A Biblical Event
Did you know that the annual GPBC All Church Campout is biblical? Yes, it is in the Bible!! Okay, well, maybe our GPBC campout is not literally in there, but camping sure is. Remember Abraham and Sarah, the patriarchs of the Children of Israel. What did they live in? TENTS!! And God instituted the first ‘Church Campout’ in Leviticus 23:33-36. God called it the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, and it was to celebrate the harvest, thanking the Lord for His wonderful provisions of food every year. God instructed his people to make “booths”, or temporary structures made from branches of trees, and to dwell in them for seven days of feasting and the eighth day to be for a holy assembly to the Lord. Like all the feasts that God gave to them they were given to be reminders of God’s faithful love and care for His Chosen people.
God has always known that his frail human children are so forgetful. How could the Children of Israel have forgotten the plagues of Egypt? Or God parting the Red Sea so that they could cross on dry ground? Or the myriad of other miracles God performed for them. Sometimes God just has to give us reminders, like pillars of rocks, or tablets of stone with the 10 commandments, and sometimes feast days that turned into camping trips. We quickly forget all the wonderful blessings that God gives to us every day.
So why do we have the annual GPBC All Church Campout? I admit it is not quite like the Feast of Booths (although the food is usually pretty great!). And it is not just for the enormous amount of fun that we have with events, like floating the Clackamas River, Corn Hole competitions, Kid’s games, etc. Most of the campers that I have talked to say that they come camping to relax and spend time with the family of God at GPBC.
It is the interactions with our church friends that make it a wonderful experience. It is the ability to get away from our day-to-day routine. To slow down and reflect on how God has blessed us and our sisters and brothers in Christ. To get to know new families to our church, and to build stronger relationships with others. God knows that sometimes we need to be forced to slow down and reflect on His goodness. Why don’t you plan to join us at Barton Park this August 4-6? We have lots of planned activities, but also times of just relaxing at someone’s campsite. God has blessed Greater Portland Bible Church with some pretty wonderful people. Wouldn’t you like to get to know us better? Come join us!! There are still eight campsites available.
If you can’t camp for the two nights, please plan on coming just for the day on Saturday, the 5th. You can still enjoy the fellowship and some of the activities, like the potluck dinner and worship service that immediately follows. Our own Marlon Melendez will be preaching from the Word of God. More information about the Potluck and other details will be coming soon.
If you are a novice camper or not a camper at all, we have some tents and other camping equipment available for you to use. If you have questions, contact Paul Hill at 503-318-5734 or Myrna Hill at 503-318-5386.