Jesus and Service at Regional Camp Meetings

By Richie Brower

UCC Director of Community Engagement

At each convocation, attendees were called to know Jesus above all else. Trust Him. Love Him. Walk with Him. Let Him transform your life so you will love and serve others as He did. This year, that message was shared in more than words. Across Upper Columbia Conference, camp meeting is becoming a place where inspiring teaching is paired with meaningful action serving others.

At the Walla Walla Convocation, attendees could choose from a variety of service opportunities. Volunteers helped with campus landscaping at one of the local Adventist schools on Friday, delivered encouragement to healthcare workers at the St. Mary Medical Center on Sabbath, and offered a free car maintenance clinic, hosted a community fair, and packed emergency preparedness kits at the College Place ABC on Sunday.

"I'm so blessed you guys fixed my van,” said one recipient of the car maintenance clinic. “I've been walking and riding buses since November. It feels good to drive again. God bless!"

In Wenatchee, volunteers spent Sunday serving at The Edge Garden (a community garden), giving away free plants, packing meal bags for college athletes, and filling backpacks with supplies for families who may be affected by wildfires. 

Spokane embraced Father's Day by setting up a booth at Northtown Mall where families could assemble free gift bags for dads. Pastor Tyler "TK" Kern, who led the project, captured the experience in a wonderful video (see news.uccsda.org/fathersday626). The weekend ended with another unforgettable act of kindness as volunteers gave a local teenage girl an incredible car makeover, surprising her with a safe, beautifully upgraded vehicle. 

“This has been an absolutely amazing, unforgettable Father’s Day weekend,” Kern reflected.

For generations, the words camp meeting have brought to mind fellowship, worship, and inspiring preaching. In Upper Columbia, another picture is being added — one that reaches back to its roots. Camp meeting is becoming a time not only to receive a blessing, but to share one. 

Ellen White envisioned this idea, writing, “There is something for everyone to do. Every soul that believes the truth is to stand in his lot and place, saying: ‘Here am I; send me.’ (Isaiah 6:8.) By engaging in work at the camp meeting, all may be learning how to work successfully in their home churches.” (6T 49.1)

As teaching moves beyond the pulpit and into hands-on service, camp meeting is helping churches and schools discover fresh, practical ways to love their neighbors — and inviting every attendee to be part of the mission to Serve One More.

Watch regional camp meeting service projects  at news.uccsda.org/servecafe826.