Camps & Conferences A Vacation with a Purpose By Tom Shoger, Retired ARP Minister
groups to feed us spiritually. During the summers the OCF also had week-long teaching sessions at their two conference centers; one in Spring Canyon, Colorado, and the other in Manns Choice, Pennsylvania. OCF correctly promoted those weeks as a “Vacation with a Purpose!” That was because they were not simply a vacation time, a getaway from the normal routine of life to have some fun. While attendees were provided the venues for fun, they were also offered much more. OCF provided Bible teaching in the mornings and evenings and left the afternoons free for whatever activities each person or family chose to do. Having a week of Bible teaching, worship, prayer, and good fellowship, along with “vaca- tion” type of activities, provided a refresh for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Why do I tell you this? Because this is very similar to what the ARP denomination makes available each summer in its Family Bible Conference. As former members of the committee that plans the conference, we can assure you that the committee works diligently to provide solid biblical teaching and also fun activities for the entire family. Like the OCF conferences, the Family Bible Conference provides many options and leaves it up to each person/family the decisions as to what to participate in each day. Those options include excellent teaching and care for your children whether in nursery, children’s, or youth programs.
W The main morning sessions this year will be focused on Lessons from the Upper Room Discourse of Jesus in John 13-17.
There will also be break-out sessions on various topics that will be offered in the mornings and afternoons. The evenings will close with worship... and maybe a trip to the Nibble Nook. Since the Family Bible Conference is held at the ARP conference center, Bonclarken, there are many fun activities to participate in including the zip line, swimming pools, and lake activities like kayaking, aqua bikes, and paddle boats. Plus the surrounding area has many options including exploring/hiking in the beautiful North Carolina mountains. There will be much more information available in the coming weeks, but for now, instead of simply planning a vaca- tion this summer, why not have a Vacation with a Purpose? Plan to be blessed this summer at the Family Bible Confer- ence, July 29 - August 1, 2024.
hen I was on active duty in the Marine Corps, a big part of our spiritual growth, both for my wife Sue and me, at each military installation. The Lord used the teaching, prayers, and fellowship of those weekly Bible Study
March/April 2024
11
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
