested. They also joined together with the other four churches in Easton for a worship service on Sunday, July 8, in the High School gym with 175 in attendance.
Thot: If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all. David Livingstone
Save the date: October 4th @ 10:30 a.m. (Atlantic Time) for a Derek Ross Zoominar. More details in IMA next week!
For those who enjoy the summer ministries of Riverside Wesleyan Camp 2018 registrations are open and filling up quickly. Elementary School Camp is July 9-13, High School Camp is July 15-21, and Middle School Camp is July 22-28. Make note of the new Family Camp schedule, which is now Sunday through Wednesday starting July 29th (Mel Norton is Camp Evangelist). Visit www.riversidewesleyancampground.com for more information and to register online.
January 9-12, 2019
Orlando, Florida at The Caribe Royale
More than a minister’s conference. The Gathering is a reunion of ministry family and friends. A sabbath for our souls. Coming together to stop, rest, pray, play and thrive. A chance to celebrate what God is doing in our lives and ministry through meals, stories, inspiration and worship. We know this will be a gathering you won’t want to miss!
Wesleyan clergy & spouses are invited to register this summer. Registration opens June 1, 2018.
What an opportunity we have to partner with Craig Groeschel, John Maxwell, Erwin McManus, Danielle Strickland along with a truly impressive and diverse faculty of 15 speakers on what’s shaping up to be another amazing GLS. We believe that, as in the past, God is going to powerfully anoint and inspire through this event once again this year. So, if you’re looking for some fresh inspiration and highly actionable learning for you and your team this summer, I’d love to have you join us!
- Moncton (Hillside Baptist) on Aug. 9-10th
- Lower Sackville (Rock Church) on October 18-19
Kingswood Extended launched on May 1, 2018 as the newest initiative for ministry education from Kingswood University. Aimed at providing quality online ministry education at the certificate, undergraduate, and graduate levels, with the flexibility to accommodate the unique demands of work, life, and ministry, the program is proving to resonate with churches and districts across the Wesleyan denomination. In the first six weeks, over fifty students have enrolled in the certificate-level Flame and Correspondence Courses, which are ideal for those looking to further their ministry training or are pursuing ordination through The Wesleyan Church.