Staff Alumni BBQ – Recap!

 In Christian Camps in Ontario

What started with a response to God’s faithfulness 49 years ago in the hearts of the Ontario Youth Executive with the Classis of Ontario, RCA by purchasing the old Simmons farm in North Dumfries, continues today as the site and summer ministry “Camp Shalom!”

This past long weekend Countryside Camp and Conference Centre, the parent corporation, hosted its first Camp Shalom Staff Alumni BBQ event Saturday, August 4th at the camp in North Dumfries, Cambridge, Ontario. The event was attended by nearly 70 people, with representatives from each decade of service: 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, and 10’s.

The program included many of the young families of former seasonal staff members as well with activities provided: the pool and spray pad, golf, archery, sling shot, and canoeing. The trampolines and playground was also popular with the toddlers. A yard game area was set up and utilized throughout the day especially prior to dinner, with the BBQ hosted in the tree shaded picnic area behind the tuck shop.

Over and over the stores of how the camp started; what fun songs and games were popular with each of differing decades of staff serving, and even a recent staff member being called out because he had his “elbows on the table”. His look of surprised at being caught was priceless and as he circled the rest of the seated guests while singing a fun song was priceless.

God’s faithfulness, love and provision for His ministry were three common threads that were noted in nearly every conversation.

Karen Detmar, the chair of the camp’s fundraising committee, did a wonderful job leading us in worship at the campfire following the BBQ and inviting testimony from her Dad, Klaas Detmar and fellow board member, Moria Poot. From a historical vantage point to a current one, again God’s faithfulness was celebrated along with the impact of Jesus Christ on thousands of lives throughout the decades. I had the privilege of sharing a brief devotional and testimonial of God’s faithfulness here over my 19 years as Managing Director.  It was truly a blessing.

Karen finished the worship with such a great choice of songs that I had to include it in this brief account: Never Once by Jason Ingam, Matt Redman and Tim Wanstall

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are, You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Listen to this song and be blessed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=722zPX1npcA

God, you are the author and finisher of our faith. We are here for your good pleasure, to do a work beyond our abilities and will continue to give you the honour and praise you deserve! Our dependence, trust, obedience and love is our response to your faithfulness here at “Camp Shalom.” To you be the Glory! Amen!

Photos and memories, thanks to Karen Detmar, will be posted in a separate blog and on facebook.

 

 

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