Camp Dedication

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Dedication of Lavery Hall - May 18, 2003

Rain, stormy skies and a tornado watch did not prevent the celebration at Camp Christian as nearly 100 people gathered to dedicate the new and improved facilities. In addition, Rev. Carol Lavery, retired associate regional minister in Georgia, was honored for her many years of ministry to children and youth at Camp Christian with the official naming of the dining room as Lavery Hall. It was a special day for Carol and her family as they shared memories and visited with friends from across the region. Dr. Jim Collins brought the message during the worship service—citing that the camp should be a place of peace where God’s people can come and “rejoice in the Lord always”. (Philippians 4:4)

Rev. Michael Weeks spoke of the emotion involved in the culmination of this first step toward a bright future at Camp Christian and the joy of Michael and Michelle as they await the imminent birth of their first child. He also shared that the work is not done. Reminding us that we have a large mortgage which is currently being paid out of Sowing Seeds monies, we still have a $100,000 in improvements that need to be made in the next year which include: an outdoor pavilion for campers and a large storage shed to protect our equipment that we have acquired over the last couple of years.

In many different ways, the participants were reminded that the camp ground is “holy ground” where the lives of children, youth and adults have been touched by the Spirit of God and changed significantly in their faith journey. Kudos to the hundreds of people who have given time, energy, and money to enhance the ministry of Camp Christian! It was a great day!

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Cheri Thompson stands in front of Lavery Hall.
Side view of Lavery Hall (Dining Hall)
Peachtree Conference Center has two 2nd floor suites.
And a wraparound porch overlooking the lake.
Interior view of Peachtree Conference Center, designed for smaller meetings.
Porch of Peachtree Conference Center
Porch overlooking the lake at Woodland Lodge.
Beautiful lake at Camp Christian has new recreational facilities.
Woodland Lodge sleeps 58 adults
Woodland Lodge is winterized.
Dean Phelps leads singing.
Dr. Morris Wood in Peachtree Conference Center.

The picture on the mantel was presented by the first Junior Camp in 1963. One of Dr. Wood's children was in the group.
Michelle Weeks in the Lavery Hall Kitchen.
Rev. Michael Weeks introduces the honored guests.
And dedicates the dining hall in honor of the Rev. Carol Lavery.
Carol was Associate Regional Minister for 14 years.
Marilyn Parks Chair of Christian Education commission.
Dr. Jim Collins, Senior Minister of Peachtree Christian Church, gave the dedicatory sermon.
Rev. Michael Weeks prepares for communion.
Breaking Bread.
Dr. and Mrs. Collins come to partake, along with Regional Moderators, Sandra Barnhill and Jim Caton.
Rev. Zena McAdams, Interim Regional Minister, serves Debbie Phelps and Jerrie Bason . .
while Rev. Dean Phelps provides mediatative music.

History and Supporters of Camp Christian Ministry

2002 was a life-changing year for our regional camp in Georgia. Our camp began with the gift of the land by the McAfee family in 1960 and has had a long and successful ministry as a summer camping facility for our youth. Since that time, Disciples have had a vision of an expanded ministry for our camp. In 2002 we began realizing that vision, as construction was completed on year-round conference and retreat facilities.

The new Woodland Lodge was built. This building sleeps 56 in air-conditioned and heated comfort. The lodge has a huge deck with many rocking chairs and features a beautiful view of the lake.

Miracle Day volunteers transformed the Dining Hall into a 2,200 square foot multi-purpose dining and meeting room. With heating and air-conditioning the building is essential to serving groups of all ages all year long.

The historic first building at the camp was remodeled into a full-service conference center. Peachtree Conference Center can serve 32 people with meeting and dining in front of the beautiful fireplace and has a screened porch deck with a view of the lake. Upstairs are the Peachtree Suites suitable for individual retreats and for VIP housing.

Many adult and youth groups have already used our conference facilities. These groups have been blessed by the gifts that have helped to make the construction happen. Mr. C.O. McAfee was a dedicated business leader, philanthropist, and Disciple churchman. He gave the initial gift of the land and supported the camp for years. His family gave additional funds for the construction of a lodge. Woodland Christian Church was a congregation in Macon that closed several years ago. When they closed they gave a gift to the region that was to be used for the construction of a new lodge. Carol Lavery served as the Associate Minister to Youth and was one of the visionaries who dreamed of more ministries for the camp. When she retired, her friends gave gifts in her honor to expand the camp’s ministry. All these funds totaled approximately $191,000. Miracle Day gifts last year for the Dining Hall came to well over $20,000. Peachtree Christian Church deserves special mention because they gave over $26,000 which was used for the remodeling of Peachtree. Added to this, to help us complete our construction is a mortgage loan from Church Extension of about $471,000. Congregations and individuals have assisted the camp with direct gifts, but our primary source of income to help us pay our debt has been and will be your gifts to the Sowing Seeds for Christ’s Church Capital Campaign.

We are indeed blessed by the many individuals who worked on this project; volunteers, persons who gave financially, our Architectural services were donated by Joe Gardner. Congregations and individuals gave gifts for the purchase of the furniture in Woodland Lodge. Everyone got together and made this Sanctuary in the Woods; we call Camp Christian, more accessible and expanded our ministry. Thank you one and all.

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