I’d like to share some thoughts I had at a recent Camp Dixie board meeting. I’m so thankful to serve such an amazing place that has meant so much in my past, and still contributes to my spiritual growth and walk with our Lord Jesus.

At that meeting, a bulletin flier about “The Power of Camp” was distributed featuring testimonies from our board chairman, Jeff Allen, and our Conference President, Tom McMahon.

As I reflected on my long history with Camp Dixie, I knew that I need to share, too. The original location of Camp Dixie, of course, was here in Wilmington on the very property that Living Water Ministries sits on. Concrete block buildings were the boys’ and girls’ dorms, along with a cafeteria and the green fiberglass-sided tabernacle where we worshiped. The camp was a destination for many in our conference that never got to come to the coast, except during camp. When the property sold, my dad was part of a group that located the camp’s present location at Pages Lake just this side of Fayetteville, NC.

As a camper, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior there, was baptized in the lake, and have felt His loving presence and the joy of fellowship there. The Greek word koinonia used in the New Testament is translated community, cooperative participation, sharing, and intimacy. I’ve experienced beautiful koinonia at Camp Dixie over the last 48 years—and even today. Every time I drive up to the gates, I feel an excitement and expectation of that happiness again. This, for me, is the power of camp!

There have been many positive changes over the years in our beautiful facilities at Camp Dixie. Best of all, it’s a special place of relationship. I have grown in my faith and love there with family, our church family and friends, fellow Advent Christians and other followers of Jesus Christ.

On May 17, each of the AC churches in our eastern North Carolina conference was asked to celebrate “The Power of Camp” in their worship service. We asked each congregation to pray for our staff, and that in the upcoming summer programs we sponsor, Jesus Christ will touch the lives of today’s generation of campers.

There’s such a need in the world today to know our awesome God, who is at work daily changing lives and building His kingdom! Please do everything in your power for your kids and others you know to attend camp this year!