IT WOULD HAVE BEEN easy for the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey to decline an opportunity to host a camp for Angel Tree children. After all, the convention has no camping facilities, staff or budget.
But as a testament to God’s faithfulness, 36 children between the ages of 8 and 12 attended summer camp – and 10 made professions of faith.
The idea for a pilot camp began in 2004 when Prison Fellowship, whose Angel Tree program reaches out to the millions of children with an incarcerated parent or parents, contacted Woman’s Missionary Union and the North American Mission Board about partnering to provide a pilot camping experience for some children.
Lena Plunk, a NAMB-appointed US/C2 missionary in Pennsylvania, and others in that state’s Baptist office, even though they lacked camping resources, nevertheless took up the challenge – first in prayer, then in the work needed to make the camp a reality.
“God blessed in ways that we never even thought of,” said Plunk, who served as the camp’s director. “The way everything came together, it was obvious that he was in control.”
The convention staff first sought a suitable site with dates available, settling on Camp Conquest in Denver, Pa.
Next came the issue of funding. “God really blessed it,” Plunk said. Prison Fellowship, whose Angel Tree ministry also offers Christmastime and ongoing mentoring programs, provided up to half the cost for each camper. The Pilgrim Foundation outside Philadelphia provided a $5,000 grant; WMU Foundation, a $2,000 grant. Various churches also provided financial support, and North Carolina WMU donated 100 backpacks.
Another sign of divine provision: a qualified camp staff to work with the kids. Seven young men from South Carolina’s Camp McCall, along with several volunteer leaders from Pennsylvania, ministered to the 14 boys who attended camp from July 31-Aug. 3. The girls’ camp followed Aug. 3-6 with 22 campers and volunteer staff from South Carolina’s Camp LaVida, along with volunteer leaders from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Maine.
“God sent an excellent group of counselors,” said Ted Johnson of the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey, who served as camp pastor. “The young men from South Carolina, for example, were skilled at firmly leading and patiently loving the boys.
“Children need love and need to see that others really care about them,” Johnson said, “and we were able to minister to them in that way.”
Most of the kids were cautious when they arrived because they didn’t know what to expect. “Their attitude and expressions seemed to say, ‘Is this for real?'” he recounted, “but once they saw that the counselors and staff were there to love them, teach them and present Christ to them during a fun camping experience, they opened up and enjoyed themselves.”
The children enjoyed Bible study, worship, team-building activities, crafts, swimming, paddleboats, and fishing.
“The camp had a huge impact on the kids and has really opened doors to minister not only to the child but also to the child’s whole family,” Plunk said. “I hope other conventions will see that they can do this, too.”