by John Carpenter | Aug 15, 2016 | Ministry News
We are in our final camp for 2016 as this prayer letter is being written. This camp is typically the smallest camp of our whole season. Please continue to pray for us. Often, it seems, these smaller sessions are actually some of the richest sessions spiritually. “For who hath despised the day of small things?” May our God restrain us from doing this.
For some, school starts as soon as next week! These children need our most earnest prayers for “the nurture and admonition” of our Lord throughout the whole year. This should be our faithful endeavor for both our staff and all the campers.
by John Carpenter | Aug 15, 2016 | Ministry News
Our Open House Event was well received even though it was a hot, sultry day. Those that came got a front row seat to an actual camp afternoon and evening. We had the campers sing songs — quote their memory verses — and many of them gave testimonies. One little boy stepped up and thanked those that attended for supporting Del-Haven so he could come to camp for free! I promise you that no one put him up to doing that…it was of the Lord! We had a blessed time together.
The children sang songs from the week, quoted their memory verses, and gave testimonies about their week at camp.
Visitors got a chance to eat and visit with the campers.
by John Carpenter | Aug 15, 2016 | Devotional
“Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (11) Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…(14)For the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if One died for all, then were all dead; (15) and He died for all, that they which live should not, henceforth, live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them — and rose again!” [2Co.5:9-11;14-15]
It is a natural characteristic of having been quickened, or regenerated, by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God for the new “born-from-above” true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to be eager and earnest — throughout this life — to desire to do something for the furtherance of the eternal Kingdom of Christ their Savior and Lord. This is what is being communicated to us from the Holy Spirit’s use of the word, labor, in the opening statement of our scripture that is referenced above. And, it becomes our ambition to be of service to Him in a way that is in full agreement and complete acceptance with that which the Word of God describes and declares concerning the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, our eternal Redeemer.
This scripture reference also states that it is inevitable that all of fallen mankind will eventually, and personally, appear before the judgment seat of Christ where we will justly receive from Him that which is justly due to us according to our life and the way that we have lived in this fallen and sinful body; “whether it be good or bad”. This means that we will experience being righteously judged for all the things we have thought; we have said; and, we have done. What a fearful and foreboding event that will be! It is no wonder that the Holy Spirit says: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men!”
We put forth our most persuasive arguments from God’s Word — not for fallen and sinful men and women to convert themselves, or to make themselves, to be ready to appear before the judgment seat of Christ — for that is not something any of us can do for ourselves — no — we need the grace of the Savior for that accomplishment. But, it is the earnest desire of true godly ministers to convince fallen men that they are in an eternally dangerous state and condition as they continue to walk in their sinful ways that most certainly will lead them to no other place, but hell!
The true gospel ministers, that are yet in this world, are constrained, or literally controlled, by the love of Christ because they genuinely discern the truth of the efficacy of Christ’s sacrificial death as the only sovereign Savior substitute that there ever was, is, or ever will be. They see and understand that they which live by virtue of His death, “should not, henceforth, live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again!” Praise His all glorious and great Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jul 14, 2016 | Events, Ministry News
This month we have a special event planned that we hope you all will support with your attendance. On July 20th — during our fourth camp session — we plan to have a cook out time of fellowship for our friends and faithful supporters. It will be a first of its kind and will give you all a chance to actually participate in an actual camp event! We are doing this in place of an annual banquet. Please plan to be here at Camp Del-Haven from 5PM to 8PM and get in on the real camp experience. We promise you will be well fed and spiritually enriched! The event will take place in our Shelter House. We hope and pray you all can and will be here with us.
by John Carpenter | Jul 14, 2016 | Ministry News
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear friends, our Lord has blessed us with two wonderful camps that have kicked off our 2016 season. This is a true answer to our prayers — both, yours and ours! That being said, however, let us continue to seek the Lord in earnest prayer the rest of the camp year. Please keep us before the throne of our sovereign Savior — staff and camper — that we may be effectually used by His Spirit in service to Him and for His glory.
We had a brief, but welcome, visit from our friends and family in Christ from Forest Grove Baptist Church. They brought us some food goods and supplies, as well as, some encouraging words and a short time of prayer for the ministry. We pray that the Lord will, in turn, richly bless them for their loving, faithful support.
