As I reflect on last year's camp meeting, I am truly thankful for the blessings of the Lord. Here's why:

1. We were able to commemorate and celebrate our 61st anniversary as a regional conference. Each night a video presentation was shown highlighting some aspect of our history.

2. There were more seminar and workshop presentations than our campers had opportunity to attend. Facilitators came from far and near to train and equip our people for Christian service.

3. There was a heavy emphasis on leading individuals to Jesus. Our own pastors and Bible instructors taught classes daily on the art of bringing men and women to Christ.

4. The Holy Spirit fell upon our members in a marked way for two consecutive Sabbaths as Debbie Young and Freddie Russell preached the Word of God. Several thousand people came to hear their messages.

5. There were no major accidents, injuries, or deaths which had marred our camp meeting in previous years.

6. Our members left camp meeting with feelings of rejuvenation and thanksgiving for God's blessings in their lives.

I've taken the time to highlight last year's camp meeting because this year's encampment, June 22–30, will be just as Spirit-filled, if not more so. Our theme will be, "No Other Name," for we believe that no other name than the name of Jesus has brought this conference such a mighty long way. Through His name, we are witnessing healing and reconciliation. Through His name, the lives of men and women and boys and girls are being changed. Through His name, this conference will attain spiritual heights that it has never reached before.

Each morning will begin with Power Hour (6:00 a.m.), coordinated by Doris Gothard, Lake Region women's ministries director. Immediately following will be the daily morning Devotional Hour (6:30 a.m.), featuring dynamic sermons from the pastors of the conference. They will follow this up with inspiring messages at the 7:30 p.m. Evangelistic Hour.

Christian education will again be one of our main focuses. Lake Region Conference teachers will be commissioned for service in the schools where they labor and the churches where they serve.

Since last year's camp meeting, we have several new departmental directors. One is Pamela Daly, who replaced Phyllis Washington (now with the Children's Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America). Pamela will have her team in place as they lift up the name of Jesus to our boys and girls. These 400 children are our Beginners, Kindergartners, Primaries, Juniors, and Earliteens.

Another new leader is Leon George, a pastor who is Youth and Pathfinder director. He steps in for Anthony Kelly. He, too, will have his team in place as they focus on kingdom building, seeking to challenge our youth to mold characters that will prepare them for the coming King.

The Illinois Adventist Book Center will be with us Monday through Friday. They will have available Bibles, books, magazines, literature, CDs, and other Christian materials. Additionally, the Natural Connection (LRC health food store) will have in stock both frozen and canned vegetarian foods for purchase.

We feel privileged and blessed to have two outstanding speakers for the Sabbath Divine Worship services. Ronald Smith, Message magazine editor, will speak the first Sabbath. Calvin L. Watkins Sr., evangelist and personal ministries director for the South Atlantic Conference, will be featured the second Sabbath. Camp meeting will conclude Saturday evening with the traditional ordination services.

If you have not registered for camp meeting, you may receive the necessary information by contacting the Treasury department of the Lake Region Conference at 773-846-2661.

May God bless each and every one of you.

Jerome L. Davis is the Lake Region Conference president.