Upper Columbia Conference Hosts Successful Young Adult Camp Meeting

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Many churches across the Upper Columbia Conference are noticing that their congregations have a hole in attendance in the 20-40 age group. This hole is also seen in many conference events, but especially during camp meeting. To eliminate this vacancy the conference tasked five pastors, Jason Worf, Stephen Farr, Jake Wilkinson, Howard Tello, and Jefferson Ortiz, to coordinate a young adult camp meeting alongside the 2023 Serve One More camp meeting reaching that 20-40 year-old age group.

Hosted at Heyburn State Park just 50 minutes east of the Upper Columbia Academy campus, young adults gathered for a time of spiritual renewal, lakeside camping activities, and friendship building. “We were located in a cozy spot in the park close to the water,” shared Worf, pastor of the Pasco Riverview Adventist Church. “The goal of young adult camp meeting was to create a space for young adults to come together to fellowship, eat good food, and spend time in the word.”

The event began Friday, June 16, with 42 young adults from Upper Columbia Conference. Since the event was new, many did not know what to expect. The pastors decided to have an informal style event that focused on conversation and connection.

“The program was created for everyone to be apart,” explained Farr, district pastor for Pendleton and Pilot Rock Adventist Churches. “Our goal with doing young adult camp meeting this way was to ensure that everyone was involved with the process of sharing the gospel and learning from the word of God.”

As the weekend continued, many of the pastors realized that the young adults in Upper Columbia Conference are very interested in their spiritual life, but don’t like being preached at, rather they prefer having open conversations about the gospel.

“Giving them space to be young adults and ask questions, express opinions, and grapple with their spiritual life, was extremely helpful,” said Worf. “We provided them a safe space to have time to talk in an environment with like-minded individuals their age.”

Since the young adult camp meeting was held in a campground, there was some concern about being a disturbance. However, the group found that they were the opposite. During each Bible study the group began with music. They quickly found that the other campers enjoyed the music, and many began to join in the singing and making requests. Many of the young adults were moved by this and their ability to witness to other campers.

“The way this event was structured for young adults was amazing,” said Josh Boram, Walla Walla Eastgate Adventist Church young adults leader. “I felt that this type of camp meeting was more authentic and created an active environment less about listening and more about getting involved. I was able to lead out and it made me excited about what was being discussed and how personable and meaningful the conversations were.”

Along with the morning and evening Bible studies attendees had the opportunity to participate in mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and swimming. “There were a lot of activities that everyone was included in,” shared Ashley Olson, attendee. “I appreciated the relaxing environment where we could be out in nature, camping, and enjoying time with people my own age talking about spiritual topics.”

With any event structured around young adults, the food was a highlight. A chuckwagon was brought and food was prepared by Rachel Boram. The menu included food from all over the world and everyone worked together to help prepare and clean up, as well as enjoy the food.

“Those that attended felt like they contributed,” explained Farr. “Our young adults want to be a part of a movement and not just sitting in pews. The 20-40 year-old age group is not reaching the same life goal the older generations were until much later in life. Because of this, many young people feel like they are the third wheel to the environment of a traditional camp meeting.”

With a new take on camp meeting for a younger generation there was uncertainty how it would be received. A survey was sent out to the participants after the event.

“The feedback was so encouraging! There were comments about how refreshing this event was, how they really felt God, how there is a desire for more events like this year-round,” shared Farr. “The young adult camp meeting showed me that if we dwell among the young adults and show we care and want them to be a part of our church that they will get excited about serving, and being involved and on fire for the church.”

If you know a young adult from 20-40 in UCC or wish to be included in the next young adult event email Jeff Wines, UCC youth & young adult director, at jeffw@uccsda.org to be added to the group text.