| By
Michael Wacht
LAKELAND — The Florida Conference recently
completed the purchase of 19.1 acres of land adjacent to the Warren W.
Willis Camp in Leesburg, according to Dr. Randy Casey-Rutland,
conference treasurer. The purchase was approved at this year’s
Florida Annual Conference Event.
MichÈl D’Annecy, executive director of the
camps and conference center, said the purchase will allow the camps
ministry to explore the possibility of adding new facilities—cabins,
a chapel, or recreational facilities—or look into new ministries,
such as a child development and care facility or retirement center for
clergy or laity.
“The purchase…adds a substantial acreage to
the Warren W. Willis Camp,” D’Annecy said. “When I see the
constant growth of the camping ministry, the high demand for
additional meeting spaces, lodging and dining facilities, sport
facilities…I know that the future development of the land is a must.”
The conference has a $440,000 mortgage to pay
for the land. It will be repaid through conference connectional giving
[apportionments], Casey-Rutland said. The conference treasurer’s
office is asking for donations to help pay the mortgage and a $500,000
loan used to upgrade the Leesburg complex’s sewage treatment plant.
“Every dollar we receive in contributions will
help reduce apportionments asked of churches in future years to pay
off these debts,” Casey-Rutland said. “Moreover, the sooner we pay
off these loans the less interest we will have to pay, which is a real
savings to all of us.”
Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible
donation can send a check designated “Camps Debt” in the memo line
to the Florida Conference Treasurer, P.O. Box 3767, Lakeland, FL
33802. The treasurer will provide a charitable gift receipt for each
donation. |
