How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

I was reminded of this childhood quandary while traveling to North Carolina recently and it got me thinking…

As Camp prepares to celebrate it’s 60th year, How many…?

How many pastors have preached and teached the Word of God at Camp Carmel?

How many directors have volunteered to minister to young people during a week of Camp Carmel?

How many counselors have sacrificed a week of their lives to minister to a cabin of young people?

How many nurses have cared for the homesick and injured campers?

How many cooks have volunteered over the years? How many kids have they fed?

How many managers and other staff have been hired to work a camping season through the years?

How many lives have been changed at Camp?

How many children and teenagers have met their significant other in Camp Carmel?

How many people and churches have been faithful over the years to give to the ministry and mission of Camp Carmel?

How many campers have taken the plunge off of Big Falls?

How many camp fires have been started?

How many verses of “God Prepare Me” have been sung?

But most importantly, how many young people have been introduced to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in that place that most of us hold so dear to our hearts, Camp Carmel.

It is quite humbling if you think about it. God has shown many of us just how gracious he is through this ministry. Through all of those years it is important to reflect on how He has provided, protected and prepared Camp Carmel for the purpose that it was created.

In just the 25 years that I have been involved with Camp, I have seen God provide _me and _me again. He has provided Carmel with good leadership, faithful volunteers, and Jesus loving staff. Through generous donations of money, _me and talents, we have seen buildings built, generators purchased, and a road maintained. And that is not to mention, the countless number of mowers and other things that have been donated to maintain Camp Carmel. God is faithful

Over the years, his hedge of protection has been more than obvious. When you think of the number of people who attend, work, and visit Camp every season, God has protected each of them. He keeps an eye over the camp during the off season, protecting it from weather, vandalism and probably a lot more than we even realize. God is faithful.

And think of how God uses Camp to prepare his people. Not only does God prepare the hearts of those who continue to see and work towards the purpose of Camp, but those who have been called to ministry outside of camp as well. God is faithful!

Camp Carmel is in a stage of transition right now. We are between executive directors and are continually seeking his guidance and wisdom.

However, the board is already hard at work preparing for another summer of camp. The schedule has been set, the staff is being hired, and hearts are already being prepared for what God has in store. Be in prayer that God will direct and guide our efforts to continue growing and moving ahead.

We want to thank you. You are one of the many who continue to pray, volunteer, and donate to Camp Carmel. We simply ask that through prayerful consideration that you would continue to do so.

I don’t know the answers to any of the previous “How many…?” questions. But I do know that there is only One God who is in control of it all. He will continue to provide the many to carry out this ministry and purpose for Camp Carmel.

~Pastor Darrell Edgar