2007
CAMP MANAGER’S REPORT
Acadian
Baptist Center was a busy place this summer!
Our much anticipated Family Cabin was completed and it is great! Our primary goal for the Cabin is that it be
used as a ministry to pastors and their wives for “alone time” to rest and
rejuvenate. It will be rented out to
others as it is available. We hope to build
more as the Lord allows. The new
Bathhouse by the pool was completed and both have been used often. They are a great asset to this ministry. Thank you to the many volunteers who made
these new buildings possible. There have
been over $213,000.00 in improvements at ABC in the last 20 months.
ABC
sponsored seven camps for youth and children this summer; as well as hosting
seven other church groups. Once again,
we hosted “Camp Inspiration” for children with asthma and “Camp Bon Coeur” for
children with heart defects. We hosted
four band camps, as well. During the
course of the summer, we hosted fourteen retreats and eight church
picnic/swims; four swims for a summer youth program and several other day
activities. Our total attendance at
summer camp was 2523 (does not include weekend numbers) and 6339 thus far this
year. We served thirty-six thousand five
hundred fifty-four meals thus far this year.
A total
of 206 decisions were recorded at our sponsored camps this summer: 128 Professions of Faith; 65 Recommitments; 1
surrendering to full-time Christian service and 12 special prayer needs.
Thank
you to our staff, board members, pastors, volunteers, Campers on Mission and
prayer supporters. We would like to say
a special thank you to Ted and Rita Callahan who have volunteered and served on
our staff for the past seven years. They
are retiring and planning to move to the Dallas area. Another special thank you is extended to
Keith Langley for 10 years of service and Lynette Prather for 15 years.
One of
the highlights of summer camp is the incredible worship services. Many times the altar was full. Several of our camps used the gym as a
worship center, due to the numbers. One
night, a teenage girl with multiple body piercings gave her life to Christ;
another young lady surrendered to the ministry.
The stories could continue as broken lives and hurting hearts were
ministered to.
Guy
Atkinson has begun our outdoor ministry.
He taught several classes this summer – including tying knots, birding,
archery, etc. He has structured a
curriculum which will be made available this fall to Christian, public and home
school groups on birds, plants, ecology, etc.
The classes are especially aimed at 5th through 8th
grade. He is also certified in leading
archery and ropes courses.
Our
Board of Directors is finalizing plans for expansion and renovation of our
Cafeteria. We hope to start construction
in August of 2008. Estimates for a 6000
square foot expansion run close to $600,000.
We will need your prayers and financial support for this special
endeavor that is sorely needed.
Utility,
food and fuel costs have risen considerably this past year. Please prayerfully consider increasing your
support of ABC or making a special gift.
Your help for the general ministry or our new building will be greatly
appreciated. Consider attending and
publicizing our upcoming events.
On a
special note, I would like to thank everyone for letting me serve you here at
Acadian Baptist Center these past twenty years.
Shannon and I count it a privilege to be able to serve in the camping
ministry of ABC. Having met here 24
years ago as summer staffers, ABC is a very special place to us. It has been a joy to raise our children here
and see them grow in the Lord. Aaron was
our Staff Director and Katy served with an evangelist this summer, leading many
youth and children’s camp.
God
Bless,
James
Newsom