Campers on a mission to reach Florida for Christ
By Lauren Urtel
March 27, 2008
MARIANNA (FBC)—In campgrounds across the state, over 400 Florida Baptists participate in evangelistic outreach through Campers on Mission each year sharing their faith as they go.
“Many people ask ‘what is Campers on Mission (COM)?’” said Jim Clay, president of the Florida Campers on Mission. “Some jokingly say it is the best-kept secret of the Southern Baptist Convention because very few of our churches are aware that we exist or what our mission is.”
Sponsored by the Adult Volunteer Mobilization Unit of the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board, membership is open to Christian campers of all denominations.
“Campers on Mission is a national fellowship of Christian campers who want opportunities to share their faith and love of Jesus while camping or participating in missions activities,” said Clay.
Nationwide 31 COM chapters boast more than 3,101 members with Florida as the largest chapter with over 400 members.
During 2007 Florida COM members volunteered over 43,000 hours of ministry service in roles that ministry include construction, maintenance, fairs, festivals, campground ministries, youth camps, disaster relief and recovery and seamen’s ministries. As a result of these ministries 459 professions of faith were recorded in 2007.
One of their larger ministry projects is near completion. The Florida campers have been laboring to construct a new church facility for the First Baptist Church of Lloyd.
The Florida COM began working with the church in late 2001, following a request by the church building committee. Before construction could begin on the church, an existing building had to be renovated for offices and a septic tank had to be built. The campers worked six days a week to complete projects in their area of expertise. After many setbacks, construction began on the new sanctuary slab columns and roof system in 2007 to make way for construction crews in November 2007. The 10000 square feet of new construction and 4300 square feet of renovation are scheduled for completion in April.
The Florida campers hold two rallies a year, in the spring and fall, which is set for April 16-18 at the Blue Springs Baptist Conference Center in Marianna.
In addition to fellowship and worship, the rally features training seminars including one by Fritz Wilson, director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Department, who will teach a special seminar on the process of getting volunteers to do construction projects.
Annually in June, a national rally is hosted by one of the state chapters. During these rallies campers have an opportunity to fellowship; worship the Lord; participate in seminars designed to enhance their witnessing, construction and camping skills; and to address other topics of interest to campers.
“During the national rally we also report on how the Lord has used COM to accomplish His purpose and learn about new and ongoing ministry opportunities,” said Clay. The next national rally will be June 18-20 in Fort Smith, Ark.
Florida COM is broken down into nine regions so that campers can stay connected on a local level. Each of the nine regions holds mini-rallies during the year to plan region projects and to fellowship together. For more information about Florida COM, how to join and what is taking place in your region, go online to www.flcampersonmission.org.
