As always, when the saints gather in the Name of Jesus, He is there too! The saints at the 2023 Southern and Eastern District (SED) Camp Meeting are thanking God for His presence and blessing this year. The event was held August 9-13, and as was done last year, the meeting site was the beautiful Lake Yale Conference Center just north of Orlando. This was the sixty-fifth consecutive SED camp meeting anniversary, and it was a special time to thank God for the victories He has granted and the many lives touched through the consecrating season of camp meeting over the years. It was also a special blessing to have Superintendent General Darrel Lee visiting from Portland, Oregon, along with his wife, Debbie and their eldest grandson, Jackson Parker. 

Camp meeting was launched the week before with evening prayer meetings held online. As saints sought God’s presence, the Spirit began moving and victories were won before the even camp started. This theme of prayer continued at camp with daily morning prayer for all age groups, including for children.

At the first evening evangelistic service, spirits were high and hearts were hungry. As the ministers entered, the congregation softly sang “One More Time.” Josephine McElveen, the SE District Superintendent and pastor in Washington DC, welcomed everyone to the camp meeting and then Olulana Alofe, the group leader in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, led congregational singing. The testimonies opened with Edward Dixon, the pastor in Columbus, Georgia. He told of his salvation experience while based in Germany with the United States Army, and of God’s goodness in keeping and healing him. For the last special, Consuela Hagans from Houston, Texas, gave a beautiful rendition of “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Brother Darrel brought the evening message from Luke 18:1, “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.” He emphasized that prayer is communicating and becoming better acquainted with God for the purpose that He might be glorified (John 14:13). This theme of consecrating and submissive prayer for God’s glory became a frequent touchstone throughout the camp meeting.

The opening song at the Thursday morning service was “He’s Worthy to Be Praised,” followed by a violin duet of “Spirit of the Living God.” Heraclio (Johnny) Wyatt, pastor in Brooklyn, New York, led the morning worship and Sister Debbie Lee opened the testimony service. She thanked God for His steadfast goodness to her and the lessons learned that have been consistent through her life. Later, Jessica Ekanem from Washington DC sang “Remind Me” before Dwane Ross from Kingstree, South Carolina, delivered the morning teaching. Starting with Colossians 1:20 and moving on to Leviticus 14, Brother Dwane spoke about the Blood of Jesus, emphasizing its life-giving ability and reconciling grace in the lives of those who access its power through faith.

In the afternoon, the annual women’s fellowship service had the theme of “Moving Forward in 2023.” The song leader was Sharon Thibela from Key West, Florida. Verena McElroy, from Fort Worth, Texas, delivered the message from Romans 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Sister Verena looked first at what “moving forward” means, considering the saints’ varied locations and perspectives. She said the Word of God brings all together in a common understanding of holiness, and form that shared basis, women of God can move together as one in Christ.

Following prayerful singing of “Thank You, Lord,” the second evening service opened with a district-wide orchestra and choir prelude, led by Elizabeth Adebayo from East Bridgewater. Debra Piper from Orlando, Florida, sang “An Unclouded Day” with the congregation joining in. Oludare Owolabi, leader of the Reston, Virginia group, led the worship service, opening with “The Lily of the Valley.” In recognition of the sixty-fifth anniversary, there was a reading of Reverend Cato Bush’s testimony by Joshua Garraway of Houston, Texas. Brother Darrel opened the testimony service, a testimony that was new to many in this district and giving everyone better insights into our leader’s personal background. Following a few more testimonies, Anu (Mercy) Oyadiran from Brooklyn, New York, sang “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Reginald Segres, pastor in Kingstree, South Carolina, brought the evening message, taking his text from John 4:21-24. He asked the challenging question, “What type of worshiper are you?” To illustrate, he described three types of sports fans: those who support their team only when it is winning; those who support various teams depending on the argument they want to make; and those who stand by their team whether it is winning or losing. He made the point that true worshipers are like the third group because they love God with all their hearts no matter the circumstances.

On Friday morning, the teaching started with sanctuary-wide praise as everyone sang “Think About His Love.” Brother Johnny led congregational singing, starting with “Just Over in the Glory Land,” followed by several short testimonies. Brother Darrel gave the morning teaching on holiness. Opening with 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 and 7, he spoke of the two-fold nature of sin—sinful acts of rebellion committed against God, and the sin nature that all are born with. God therefore offers a two-fold remedy: forgiveness of committed sins, and sanctification of the sin nature

The afternoon youth service opened with a violin special, “The Lamb of God.” A young men’s quintet sang “He Set Me Free” before several energetic testimonies, all showing the victory in Jesus that is available to young people. The children’s choir sang “Fishers of Men,” and then acted out multiple ways that even children can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The youth choir followed, singing, “Every Praise.” Woodrena Segres from Kingstree, South Carolina, gave an object lesson based on 1 Corinthians 12:4-7. She used a backpack full of miscellaneous objects to illustrate that each person has different things to offer to God, which are all needful for the church to operate effectively. For the last special, Blessing Adeika from Washington DC sang “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” Then Nathaniel Hunsu, the group leader in Athens, Georgia, gave the message. Using Jeremiah 6:16-17, he exhorted the young people to keep to the “old paths,” which is forgiveness through salvation, holiness unto the Lord through sanctification, and power through the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

The Friday evening evangelistic service began prayerfully, to the strains of “I Love You, Lord.” The combined orchestra played “Glorify His Name” and “I Glorify.” Walter Cobb, from Birmingham, Alabama, led the congregational singing, which was enjoyed by all. A short testimony service opened with a reading of Dolly Walker’s testimony by Sharon Ashe from Key West, and then a combined choir sang “Jesus, the Light of the World.” The last special was Clive Thibela from Key West singing “I Surrender All.” Ron Gaddis, pastor in Richmond, Virginia, gave the message on the blind recovering their sight. He focused on the simple faith and willing obedience of the man mentioned in John 9 who was born blind. Brother Ron challenged his listeners to be sure Jesus had opened their eyes spiritually and that they are walking in “the Light of the World.”

Saturday morning, there were concurrent activities for the youth/children and a marriage and relationship communication seminar led by Brother Ron. He started by speaking about the self-examination framework provided in Colossians 3:12-14, explaining the individual responsibility believers have in their relationships. He concluded with an open question and answer forum.

Everyone gathered back in the sanctuary in the evening to celebrate “JOY Night,” a program of worship music and participation organized by Dolly (Kim) Lewis, from Mobile, Alabama. Brother Johnny was the emcee, and the evening opened with “He Is Lord.” Next, the children came waving flags from all over the world and singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”—an uplifting reminder in these times! A Key West children’s trio sang “Ten Thousand Reasons,” and a violin soloist played “Majesty.” The camp meeting choir sang “Worship Him,” incorporating an exhortation from Isaiah 6, and the orchestra rendered “Joyful, Joyful,” followed by a men’s quartet singing a hymn medley.

Sister Verena gave a dramatic and convicting reading of the poem “The Soliloquy of the Lost Soul.” Then, the sixty-fifth anniversary of camp meeting was recognized with a review of the founding pioneers’ many church plantings. The work grew first throughout the South and the Carolinas, and then up the eastern corridor. Many streams came together into one work, which is now the Apostolic Faith Southern and Eastern United States District, to the glory of God. Of particular note was the consistent role the Apostolic Faith publications played in bringing so many together under the doctrines of Christ. Sister Josephine recognized the many efforts that came together to make these last sixty-five years possible and encouraged everyone to continue in the work of the Lord.

Brother Walter followed, singing a favorite, “My Anchor Holds.” The evening also included an energetic call-out of “Praise God!” in all of the languages represented at this year’s camp meeting. Later, a vocal duet sang “Purify My Heart.” Luther Scott, the group leader in Columbia, South Carolina, gave a participatory “I’m So Glad I’m Here,” followed by Sister Debra singing “Touch Me, Lord Jesus,” in honor of her father, Gospel pioneer Richard Barney. The youth choir sang “Jireh” before Sister Josephine closed the evening by encouraging everyone to continue to be faithful and honest before the Lord.

On Sunday morning, the closing service began with the orchestra playing “Amazing Grace” and the choir singing “Come, Let Us Worship the Lord.” Brother Johnny led congregational worship, starting with “Standing on the Promises.” Brother Darrel’s message was from Romans 1:14-16, on the depravity of the unconverted heart and the victorious power that God has provided. He put the challenge before his listeners that God can save and can keep!

As the camp meeting closed, hearts were filled with praise to God, particularly in recognition of His faithfulness in blessing these gatherings over the past sixty-five years.