Springdale Reunion T
By Joanna Simonton “It Was at Springdale Where I Came to Know the Lord.”
hat phrase was repeated often on Saturday afternoon, September 14, 2019; a day that will not soon be forgotten. A Springdale Lakes Camp Reunion was held at the New Albany ARP Church in New Albany, Mississippi. 85 former staff, counselors, campers, family and friends turned out for an afternoon of fellowship in Christ and reminiscing about their time spent at Spring- Joyce, and Linda and Bill Everett, also a former camp director and retired pastor at New Albany. A slide show presentation compiled by Kyle and Katie Brent was enjoyed by all as well as camp memorabilia and refreshments prepared by Cindy Ballard that included “dragon juice”, donuts, camp store goodies, and ‘banana biggie’ pudding. Reunion attendees shared fond memories of their time at camp including how much they en- joyed worship time, guest speakers, music, quiet time, group activities, cabin devotions, archery, camp canoes found its way back from Brighton, TN to New Albany for the occasion, and made for a perfect backdrop for the group photo. Springdale Lakes Camp was home to youth conferences and summer church camps from 1966
– 1983. Camp Directors through the years were Gary Letchworth 1966-1975, Marion Phagan 1976, Donnie Bowker, and Jac A. Coad 1983.
Gary Letchworth spoke on discipleship and being an instrument for the Lord. He spoke about
and his wife Joyce graciously donated a beautiful print of an original painting she had done of the Springdale Dining Hall and grounds to be given away at the reunion. Mrs. Ellis was the proud recipient, and daughter Martha Jane Ellis has it displayed in her home. Bill Everett, Retired Pastor of New Albany, provided an opening prayer and shared what he
had reported one year as record for the Minutes of Presbytery regarding Springdale Lakes Camp. “With regard to spiritual results, no attempt was made to count numbers but this we do know; God’s Word was proclaimed and the claims of Christ presented. The seed was planted and was watered with the prayers of many. We trust in our sovereign Lord to accomplish His perfect will in this, knowing His Word never returns void.” He also shared what Jac A. Coad had submitted in his report to Presbytery, “Springdale Lakes Camp continues to serve as a great spiritual retreat. The fruit of this year includes a number of youth that committed their lives to Christ. It was an atmosphere of Christian love and service conducive to spiritual growth for all. Several counselors are prayerfully considering fulltime work for the Lord.” Kyle Brent, Pastor at New Albany ARP prayed for the activities of the day and welcomed the reunion attendees and spoke about the legacy of Springdale and the fruit it continues to produce, evidenced by the large group of attendees. Ste- phen Ewing, New Albany ARP Youth Director, and MVP Camp Director also spoke of the reunion attendees being a legacy to the continued work at MVP Camp, and gave an encouraging update of growth is expected.
Springdale Lakes was truly a special place and holds so many precious memories. More impor-
tantly, it was the place that many came to know the Lord and began a personal relationship with Him; myself included. I could not wait to get to camp every summer! I can still hear gravel under the car tires as we turned off the highway onto the dusty road that led to camp, and the bell ringing. and cheers of campers running the Banana Biggie. Can you hear it? If you were unable to attend the reunion, please go to the Springdale Lakes Camp Facebook page and see more pictures, articles, etc. We would love to hear your stories of camp.
Joanna Simonton is a member of Salem ARP Church, Atoka, TN. Mississippi Val- ley Presbytery continues to support MVP Camp which is now held at Camp of the Rising Son at French Camp, Mississippi.
November/December 2019 25
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