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
by John Carpenter | Aug 27, 2025 | Camp News
We Praise our Savior that we can report that we have got our Swimming Pool issues resolved and we have a family scheduled – to come to our camp activity program on the 24th of this month. Please be in prayer for us that our Lord will give them ears to hear – eyes to see – and opened hearts to receive and believe the Truth (which is the Lord Jesus Christ) in their hearing the Gospel. Jeff is feeling so much better – and we are excited about the prospects of serving the Lord to this family (they have five children). We have another family scheduled next month as well.
There is still a lot of work that is in front of us in regards to the trees that have been blown down as a result of the all the wind and rain storms that we have experienced this year. We are glad to see a drop in the price of gas to the extent that has happened. We do love and appreciate those of you who continue to – not only pray for us (that is so very important) but also – when you can – give to us out of what the Lord blesses you – where your finances are concerned. Glory to His Name He is ever Faithful to all us – in supplying our needs! Amen? – yes – Amen!
Speaking of needs – it is still our earnest supplication for the Lord to lead unto us – some male and female candidates for Del-Haven Staff. Camp program staff that have a genuine heart of passion for the souls of 6 to 12 year old – boys and girls souls. This would be a real opportunity – to be a vital part of their hearing the pure truth of the Gospel of the Glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ – the only Sovereign Savior Substitute – that there ever was – is – or ever will be! We have a venue for just such True Christian Zeal – and we would love to talk with you – if you are at all interested! Dear Ones – Please make this a real matter of Prayer for us!
We love all of you – and we are praying for you as well – that God’s guiding and providing will by each of you – constantly and completely – to the pleasure of His will and purpose for your lives.
by John Carpenter | Jul 26, 2025 | Camp News
Well, Dear Ones, here we are – already in the month of July — and still in a recovery mode where any regular camp activity and ministry is concerned. Jeff’s health is continuing to make some real good progress. He is – by God’s grace – making some real strides at regaining his physical strength. Please continue to lift him up before our Lord in prayer – where this is concerned.
We have also some real progress to report on a different level. The Lord has led unto us an added ally and asset. Thanks to His leading – we now have a new member on the Del-Haven Board. That’s right — our board of directors have prayed for – and responded in obedient faith – in interviewing and deciding to add a new person to our Board of Directors. Our Board has been increased in that — Mr. Skip Stevson – of Strasburg Union Church — of Strasburg, MO — has officially become a part of us. He has (along with Strasburg Union Church) faithfully and prayerfully supported Del-Haven in all that we are endeavoring to do for the Lord in the furtherance of His Kingdom. Skip is a man of much knowledge and many skills that we are sure will prove to make him a valuable asset to this ministry. Please remember him in your prayers for Del-Haven – that the Lord will continue to bless us in His divine leadership of this ministry.
We – recently — have had to make some much needed parts replacements in our swimming pool. It has required a new Pump Motor plus we needed to replace a large “O” ring for the new motor. And “when it rains – it pours”– we had to replace our Breaker Box — a major double breaker – that was bad. All total – the higher than usual cost of just getting our swimming pool serviced and ready for use has been $943.00! But, do you know what? Our ever faithful Lord and Leader has more than provided for us in that we had the funds to cover it. Once again – Praise the Lord!
We really do love it when the Lord manifests His ever faithful presence and provision for our needs! By the way, it appears that our new president is successfully making a positive impact on the economy. We definitely could use a lowering of the inflation that has been so oppressive. Let’s continue to pray for our government and those that have ruling authority over us [1Ti.2:1-2]. May the Lord through them lead us in a quiet and peaceable life – in all Godliness and Honesty. Do not forget to seek the Lord in putting together a spiritually capable staff so that we can once again – bring out “cabin-fulls” of children into the hearing of the Word of the Truth of the Gospel!
Thank you for all your continued loving and prayerful support! We love you – and we continue to pray for you as well. We thank our Lord and Savior God for you all!
by John Carpenter | Jun 21, 2025 | Camp News
Well, Dear Ones, in spite of all the turmoil and controversy that is going on in this world – by the exposure of corruption that has been embedded – in some parts – for many years – in our government – we can still take comfort that our sovereign Lord God – is still in absolute control!
It is truly wonderful to know that He in whom we trust – whom we follow – is why we can rest completely assured that — “all things work together for good to them that are – the called – according to His Purpose.” Praise His Name! He is the One who holds the whole of our Future – and that is Truth!
We rejoice greatly over the fact that Jeff Hall is the recipient of our Lord’s blessings in regards to all the things that he has had to go through where his physical health is concerned. We are hopeful that we may be able to organize some family camps for this July and maybe even August! The Lord willing (and He can do anything) this will happen. Please continue to be in prayer for Jeff – in this regard. He has recovered a lot of his strength already! Let’s keep lifting him up before our Savior!
Also, of course – Please continue to pray for the re-development of Camp Staff…this is still a strong desire of our hearts to be able to once again bring 6 to 12 year old children out here for a week of camp activities – and into the hearing of the Word of the Truth of the Gospel. Through you – our Lord demonstrates His faithfulness unto us! What a wonderful blessing! We realize how uncertain these times appear to be! In these very times – let’s remember Ps.118:6: “The Lord is on my side – I will not fear – what can man do unto me?” And then also verse 8: “It is better to trust in the Lord – than to put confidence in man.” And that says it all. The Lord Jesus Christ is, indeed – all we need – to get from here – right into heaven!
Thank you everyone – for being there before the ruling throne of our sovereign Savior. We love you – and we pray for you.
by John Carpenter | May 20, 2025 | Camp News
Dear ones, as I put forward in last month’s letter — an urgent prayer request for our Brother – Jeff Hall – let me give you all an update on his health. He had to go through open heart surgery. And, in addition, because he also had a great need for some serious dental work to be performed – that had to come first!
Now at this point I must give first of all – our great Lord and Savior thanks – and then next also for all of you that obviously prayed for Jeff even before you knew of His dire need! I say this because the dentist and the doctor acted so quickly! They performed the much needed dental work on a Wednesday – and then – did the more serious open heart surgery – on the immediate next day (Thursday)! This seemed to me to be a very risky proposition, to say the least! But God (two great words of our Bibles) intervened for Jeff beautifully — in answer to all our hopes and prayers! Jeff came through the crisis – because of Christ his Savior! Thank you, Lord – thank all of you who were moved to intercede on his behalf.
Now, because of the immediate season upon us — of Jeff’s recovery (which should be at least 6 weeks) we will most likely be working on some much needed renovation of our buildings and grounds that we know we need to give some much needed attention. It is our hopes to be able to minister and do some family camping ministry before the end of the Summer. Please be in prayer with us to this end – and please keep Jeff in your ongoing prayers – for his thorough and complete recovery.
Don’t forget to be praying for the Lord’s replacement of our Staff! We want the ones that He provides. Please pray for us – that we may patiently seek Him to hear and answer our prayers.
by John Carpenter | Apr 22, 2025 | Camp News
Well, dear family in Christ, we are coming closer and closer to the time where we will begin a spring and summer season of once again – inviting families of the children to come out and spent a few hours of a day participating in Del-Haven Camp activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, crafts and, of course, campfires (along with cooking marshmallows). We also will have a Bible Study time where the pure Truth of the Gospel of the glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ will be boldly presented – unto the whole family. We covet your earnest prayers that this will be spiritually productive in bringing forth eternal fruit – according as our Lord wills and is pleased to do.
In order to most effectively accomplish these things – we have to put forward to you – a pressing prayer request where our Brother in Christ, Jeff Hall, is concerned. He has been experiencing a few chest pains lately. And, he has a doctor’s appointment coming up. Please remember to be lifting him up before our Lord in your prayers. Pray that they can detect exactly why he is having these pains – and what exactly he needs — in order to remedy the situation. We need Jeff – and we need him to be alright! So please – let’s keep him in all of our prayers!
Plus, we are still seeking the Lord to lead us to – or lead unto us – some good and capable staff – both male and female – that will be able to lead – both physically and spiritually – where the activities of a camp week is concerned. This is a need that we are praying the Lord, Himself, will supply.
We thank and praise our Lord for all of you that have continued to show your love for Him and us – in His work out here. Your prayers and your gifts have been – and always are – an evidence of — His and your love for this ministry. We love you – and we do pray for you as well.
