by John Carpenter | Jan 10, 2026 | Camp News
We are so thankful to our Lord for His leading and bringing us through another whole year and doing it safely and peacefully. This encourages us — to continue to earnestly seek Him – for whatever He wants to accomplish in line with Del-Haven Ministry. Please remember to pray this for us as well. Just like experiencing – going through – a whole new year in time – it is like living into and through a whole New Beginning! And, especially when you are one of God’s holy – holy – holy Household – you — have been awakened and quickened into a living relationship with Him and you have His Personal Presence with you – as He leads you into something entirely new! It is this reality that will make 2026 something truly wonderful! We lovingly pray this for all of you as we do for ourselves!
That being said – Please remember to be praying for our ministry to camper families – as well as for our need for Camp Program and Camp Cabin Leaders. When Del-Haven first started back in 1952 – our first camp was staffed for that sole camp – with very inexperienced leaders! It was a struggle – to say the least! However, everyone was believing and trusting in the Lord for His strength and patience and overall leadership to get us through the ordeal. He brought us through all those uncertain times (at least – “uncertain” as far as we were concerned) and He created a ministry for His Glory that has brought us unto today — over seven decades later!
Let’s face it! Our Great God and Savior – Jesus the Christ – IS – a God of New Beginnings! Here we are in the year 2026 – and we are still having to solely follow — His Leadership and Provision alone! Let’s just Stand Firm in Him – our future will unfold right before us – whatever He has willed and is pleased to take place – will take place. That’s the way it has been – and that’s the way it will be. He has Provided for us over all these years – and while He still provides – we must press on in our particular ministerial course – engaged in the fight of the Faith of Jesus Christ – striving for the Glory, Only, of Christ our God (see: 2Ti.4:5-8)! Thank you all for still “Standing” with us. We love you…
Have A Very Happy New Year!
by John Carpenter | Dec 11, 2025 | Camp News
This month’s devotional is very appropriate for both reflection on the end of the soon to be old year – and the beginning of the new. Why? Even because it is so fitting that the end of our earthly walk with our Lord — should perfectly dove-tail with our heavenly new beginning as He leads us into a whole new year. After all – our Savior is the alpha and omega of Him being our “all and in all!” [Col.3:11]
Dear ones, we have a special prayer request: We just this last month received word of the passing of Roberta Vasholz, a dear friend and supporter of Camp Del-Haven. The Lord called Roberta to Himself on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. She was faithful to support us with her prayers and gifts for many, many years! Please remember to pray for her family and friends and church that survive our Lord’s receiving her unto Himself.
And, as always – my dear family in Christ – let us not relax our importunity in seeking from our Savior – the Lord and Leader – Provider and Protector of Del-Haven – His choice of a Spirit-led Staff of dedicated male and female servants to effectively minister the Gospel unto 6 to 12 yr. old boys and girls. This current generation really needs This kind of ministry setting. We are seeking from the Lord – those special persons — to stand and serve the Lord Jesus Christ with us – to the Glory of God alone!
Your prayerful support in this — is much appreciated – we love just knowing that you are standing with us. We encourage you to go to our website: campdelhaven.org and stay informed with that which we currently need – and that which we are currently doing – all in the Name of our Wonderful Lord and Savior!
For our final text – may the God of our Eternal Salvation – by His great grace – cause us to see our personal names in the place of Paul’s – in this opening text of his letter unto Titus:
“ ____________, a bond-servant of God – and a messenger of Jesus Christ – according – to the faith of God’s elect – and the full acknowledging of the Truth – which is after Godliness: In Hope of Eternal Life – which God – that cannot lie – Promised before eternity began – but hath – in due times – manifested His Word through Preaching which is committed unto us – according to the commandment of God our Savior: Grace, Mercy and Peace – from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ – our Savior.” — Titus 1:1-4
by John Carpenter | Nov 27, 2025 | Camp News
Well, once more we approach the end of another year. The environment of Del-Haven is made simply brilliant by the multicolored leaves of its trees. Plus, the sunsets have been just fabulous! I just love this time of year. The manifestations of our Creator God are indeed wonderful!
Thank you for your prayers concerning Jeff. He seems to be doing quite well – even though he is still under a doctor’s care. Please continue to lift him up before the Lord – as we trust that you do for all of us. We are encouraged about the fact that the last family that we ministered to during this last summer voiced that they all wanted to come back and also to put them on our monthly newsletter list. The drawing grace of our Lord and Savior – is it not grand? Thank you, Lord.
We have added some extra window covering to our Dining Hall – as preparation for the Winter that is coming right up. Anything that we can do to cut back the need for propane will be a help. Jeff, Theresa and Skip did a great job in the accomplishment of that task. Also, I have asked for a man to come out and survey our main road to see what – and how much – it would cost to make the road smoother so the bottom of our cars won’t continue to drag in some places. Please pray with us where this is concerned. Thank you in advance for doing so – please know that your prayers are highly treasured by us. We love you – have a great Thanksgiving!
by John Carpenter | Oct 29, 2025 | Camp News
Well, Dear Ones, in spite of all the adverse circumstances of our Summer ministry unto families – we do rejoice for what we were able to do for our Lord – Who is (and always will be) the real Leader of this ministry. We Praise Him for everything that He has both done and is doing!
What a blessing it was to offer families (like the one featured above) with a day of camp activites featuring the preaching and teaching of the Gospel message. If you get a chance, please visit our website’s Photo Gallery to see the latest pictures from this past summer’s Family Day Camps, and join us in the hope that next year’s camp season will be blessed by God with even more campers to hear His Truth.
Last but not least, please remember to continue to support us in your prayers – for us personally – and for the rebuilding of a staff of truly awakened and quickened – and zealous to serve the Lord in a ministry unto children…and their respective families. We love that you are there before the sovereign throne of our Lord – on our behalf. We need you – and we love you – and we pray for all of you. Please be in Prayer for our great country and its leadership!
by John Carpenter | Sep 26, 2025 | Camp News
Well everyone, as we quickly approach the end of Summer 2025, we are experiencing once again some rather high temperatures. Thankfully, as always – our Lord is in control – even where the weather is concerned!
Our last Family Camp occurred on September 6th. This was with a mother and her 4 children (2 boys and 2 girls). She, herself, was a camper almost two decades ago! She of course grew up to an age where she was able to serve as a staff helper for our girls camps. What a joy to see a live testimony – with her children – showing up for one of our family camp days.
She and her family had a wonderful time. They heard a presentation of the pure truth of the Gospel and we said the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag and then they had lunch. Next we had a time of Crafts — where the kids could make some souvenirs of their time at Del-Haven. Later they went swimming – and then they went fishing (and caught some fish too!). And then, they roasted marshmallows over an open camp fire. All of this in God’s wonderful outdoor environment! I heard the children say, “Hey Mom – can we come back here?” We hope and pray that we see them come back for another fun day at Camp Del-Haven!
Indeed, we sincerely hope and trust that you all are seeking from the Lord – with us and for us – His provision of another Staff of male and female helpers – so we can once again accommodate some regular weeks of camp for boys and girls like we used to do. Lord Willing, we will witness some more of those blessed Del-Haven Camp Experiences once again.
We do thank you, dear ones, for your continual prayerful support. Your prayers and gifts have been essential to us knowing and realizing the Lord’s divine presence and leadership of His ministry here at Del-Haven. We love and pray for you all!
by John Carpenter | Aug 27, 2025 | Camp News
“God…now commandeth (lit.) all everywhere – to Repent – (31) Because – He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in Righteousness – by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance (or more lit. faith) unto all – in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” [Ac.17:30-31]
“And the servant of the Lord – must not strive – but be gentle unto all men – apt to teach, patient (25) in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves – if God peradventure – will Give them Repentance – to the acknowledging of the Truth.” [2Tim.2:24-25]
“Then Peter and the other apostles – answered and said – We ought to obey God rather than men. (30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus – whom ye slew and hanged on a tree! (31) Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior – for to Give Repentance to Israel – and forgiveness of sins. (32) And we are His witnesses of these things – and so is the Holy Spirit – Whom God Hath Given – TO THEM – THAT OBEY HIM.” [Ac.5:29-32]
“Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us – who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ…(18) When they heard these things – they held their peace – and glorified God, saying – Then hath God – also to the Gentiles – Granted Repentance unto life!” [Ac.11:17-18]
The second portion of scripture written above gives to us further elaboration in regards to the Bestowal of God’s grace of Repentance. It introduces to us the role of the “servant of the Lord”. It is His servants whom He raises up and sends forth to spread the Commandment of God – to sinners everywhere – that they should Repent! This is related to us from the first portion of Scripture. Wherein there is also given to us the news of an absolutely perfect Righteous Judgment on everybody’s schedule that God has ordained (see: He.9:27) – by the man that God has also ordained to be the Judge – and that Man is the Lord Jesus Christ!
Hence, the bond-slave of the Lord – it says from the next section – must not strive – nor quarrel or dispute – but be gentle unto all – that the Lord, Himself, draws unto him – or providentially draws His servant into their presence. Whatever the case might be – in this world and at this time – “the servant of the Lord…must be apt (or Holy Spirit–skilled) “to teach” – all the while forbearing whatever ills and wrongs they may be confronted with – the Lord’s servant must in “meekness”– “instruct those that oppose themselves”– “if God peradventure (or, if perhaps) God – will give them (by His Saving Grace) genuine and true “Repentance”!
And, Dear Ones, This is the Only way – anyone of us – Can or Will obey God’s Command to Repent! Why? Because Repentance is the Holy Spirit’s revealing unto US – all our own sins! Indeed our own sins – in this world – become our greatest regret and source of disappointment and despondency! And, “by the Faith of Jesus Christ” – Himself – along with the leading of the Holy Spirit – by the Word of God – We walk out the rest of our time in this fallen world – following our Savior — right into our Savior’s Holy–heavenly and eternal world! Praise His Wonderful Name!
We will make further comments especially concerning the context of the next section of scriptures – on this most vital and wonderful subject – in our next monthly news and prayer letter. Amen.
— John Carpenter
