For the seventh year in a row, the West Salem Mission (WSM) in northern Ohio hosted a summer camp-meeting. Beginning last Thursday night, this Amish/Anabaptist camp-meeting kicked off, ending at noon on Sunday.

The turnout this year was the largest ever, by a big margin. Last year for instance, there were about 450 people who signed up. This year there were 850 +.

The weather was pleasant, not real hot like 2019—2021. The main speakers were Pavel Goia and Ron Kelly. Author Dave Fiedler from Canada was supposed to be a speaker, but Canada forces every traveler in and out of the country to pass a Covid test. David’s test came up positive even though he had very little symptoms, and they would not let him board a plane. Filling the gap for the absent Fiedler was Steven Gamallo. Lee Wellard talked abut health and herbal remedies.

Pavel Goia kept the attention of the crowd with stories of God’s deliverance and personal lessons gleaned from ministering to people. I learned many things from him, not the least of which is that he talks to his tomatoes—before sharing them with neighbors as a way to witness… His stories about prayer and surrender were fascinating.

Ron Kelly (Pastor of the Village Church in Berrien Springs) gave three tremendous presentations. Ron talked about the Holy Spirit and loving people, whether we agree with them or not. They were very practical messages, and many people said they wish he would have spoken more.

Highlights

One of the lighthearted highlights was when Ron Kelly knocked on the pulpit, simulating knocking on a door to tell someone about Jesus. As he did, a dog immediately barked (for some reason, there was one in the tent). It provided a lighthearted addition to the sermon illustration.
On Sabbath, we fed 745 people. The meals were free, hospitality being an Anabaptist principle. There was an opportunity for offering later, if people wanted to do so. They were pretty generous.
The tent was the largest one ever rented. It seated 650 people inside the tent. It was completely full on Sabbath; and there were others outside who could not make it inside.
There were visitors from 22 states, plus Canada.
The farmer who owns the field north of the Mission allowed people to park in his field, after harvesting a hay cutting off of it. That was nice of him. About 120 cars parked there on Sabbath.
It rained on Sabbath evening, a pretty good rain. Some of the people who parked in the north field needed some help from the Mission’s New Holland skidsteer loader to exit the field. No harm done, other than some mud on some shoes and lower pants.
Some of the visitors included a professor from Andrews Seminary, numerous pastors, a couple GC employees, the Pastor of Advent Hope in Columbus, Ohio, and Consolation Ministries, Chris Holland from Hope Channel, and a couple Amazing Facts affiliates.
And what made the camp-meeting special were the 800+ attendees who came seeking truth, peace and old-fashioned Christian joy.
There was a backpack paramotor who flew over the campgrounds on Friday evening. He must have had a large bag of candy with him, and it accidentally spilled just as he flew over 100 children. It was great fun.
There was a remarkable spirit at the camp-meeting this year. Many people commented on it. The Lord was here.