It is time again to feature the summer camps and camp meetings that we enjoy so much. I am not an authority on summer camps, because I have never worked at one nor have I been a camper. When I was a kid growing up, our state's conference did not enroll Black children in summer camp. Regional conferences had not yet come into existence, and when they did budgets could not support youth camps.

After regional conferences were formed, many rented the facilities of close-by state camps for camp meetings, and there was generally not enough money left to again rent those facilities for a youth camp. Now all regional conferences own their campgrounds, and the constituent children are blessed with wonderful summer youth camp programs. Praise God for progress.

So, I haven't had experience with summer camps, but oh, how I love camp meeting! My dad took his vacation each summer in order to take the family to camp meeting. Even though we attended a very racially segregated camp, there was true joy in the fellowship and spiritual uplift provided at camp meeting time.

I have always been impressed with the evangelistic mode of most Adventist encampments. Baptisms were always a high point, and they reminded campers that our main reason for existence as a church was to disciple and nurture candidates for the Kingdom of Heaven. Pastors were encouraged to bring candidates for baptism from their respective churches and districts for inclusion in the baptismal service at camp meeting. Everyone looked forward to this service, traditionally held on the last Sabbath of camp meeting.

You can’t imagine my total surprise and the special honor I felt when I was first selected to conduct the baptism of many of these precious individuals. I had just been ordained as a minister the previous year, and now this wonderful privilege came to me. As I have always done when about to baptize, I bowed my head in silent prayer to ask the Lord to first baptize me anew. Then, the hymns wafted out across the camp as the believers began to sing. There was, “Shall We Gather at the River,” “Take Me to the Water,” and “It Cleanses Me.”

As each candidate was announced, the appropriate pastor stepped forward, beaming with joy at what the Lord had done to convict and convert someone they had labored for. It was a special time.

Yes, other wonderful things took place at camp meeting. Attendance at early morning meetings seemed to be the measure of your spiritual commitment. Union, Division, and General Conference speakers joined with local pastors throughout the week to bring rich, spiritual food in the sermons presented. Informative workshops, with something for almost everybody, were features to look forward to. But for me, the baptisms were always the high point.

Do you attend summer camp, family camp, or camp meeting? I want to encourage you to do so because they are much the same as they were in the good old days. Let’s begin praying now for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our encampments this summer. And take your family. Who knows? This may be the year.