Beautiful weather, friendly faces, spiritual encouragement, and Christian fellowship marked Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Camp Meeting, held September 11–13 at Camp Sagola in Crystal Falls.
Each year, camp meeting provides an opportunity for members from across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and beyond to come together for worship, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. This year’s theme, “With a Loud Voice,” focused attention the character of God and the message He has entrusted to His people.
The weekend began Friday evening with worship and a message from pastor Mark Howard, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries director for the Michigan Conference. Howard continued as the featured speaker throughout Sabbath, presenting messages during the morning worship service and Sabbath evening meeting.
Sabbath began early with a morning devotional at the lodge, followed by breakfast and Sabbath School. The worship service brought everyone together for singing, prayer, special music, and a message from God’s Word. Throughout the weekend, Michigan Conference leaders and Upper Peninsula pastors participated in the programs.
Camp meeting also provided an opportunity for members throughout the Upper Peninsula to become better acquainted with Pastor Miles Kim, who began serving the Marquette and Munising churches earlier this year. Kim was introduced during the weekend and welcomed to the ministry team serving the Upper Peninsula.
The gathering also included a significant announcement from Pastor Dick Bullock, who shared that he will be retiring after many years of pastoral ministry in the Michigan Conference. Bullock participated throughout the weekend, including leading song services for the main meetings. We congratulate Pastor Bullock on his retirement and thank him for his many years of faithful service to the Lord’s work in Michigan.
Many meaningful moments also happened outside the scheduled meetings.
With pleasant September weather throughout the weekend, attendees had plenty of opportunity to enjoy the Camp Sagola grounds, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones. Conversations continued over meals and between meetings as members from different churches and communities enjoyed the opportunity simply to be together. For many, that fellowship is one of the things that makes Upper Peninsula Camp Meeting special.
The weekend also included programming for children and youth, giving families an opportunity to experience camp meeting together. Primary through youth divisions met Friday evening, during Sabbath School, and Sabbath evening, while a Beginners division was offered during Sabbath School.
Sabbath afternoon provided another opportunity to gather and hear testimony before attendees shared supper and returned for the evening meeting. The congregation closed Sabbath singing the familiar hymn “It Is Well With My Soul,” bringing a full day of worship and fellowship to a fitting conclusion.
While the Upper Peninsula Camp Meeting is smaller than the Michigan Conference’s summer camp meeting at Cedar Lake, its setting and close fellowship give the gathering a character all its own. There is something special about God’s people coming together from communities spread across the U.P., setting aside the normal routines of life, and spending a weekend worshiping, visiting, eating, and encouraging one another.
As another Upper Peninsula Camp Meeting ends, we are grateful for everyone who helped make the weekend possible and for each person who came to Camp Sagola to be part of it.
The meetings may be over, but the theme remains. God has given His church a message of hope to share—”with a loud voice.”
Communication Team with special thanks to Mark Johnson for helping with photography
