As a young lad, I recall how thrilling it was to follow the Roger Maris saga as he chased “The Mighty Babe.” For 34 years, Babe Ruth’s record of 60 home runs in a season stood the test of time. When Maris hit home run number 61 in 1961, what a time of celebration it was for him, his teammates, and many fans who were rooting for him! I was one of those fans.

But more important than baseball, I am very excited about our camp meeting this summer, when the Lake Region Conference (LRC) family will celebrate 61 years of dedicated service to the Lord. Due to heavy financial obligations, we were not able to have camp meeting last year, and thus there was no commemoration of our 60th anniversary. However, the 61st year represents a new beginning and, consequently, we have some big plans for this encampment.

E.E. Cleveland, world-renowned evangelist, will conduct daily seminars on “hot issues” in Seventh-day Adventism as he discusses doctrines of the church. Mack W. Wilson, Gary Mizpah Adventist Church pastor, will facilitate a presentation entitled, “Attitude Management—God’s Way.” Several other LRC pastors, who have been successful in soul winning, will share ideas on how to lead men and women to Christ. As attendees arise each morning, they will be privileged to attend the early morning (6:00 a.m.) "Power Hour" coordinated by Doris Gothard, Lake Region women’s ministries director.

The general topic this year is, “Living Beyond Yourself,” featuring studies from Galatians. Our local pastors will also preach dynamic sermons each morning at the 6:30 a.m. devotional hour. They will follow this up with inspiring messages at the 7:30 p.m. evangelistic hour.

Some of the other special highlights this year will be:

Dora is a licensed nurse practitioner and a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Her topics will include, “Pain and Rejection,” “Sticks, Stones, and Unkind Words,” and “If You Are Teachable, You Are Fixable.”

Penny is president and founder of Choices International, a faith ministry providing support for individuals and families who know the pain and trauma of various abuses. Her topics will include: “What Do You See in God’s Mirror,” “Intelligence or Counter Intelligence,” and “Maturity, Memory, and Ministry.”

LRC teachers will be commissioned for service in the schools where they labor and the churches where they serve.

Steve J. Veres, North American Division Adventist Community Services health program coordinator, will conduct a three-day, four-hour training session to demonstrate to churches how to develop health ministries in their local congregations.

Faith Crumbly, Sabbath School Leadership magazine editor, will be the featured guest.

James North, professor of Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, will discuss the role of Adventist youth and the military.

Fredrick Russell, senior minister of the Miracle Temple Adventist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, will speak the first Sabbath.

Debbie Young, president of the Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries (ASI), will be featured the second Sabbath.

The Illinois Adventist Book Center will sell Spirit-filled books, magazines, literature, and CD's, from Monday through Friday.

The Natural Connection (LRC health food store) will stock vegetarian canned goods and other foods for purchase.

Phyllis Washington, LRC children’s ministries director, will have her team in place once more as they lift up the name of Jesus to our boys and girls. These 400 children range from Beginners to Kindergarteners, Primaries to Juniors, and Earliteens.

Anthony Kelly, youth director, also will have his team in place. This year’s focus will be “Kingdom Building” as they seek the challenge of molding the character of our youth in preparation for the coming King.

If you have not registered for camp meeting, it may not be too late. For further information, contact the LRC Treasury department at (773) 846-2661.

May God bless each and every one of you.

Jerome Davis is the Lake Region Conference president.