WEST OF IRELAND FAMILY CAMP 2016: CAMP OF WELCOMES

3rd August 2016

Welcome and inclusivity was the trademark of the 2016 West of Ireland family camp, held for the seventh year in a row at the Kilnasoolagh camp site at Newmarket on Fergus, County Clare over the July bank holiday weekend.

Camp2016-285-Dan-Serb-and-David-Neal-1-of-1 First to be welcomed at the event, which has become a high point in the Irish Mission Church calendar, was Pastor Dan Serb, the newly appointed Irish Mission President. The presentation he gave to a camp audience that was almost filled to capacity was challenging and informative. Exploring the causes of religious violence around the world, he emphasised the need for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its members to show the inclusiveness of all people in the community without compromising the beliefs of the church. "There is a growing need to be known in your local community as a people who are balanced in their religious beliefs, who love others and who are welcoming."

A sad goodbye was said to Pastor David Neal and his wife Marci who have served the Irish Mission for the past eleven years. On behalf of the churches in the West, Mrs. Angela O' Brien thanked the Neals for their loving leadership and support over the years. Pastor Neal remarked on the growing multi-cultural membership of the Adventist churches on this island. This was a development that he witnessed in his time as President. "Almost every country in the world has its ambassadors for Christ in Ireland now, and this has enriched the membership and fellowship in the local churches," he stated. "The diversity was a great blessing to me during my term in office."

Camp2016-285x-19-of-72 A big welcome-back was given to Pastor Jeff Freeman who travelled from Rome to preach at the camp. When he announced where he came from, he had to quickly clarify that this Rome is in Georgia, USA where he now serves in a pastoral district. Pastor Freeman pastored the Cork Church until March this year. His presentations were based on the theme, Walking with Jesus inspired by Matthew 24:12 which warns "that the love of many will grow cold."

Over the four days of the camp, Pastor Freeman took us on six different journeys with Jesus throughout His ministry on this earth, and gave a message of hope in a world becoming increasingly devoid of Christian love and Christian principles.

A very special welcome was extended to the six new members of the church who were baptised at the camp. They had travelled from Kilkenny, Cork, and Newmarket to be baptised by Pastors Ben Pontanar, Tony O'Rourke, and Jeff Freeman. Two of the candidates had taken their marriage vows two days before camp and desired to show their love for Jesus in their marriage by entering the waters of baptism. The candidates were supported by family, friends, and some wedding guests who had never before seen a baptism.

Camp2016-285x-65-of-72 It was the Kilkenny group's first time at Camp. Their melodious voices added energy and joy to the rousing song services that inspired all the attendees. They promised to return next year to worship with church members and new friends from sister churches who travelled from Longford, Mayo and Galway.

"Camp was everything we expected," said Pastor O'Rourke. "Much of the success of the weekend is thanks to the team of interns from the Cork and Waterford churches who provided hands-on assistance in getting everything set up. Not only did they help with the running of the camp, but they shared their talents in music and singing, and helped the other star of the organisational team, Anna Boishko, in the administrative duties of running the camp." He hastened to also express his gratitude to Daniel Wilson, "who managed a bookstall with CDs, DVDs and very up-to-date books in the Pathfinder Barn. He did all this while looking after his new born son. Lilian Cooper and her kitchen team also presented colourful and tasty dishes to keep the campers well-fed."

Camp2016-285x-69-of-72 The 2106 Camp will be remembered for beautiful weather as well as its welcome and inclusivity. There were many new faces, new church members, even a new Mission President! But above all, it heralded a new journey with Christ, which began with the theme Walking with Jesus.