Midwest Camp 2024 was attended by over two hundred people who gathered at the campsite located ninety miles from St. Louis, Missouri. This year was the 25th annual camp meeting at Pinecrest Camp. The lake and surrounding trees were, as always, a beautiful sight. However, nothing could compare to the beauty of God’s presence that greeted those who gathered for worship at the Bible teaching on Tuesday morning.

The service opened with “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” and God’s Spirit was warmly welcomed as the congregation sang “Holy Spirit Thou Art Welcome” and “Showers of Blessing.” The worship songs and testimonies reflected the theme of salvation. One sister testified to God’s saving grace at last year’s camp, and told how she prayed through to sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Another sister shared how the Lord convicted her and gave her strength to confess a hypocritical life. When she believed, God gave her genuine salvation that has held firm. The song “I Came for Water, But He Gave Me Life” preceded the teaching, which drew from Zacchaeus’s conversion story. Jeff Downey, St. Louis pastor and camp director, brought the teaching on salvation. He highlighted the necessity of repentance and faith in salvation and defined godly sorrow as going beyond mere regret or remorse. It is a complete turning away from sin, a reversal of direction.

The theme verse for the camp meeting was Philippians 4:8. The afternoon devotionals on Tuesday and Wednesday (conducted for adults concurrently with the afternoon youth activities) focused on the six adjectives Paul highlighted for “thinking upon.” Terry Ross, of Medford, Oregon, covered the first three—true, honest, and just. Emphasizing the contrast between these attributes and those exhibited in the secular world, Brother Terry encouraged listeners to pursue Christ, who alone can make this distinction a lived-out reality.

A brass ensemble opened the Tuesday evening service with a rousing rendition of “A New Name Written Down in Glory.” The congregational singing also beautifully carried forward the morning theme into the evening worship. Following a quartet that sang “Look What the Lord Has Done,” there were several testimonies of victory. Sam Cantrell, of St. Louis, testified of the Lord’s undertaking in a health crisis and looks forward to God completing His work in his life. Jonathan and Alex Cantrell, from St. Louis, both shared how the Lord was with them when their baby was delivered in the midst of a medical emergency. Joshua Idowu, from Worth, Illinois, gave praise to God for bringing him through both a stroke and a season of unemployment in the last year. For the sermon, Donald Fittin, of Van Buren, Arkansas, took his text from 2 Timothy 4:6-8 and spoke of loving the appearing of the Lord, and challenged those present to anticipate with bold confidence our presence with Christ.

On Wednesday morning, attendees enjoyed 250 photos representing many memories, blessings, and loved ones over the past 25 years of Midwest Camp at Pinecrest. The hymns and testimonies supported the teaching’s focus on sanctification. Dial Keju, from Washington D.C., testified that after salvation, he knew in his heart there was a further need. He studied Scriptures about sanctification and the day he heard a teaching on Romans 12:1, he understood what was missing. He surrendered the entirety of his being as a “living sacrifice” and God gave him the experience of sanctification. A sister from Van Buren had a salvation experience and believed in the baptism of the Holy Ghost but had never heard of sanctification. As she read God’s Word and came to understand His consistent call to holiness, awareness came along with a growing hunger. She now praises God for this life-changing experience.

In the teaching, Karen Storey, from Van Buren, described mankind’s universal sin-nature problem and quickly moved on to explore God’s provided solution: removal of the “old man.” Drawing from a prayer of Jesus in John 17, she stressed there is both an individual’s part and God’s part in this precious second blessing. The seeker’s part is prayer, consecration, and full surrender of their lives to God. Then they can trust that God will do His part and sanctify their lives. What a blessing to live with a cleansed heart!

The afternoon devotional picked up the remaining three adjectives of the theme verse—pure, lovely, and of good report. Carrie Keju, of Washington DC, challenged the congregation to move from thinking to committed action by examining these attributes in Christ’s example, and then following His example.

Youth camp, which had run from Friday through Monday, was brought into the Wednesday evening service, introducing everyone to a youth camp style chapel service. Young and old enjoyed singing, memory verse recitations, and song presentations. However, the skits were the favorite! The verse-themed skits were produced and performed by each cabin, and all were excellent. After more praise songs, Joshua Idowu, pastor from Worth, Illinois, took his message from Luke 16:19-22, which tells of the rich man and Lazarus. Brother Joshua reminded all that the door to eternity shuts with finality, so they must live for the Lord now.

With the baptism of the Holy Spirit as the topic, on Thursday morning the congregation sang “Bring Your Vessels, Not A Few,” “Send the Fire,” and “The Pentecostal Power.” Jerry and Pam Sweeney, from Woodlake, California, both testified to the Holy Spirit’s baptism. Although Jerry had been ignorant of the experience, God was faithful and showed him that it was real and that he needed it. The work was completed as he sought it with thanksgiving and praise for the blessings already enjoyed. After graduating from high school, Pam wanted to be bold in following God and began consecrating. As she listened, surrendered, and entirely removed herself out of God’s way, He completely and gloriously filled her with His Spirit. The teaching, given by Mark Staller from Tehachapi, California, focused on the Spirit’s unique work. He shared how to learn from personal testimonies of others and gave general suggestions to help seekers breakthrough to receive the experience.

The children’s choir opened the afternoon youth service with “I’m in the Lord’s Army.” During testimonies, Natalie Downey thanked God for His presence as she relocated to St. Louis. Ethan Downey shared how he had to seek God’s will anew as the family’s move disrupted his college application and plans, but God used this challenge to show him the value of knowing you are following God’s will. A sister testified to a year of living in victory after the Lord showed her she had been living as less than what He had called her to. She thanked God for His comfort during isolation and loneliness in her first year at university. Esther Olusanya, from Worth, took her text from Ezekiel 14:1-3, pointing out that God knows each one’s spiritual idols in the same way He had known Israel’s physical idols. God is more than ready to undertake on behalf of those who are willing to remove the idols and stumbling blocks from their lives.

A lively wind ensemble opened the Thursday evening service, and equally lively congregational singing followed. A brother testified to the Lord’s faithfulness in keeping him in a victorious walk for seventy years. Cheryl Wolf, from St. Louis, testified how God got her attention and saved her as a young girl, sanctified her, and filled her with the Holy Spirit. James Timbilla, the pastor in Wharton, New Jersey, preached from Luke 4:18 that the One who came to “set at liberty the captives” is able to deliver still today.

Friday morning, six newly saved young people were water baptized. First, Chet King, from Portland, Oregon, spoke on having a new life in Christ and the purpose and meaning of water baptism. The congregation sang and prayed for blessing upon the candidates before the baptisms proceeded.

Those gathered for the afternoon service enjoyed American bluegrass style music. During testimonies, a brother from Worth thanked the Lord for keeping him and for blessing his marriage for forty-one years. Bunmi Omitoyin, the pastor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, read from Isaiah 53:1, “Who hath believed our report?” He reminded listeners of all the wondrous works of God that they have witnessed through the years, and exhorted all to touch the Lord one more time in believing faith.

The music for the evening service was Midwest and Newfoundland style singing. “I Came Expecting God to Move,” “God Will Make a Difference,” and “The Holy Spirit’s in the Land,” were just some of the wonderful songs sung by all. Jon Wolf, from St. Louis, testified how he was saved as a young child and the Lord has kept him all these years. Most recently, the Lord provided a kidney transplant that is proving successful. Chandler Dye, from Van Buren, testified to God saving him last camp, keeping him, and teaching him through the faith of the youth. Rodney Duff, from Van Buren, brought the evening message from Psalm 30:1, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” He shared his own story of a dramatic stormy night and also the account of the disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee. Brother Rodney exhorted everyone to stay with Jesus regardless of the storms of life that come. Jesus is able to deliver each one safely to the other side.

On Saturday, everyone headed to their respective homes. During the week, many testified to God’s salvation, sanctification, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and divine healings. Personal consecrations were made and souls were grounded deeper in their faith. Without a doubt, God granted many victories!