by Priscila Pancorbo
Summer is often associated with attending camp meetings, and most people look forward to these events. They are a great opportunity to worship, connect with others, grow spiritually, and create wonderful memories with family and friends. Here is a highlight of the Regional Camp Meetings for Summer 2024.
The South Central Conference held one of the first Camp Meetings of the season. Pastor William Taliaferro, Pastor Leeroy Coleman, and Dr. Mable C. Dunbar were some of the guest speakers for the adults, while Pastor Kyle Crawford and Pastor Karsten Rogers were in charge of uplifting the youth. As part of the camp meeting program, attendees also had the opportunity to attend the Ordination ceremony, a Health Fair, and engaging events with resources for abused women and children, as well as those targeting depression and suicide. The Oakwood University campus also hosted the Korean and Haitian Camp Meetings simultaneously.
“Committed. Reignited by His Spirit” was this year’s Camp Meeting theme at the Central States Conference. The worship experience featured Dr. Paula Olivier as the Sabbath speaker and Pr. Isaac Ibarra leading the Hispanic service. Other distinguished speakers included Roger Bernard, president of the Central States Conference, Kimberly Bulgin, Byron Wright, Evenson Louis-Jeune, Gerardo Oudri-Varela, and Eric Bell Jr. The ordination ceremony on Sabbath night was the perfect addition to wrap up the Central States Camp Meeting 2024.
Camp Meeting 2024, themed “Unleashing the Power,” was an awesome experience for the South Atlantic Conference. Keynote speakers included G. Alexander Bryant and Dr. Carlton P. Byrd. The adult program offered a variety of options, from exercise and self-defense to prophecy study, evangelism, and church growth. The youth and children enjoyed a great program with speakers Nicardo Delahaye and Vandeon Griffin, and workshops on robotics, photography, arts, and baking, among others. Music guest Lamar Campbell added to the memorable experience of this year’s camp meeting, which concluded… Refreshing!
This year’s camp meeting was a special one for the Southwest Conference. They were celebrating 45 years at Lone Star Camp and also held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their newly constructed chapel. Among the guest speakers were Dr. Darry Black, Dr. Paula Olivier, and DeVon Franklin. The opening service was led by Pastor Dana C. Edmond, executive director for the Office for Regional Conference Ministries, who delivered an impactful message. Dr. William T. Cox, executive director for the Regional Conference Retirement Plan, shared the benefits of the Regional Retirement with the conference workers. And there’s no camp meeting without music; on Sabbath, there was a powerful concert led by Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers, Myron Butler, Gale Jones Murphy, and the SWRC Mass Choir. The fireworks display celebrating the 45 years at Lone Star closed the camp meeting.
The Allegheny West Conference had powerful messages, uplifting worship, and community connection in this camp meeting edition. They featured Dr. Emil Peeler as the keynote speaker. Dr. Philip Baptiste, Dr. Furman Pace Fordham III, and Pastor Vivian Martin were also there to inspire and encourage attendees to reflect on their spiritual journey. Those passionate about music surely enjoyed the concert performed by Smokie Norful and the music of Harmony, Jordi G, and the Allegheny West Conference Mass Choir. The youth program and children’s activities completed the schedule, and the ice cream social was a sweet way to close the Sabbath.
Southeastern Conference members had the opportunity this year to listen to powerful messages delivered by Dr. Abraham Jules, Dr. Ella Simmons, Pastor Chelston Lee, Pastor Brenda Billingy, and Pastor Steven Gates, among others. Highlights also included a health plenary featuring Dr. Carmina Charles, Dr. Brenda Owusu, Dr. Erica Francois, and an inspiring concert by Paul Heflin. To conclude a successful Camp Meeting, they announced their Conference theme for next year: “Overflow 2025.”
Once again, the Lake Region Conference celebrated a camp meeting full of inspiring worship programs, concerts, and fellowship. Uplifting messages from Henry Wright, Myron Edmonds, Michelle Hill, Vandeon Griffin, Will Johnson, T. Ron Weegar, and Jonathan McReynolds, along with a concert performed by Grammy award-winning gospel artist Kierra Sheard-Kelly, made the camp meeting an unforgettable experience. The Lake Region Pathfinder parade built up the excitement for the upcoming International Pathfinder Camporee next month in Gillette, WY.
Photos by Stanton Witherspoon, Lake Union Herald photographer and videographer.
Guided by the theme “Now it’s the time to be like Jesus” Allegheny East Conference put together a special camp meeting with Alex Bryant and Jamond Jimmerson as Sabbath Speakers. Their schedule had a variety of activities and workshops for everybody; from power hour and prayer sessions to a 50+ banquet and a friends and family fun day. This is also the first camp meeting for Dr. Trevor Kinlock as president of the Allegheny East Conference.
The Northeastern Conference closed the Regional Camp Meetings for the summer of 2024 with a notable lineup of speakers, including Austin Humphreys, Pastor Michelle Hill, Dr. Carlton Byrd, Dr. Charles Tapp, and John Coaxum. This camp meeting was also the inaugural one for Dr. Eldeen C. King as president of the Northeastern Conference, Dr. Nicardo K. Delahaye as executive secretary, and Dr. Keith Arbury as associate secretary. The convocation featured a special ordination service and a performance by Grammy award-winning gospel artist Karen Clark Sheard.
