Have you been looking forward to attending camp meeting in your conference or a neighboring conference this year? Last year was a most challenging year for those who wanted to attend camp meeting due to the pandemic. All camp meetings were either postponed or a few did some virtual meetings. Most would say the virtual meetings just don’t come close to the actual in-person camp meetings.

What a blessing to see camp meetings being held all across our North American Division this year! There was concern over how many would be willing to attend, which was also on the mind of the Michigan Conference leadership. By faith, plans were put in place to bring back the camp meeting program and if needed, they could restrict the maximum number of how many could attend and be accommodated for in the facilities.

As time drew nearer, the registrations began to come in and it was encouraging to see the good size group that would be attending. Next year, more will be expected to attend this cherished event.

Exhibit Booths

One of the privileges the Michigan Camp Meeting has is a large tent that is used to display various ministries within the conference and some of those outside the conference to share their stories about how God is blessing their ministry as we get ready for the soon return of Jesus.

The “Adventist Youth Ministries Museum – A Discovery and Learning Center” was privileged to have a double booth to share the story of God’s leading in the lives of youth from the mid-1800’s to the present.

This year the following items were part of the display:

MV Monument

The special monument that marked the beginning of the Missionary Volunteer Department for the General Conference in 1907. (Insert Picture 1577) This decision was made in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. The monument weighs over 5,000 lbs.

Ingathering

Ingathering display that many of the older visitors could relate to as they reminisced about the wonderful times they spent gathering funds for the poor and needy families around the world.

A display of Pathfinder and Master Guide slides from past to present.

A display of slides used by the pre-JMV and JMV early days, Pathfinder slides that have changed over the years as well as a number of handmade Pathfinder and Master Guide slides from various countries of the world.

Leo Ranzolin

A display sharing some of the life of Leo Ranzolin, who served in the General Conference youth department from 1970 –1986. Currently he serves as the chairman of the “Adventist Youth Ministries Museum – A Discovery and Learning Center” board.

PBA

Pathfinder Bible Achievement originally started as Pathfinder Bible Bowl in 1988 with four club teams in the state of Wyoming with Pastor Terry Dodge as author. In 2003, the name was changed to Pathfinder Bible Achievement (PBA) with participation by Pathfinder clubs from across the North American Division. PBA was the forerunner of the now Pathfinder Bible Experience program under the direction of the NAD Pathfinder Ministries.

Martha Byington

Adventist Community Services was started by Martha Byington under the name of Dorcas. This program has been a real blessing to all individuals who have participated in or received help from.

Norm Middag

Another display shared a few of the items from Norm Middag’s service to the NAD Adventurer, Pathfinder and Camping ministries. When his case was selected, little did we know his life would be cut short on June 23, 2021.

  • Several other items were shared including a picture of the 500 pound Handwritten Bible, a picture of the 1879 stone commemorating Luther Warren and Harry Fenner and the beginning of the youth movement in Hazelton, MI.
  • Bookmarks of the Rose Parade floats that were done in 1991, 1992, and 1993 along with AYMM brochures and writing pens were given to those who came by the booth as a reminder of what the Lord has done with and for the youth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

For the past several years at the Michigan camp meeting, people have been able to enjoy the special items on display, such as those mentioned above, that will become part of the AYM Museum when it is built in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Encourage others to sign up for their own copy of the “Adventist Youth Ministries Museum – A Discovery and Learning Center” newsletter by going to the website: www.aymmuseum.org