UCC Camp Meeting Brings Meaning to Serve One More

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

The first in-person camp meeting in Upper Columbia Conference since 2019 reunited many old friends and families and provided the opportunity to make new friends. Held on the campus of Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Wash., the theme was Serve One More.

“For many of us, it was our first time hosting a full camp meeting,” said Dustin Jones, UCC director of communications and camp meeting director. “Those that attended came away with amazing experiences under our theme of Serve One More."

After three years of virtual or hybrid camp meeting, UCC staff busily prepared for a spiritually uplifting weekend in person. Beginning Wednesday, June 14, UCC welcomed Carlton Byrd, president of the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Dallas, Texas, as main speaker.

Dr. Byrd began camp meeting by sharing the story of Moses from Exodus 3: 9-15, emphasizing, Go and Serve. “I’ve learned over the years that God isn’t quite so interested in calling the equipped, but more into equipping the called,” shared Byrd.

Thursday morning David Jamieson, UCC president, shared inspiring testimonies from his time working at The Church in the Valley in British Columbia, Canada. He shared the impact his former church made in the community and expressed his desire to ignite the spark in UCC to Serve One More.

“Service changes our churches. Service changes our communities. Service changes each of our hearts and minds,” said Jamieson. “Jesus laid down His everything for our nothing. How much more should we, being nothing, serve those He considered to be something worth everything?”

In the mornings and afternoon children’s programs were put on for children in beginners to youth. Kids enjoyed interactive meetings with singing, crafts as well as bounce houses, and slip and slides.

On Thursday and Friday morning and afternoon, seminars were being presented on a variety of topics. Those that were in attendance expressed their interest in the seminars with reports of as many as 50 in attendances at several meeting.

Early each morning UCC pastors shared the importance of prayer. Friday morning, pastor Stephen Farr, district pastor of Pendleton and Pilot Rock, shared his life story and how prayer impacted his life. Later that morning he shared with a smaller group during seminar time, “how prayer starts the fire of revival in your church and community.”

A prayer room was provided to all that attended to open their hearts to the Lord as a group or personally. Each evening after the meeting a spiritual anointing service was held, encouraging attendees to pray for the messages that were presented.

Mid-morning Friday, Jamieson finished his two-part series on Servolution, “a significant change in the course of human history sparked by simple acts of kindness.”

With Serve One More as the theme of the 2023 camp meeting, service projects were a part of the week’s schedule. The first group, the youth class, went out into the community to serve by transforming a yard in Tekoa, Wash. Then Friday afternoon, two groups served the communities of Fairfield and Spangle. Yard clean up, weeding, pruning, and debris removal kept the many volunteers occupied. There were 100 volunteers putting the Serve One More theme into practice.

Sabbath morning John McVay, president of Walla Walla University, presented the Sabbath School lesson, and Camp MiVoden director, Jeff Wines, and staff shared about the ministry they are providing at camp this summer. Then a thousand people gathered under the Big Tent for a final message by Byrd.

“We need a revival,” shared Byrd. “We have a responsibility to make Jesus famous! When you say yes to Jesus, then you say no to the devil, and he will try to get you to take back your yes.”

Sabbath afternoon attendees spread out over UCA’s campus enjoying each other’s company and partaking in potluck. Soon after, they gathered to hear musical guest, Fernando Ortega share in song and piano.

Wrapping up the weekend of service, song, and worship Jamieson presented, “Jesus is the CEO of UCC.” Jamieson explained that, “when we follow Jesus and lift Him up miracles happen in our own lives because it is God’s work.”

If you missed camp meeting visit news.uccsda.org/CampMeeting2023 to listen to Carlton Bryd and David Jamieson share the importance of Serving One More.