The fragrant aroma of pine
straw baking under a southern sun will always be associated with the
call of Christ in my own memory. My response to the call of Jesus
Christ to “follow me” did not begin at a church camp, but it was
confirmed and clarified there at a formative moment when I was making
significant decisions that would determine the future of my life. It
took place at Camp Wesley Pines, the retreat center owned by the
Mississippi Conference of The Methodist Church.
I did not want to go to a church camp, but I consented reluctantly
under pressure from my parents, friends and other adults. To my
surprise I enjoyed it. Most of all, I discovered other youth who were
living a joyful and committed Christian life. Under the influence of
Christians my own age and with the help of caring adults serving as
counselors, I made decisions at church camp to commit to Christ and to
the ordained ministry.
My experience at Camp Wesley Pines is not unlike the experience of
thousands of persons who have attended camps and retreats at the
Warren W. Willis Youth Camp and the Life Enrichment Center in Leesburg
or at the two other camps in the Jacksonville and Ft. Myers districts.
Support of these camp and retreat facilities and programs is one of
the best investments that we United Methodists in Florida can make in
the cause of Christ.
One of the items on the agenda of the Conference Table will be the
evaluation of the operations of the camps and retreat centers of the
Florida Conference. What is our vision for the long-term use and
development of all of our facilities? What should be the role of the
two facilities in Jacksonville and Ft. Myers in relationship to the
facilities in Leesburg? What changes need to be made in policies so
that the facilities and programs do not have to require financial
support from the apportionments to local churches?
Many persons have contributed much over the years so that the
Florida Conference could have the facilities and programs we have
today. As a result, many lives have been transformed at these
beautiful places. We need to explore what we need to do in the future
so that we can provide camps and retreats of the highest quality to
serve the mission of the church in the 20th century.
