I was four months old when my parents packed me up and took me to stay in a tent in Grand Ledge, Michigan, for a week and a half. My earliest memories include stories from Josephine Cunnington Edwards, music from the King’s Heralds, crafts at the craft tent, the children’s choir singing in the main auditorium, and grape Popsicles. I would be willing to say that one of the reasons that I stayed in the church as a young person was because of friends and memories made at camp meeting.

I hope that you are planning to create some memories for yourself and your family by attending an Illinois camp meeting this summer. Come for the fellowship and the inspiration. Leave to serve and fulfill the mission to “Share God’s grace with our world through preaching, teaching, and healing.”

Camp Meeting Changes Lives

Camp meeting last year marked a turning point for Ivan Smith. On Sabbath afternoon at Camp Akita, he was rebaptized. Soon after, he started studying the Bible with his 11-year-old daughter, and she was baptized this past January.

He continues to share his renewed faith with numerous Bible study students in Danville, Illinois. He is starting a Discover Seminar. He ministers through a character-based youth program for minority kids. Ivan began to share the prophecies of Revelation with a pastor of a different denomination. The pastor became so excited by the truths he was hearing that he gave Ivan an open invitation to speak in his 400-member church.

Camp meeting provides the opportunity for a new direction in your life. Just ask Ivan.

2004 Camp Meetings

For the first time in many years, there will be a full-week camp meeting in the Illinois Conference. Set aside June 20–26 and plan on coming to the Camp Akita Retreat Center to enjoy some relaxation and spiritual renewal.

Camp meeting is known for providing strong preaching, and Rudy Torres, from Newport Beach, California, will be among the speakers you'll want to hear. In addition, there will be various seminars to help you dig deeper into the Bible and find ways to make practical applications of spiritual truths.

The Akita camp meeting also offers the opportunity to enjoy recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, tubing, repelling/climbing, and hiking as well as crafts and nature events.

Lodging options include cabins, tents, RV's, or area hotels. We look forward to seeing you there!

Northern Camp Meeting: June 11–12

Broadview Academy will be the host site for the northern Illinois camp meeting, June 11–12, where we'll enjoy the preaching of Derek Morris, former professor of religion at Southern Adventist University and now senior pastor of the Calimesa Church in Yucaipa, California.

A special feature of the weekend will be a choral festival featuring the choirs of our Chicagoland churches.

Ken Denslow is the Illinois Conference president, and Rick Remmers is the executive secretary.