It was a sad day for me (Sept. 24, 2008) when I got the official word that our state convention had decided the fate of Joy Retreat.
For the benefit of you who are unaware of Joy Retreat, it was a camp for special-needs adults held at White Oak Conference Center for one week in the summer. It was sponsored by the missions mobilization group of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. The camp came into existence in 1980 and my first year to volunteer was in 2003, which was my first exposure to special-needs adults.
In 2008, this ministry not only touched the hearts of 340 campers, but also exposed 168 chaperones to the love of God. Youth groups and other volunteers have been given a unique opportunity to serve our Lord in ways that could not have been attempted without the resources provided by the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
Joy Retreat was the only Baptist camp in South Carolina for special-needs adults, and I don’t understand why this decision was made by our convention.
Many campers and volunteers returned each year. I grew close to many like Miss June, an elderly lady confined to a wheelchair. Miss June is non-verbal, but would smile a mile when the class sang a chorus of Jesus Loves Me. I also met two sisters (names withheld for their safety) that had been physically abused and craved to have someone to show them attention and love.
I believe I speak for many when I suggest that the convention leaders reconsider their decision to cancel this great missions opportunity. Volunteers who enjoyed the annual trip to Winnsboro would certainly miss a blessing, but my real concern is for the campers – some of whom rarely, if ever, are able to attend church or receive Christian teaching with the exception of Joy Retreat.
As Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.”
Many of the folks who have attended Joy Retreat over the years could easily be overlooked by society. We have the opportunity to continue to show the love of God to them. Let’s keep Joy Retreat alive!
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