Have you ever attended a camp meeting? Camp meeting is a time, usually in the warmer months, when Adventists come together for about a week and live in tents, cabins, or trailers, and attend special worship events. It’s like a big family reunion! In fact, while there are many things to like about camp meeting, most people who attend say it’s all about the people. Recognizing that they are a part of a bigger Adventist family makes people feel happy and special.
Lee was a brand-new Adventist, having been baptized only recently. He was excited to go to his first Adventist camp meeting. When Lee looked at the schedule, he was amazed at all there was to do. He wanted to do it all! The first meeting was at sunrise, but that didn’t stop Lee. The first morning, he woke up in the dark, got dressed, and made sure he was in his seat to listen to the speaker.
He was disappointed to see that the speaker was an older man, a little stooped, who shuffled when he walked to the pulpit. Lee prayed he would be blessed. The next moments were amazing. The preacher was Robert Pierson, a former General Conference president. While he spoke quietly, his words were powerful and seemed to go right into Lee’s heart. Afterward he wanted to see Pastor Pierson to talk to him, but he was surrounded by people and then disappeared.
The next morning Lee was up bright and early, this time excited to listen to Pastor Pierson. Again, it was as if the Holy Spirit was speaking right through the pastor into his heart. Again he wanted to see him, and again Pastor Pierson disappeared.
Each day was the same experience, until it was the last day of camp meeting. Lee was going to make sure he caught up to Pastor Pierson! As soon as the last “Amen” was said, Lee jumped out of his seat and rushed to the platform. This time Pastor Pierson was alone. Lee introduced himself. The pastor was kind and asked where he was from, surprising Lee that he was interested in him. Lee told him he was working as an assistant pastor in a nearby church. The pastor asked if he’d gone to seminary—a place where pastors learn to be better pastors. That’s when Lee told him he had been a pastor in another denomination but had recently been baptized.
Pastor Pierson looked at him and said, “Let’s have breakfast together!” They spent the next hour and a half talking. Pastor Pierson gave Lee wonderful advice on how to be the best pastor. Lee never forgot that first camp meeting, and Pastor Pierson’s willingness to help lead him even closer to Jesus.
The Missing Girl Miracle
Katie was 5 years old and lived in Botswana. Her grandmother brought Katie to camp meeting with her. There were such fun things to do there! All the children played together, attended meetings, and learned more about Jesus. The children were warned to stay close to the camp meeting. There was a lake nearby, and everyone wanted the children to be safe.
While there are many things to like about camp meeting, most people who attend say it’s all about the people.
One day the children were playing and not paying attention. Soon they were nearer to the lake than to the camp meeting. Katie remembered her grandmother’s warning and decided to return to the camp meeting grounds, but when she did, she got confused and went the wrong direction.
Soon it grew dark, and Grandmother hadn’t seen Katie. She started to worry, but then thought Katie was probably playing with other children. When it was time for the evening meeting, everyone was back at the camp, but not Katie. Where could she be? They made an announcement in the big tent at the evening meeting that Katie was missing. Everyone knelt and prayed for Katie’s safety. Then they went looking for her.
They went to the lake and walked around it. They found shoeprints in the sand, but they didn’t find Katie. They followed the shoeprints until they disappeared into tall grass. By this time it was 10:00 at night. But the people would not give up. They kept looking for clues as to where Katie was, and they kept praying.
It was so dark that they used headlights from a truck to see. They found more shoeprints that went through the tall grass, across a small stream, and into a thick forest. Where could Katie have gone? They saw that Katie had taken off her shoes and now left footprints. Some of the footprints were walking, but others showed that Katie had been running. The men kept following the tracks and kept looking.
And then it happened! About 1:00 a.m. they found Katie, sleeping on the path with her shoes right beside her. The searchers picked her up and wrapped her in a warm jacket. They immediately prayed a thank-You prayer and returned to the camp meeting singing, “Hallelujah; praise the Lord!” All the campers heard the singing and came to the big tent. They had a praise service right there. Everyone was thankful that God had protected Katie from harm.
Camp meeting has much to offer in the way of preaching, prayer, and play. But maybe equally important is the fellowship of believers—those who love Jesus—who come together as a family. Pastor Pierson helped Lee understand how to be a better pastor with his kind spiritual messages. The campers in Botswana showed how much they cared for Katie and her grandmother by praying for them. In the process they experienced a miracle to celebrate the goodness of God.
If there is a camp meeting scheduled to be nearby, try to attend. Even one or two days can make all the difference!
