Eight days and Eighty-Eight Salvations
By Jennifer Lloyd
The Mother Lode, Central Valley, and Delta Valley Associations hold their district summer camps at Jenness
Park Christian Camp each June. This year, during eight days, 47 first and second graders attended an overnight
camp, 497 youngsters attended two children's camps, and 222 teens attended the youth camp. In the children's
camps there were 79 children who accepted Christ as Lord. In the youth camp 9 campers gave their lives
to Jesus.
The first and second graders were taught different ways to "Power Up for Jesus." Some of the
strategies included attending church, praying, reading their Bibles, and memorizing verses.
The theme of the children's camps was "Under Construction for Jesus." The teams had names related
to the construction theme such as "Brick Layers" and "Roofers." During meeting times,
children were challenged with Ephesians 2:20. Patterson First Baptist Church pastor Steve Stoppe encouraged
the campers, "Regardless of your current home situations or struggles, you are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus, to do good works which God has prepared in advance for you to accomplish."
The title of the youth camp was "Kingdom in Reverse." The theme revolved around castles, knights,
and Medieval-style games. According to Skip Ferris, director of the youth camp, "The campers were
challenged to realize that when Jesus left his heavenly kingdom to come to earth, he did everything ‘the
reverse' of what people expected. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 that He did not come to be served, but He
came to serve. We want the young people to realize that theirs should be a life of serving others rather
that selfish living."
Mark Bromley, youth pastor at Hilmar First Baptist church brought 50 children, 7 youth, and 9 adults
to Jenness Park for the district camps. He stated, "Camp introduces kids who have never been in church
to Jesus Christ. They have fun in the process. This year, we brought 37 children with us who don't normally
attend our church." From Bromley's group, 15 children accepted Christ as Savior.
Lisa Cox, also from Hilmar First Baptist, said, "The adults we bring are an important part of the
camp experience. We call our adults ‘short-term missionaries' because these adults share Christ
with the children. We avoid calling them counselors because some people perceive a ‘counselor' as
a glorified babysitter. The adults are missionaries to these children."
Craft leader and Lodi Ave. Baptist Church pastor's wife, Pam Abdollahzadeh, spoke about the way camp
at Jenness Park supports her church's ministry. "This is a setting designed for kids. God has blessed
us with more children than we anticipated this year. It is exciting to watch them worship the Lord and
learn Bible verses. We expect that this excitement will extend back into the church so that children will
invite their friends."
Tim Weimer, district camp Vice President, commented, "Bringing kids to Jenness Park enhances our
church ministry because camp has a major impact on kids. It is a great tool to help children come to know
the Lord, and it helps Christian kids grow in their faith.
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