Since the camp meeting, one church member relayed to Rivas that she and her husband experienced a powerful blessing. “My life is usually work, work, work and [during the camp meeting] I totally forgot about my job.”
One hundred and ten church members, including children, youth and young adults with their families, congregated under the theme of “En su Presencia” (In His Presence) to be inspired by the word of God, in the voice of Lake Region Conference’s vice president for multilingual ministries, Eddie Allen.
“It was moving to see members pause and just immerse themselves in God,” said Juan Rivas, pastor of the Three Angels and Colby churches.
In addition to the spiritual enrichment, it was a time for families to bond as they participated in social activities such as kayaking, tubing and swimming in the river. The event was highlighted by an ordination service for elders, deacons and deaconesses, a communion service, and Hispanic food from Honduras, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Depending on which part of Wisconsin you travel from, a trip to Cassopolis, Michigan, where the annual Lake Region Hispanic camp meeting is held can take upwards of six hours to navigate—one way. The long distance would require taking a day off from work just to travel. “It’s not possible for most people to leave work early on a Friday,” said Rivas.
Over time, the distance has created a lack of connection to the conference and other Hispanic members across the Lake Region. “Some people don’t know what conference they’re in and sometimes think they’re a part of Wisconsin Conference,” he noted.
Camp meetings are a time where deep connections are forged, and it became more and more apparent there was a need to host a northern convocation. “We wanted to wake up our church members to keep their minds on heavenly things,” Rivas said. “We are so focused on earthly things. People are working and at times God’s business is put aside.”
Since the camp meeting, one church member relayed to Rivas that she and her husband experienced a powerful blessing. “My life is usually work, work, work and [during the camp meeting] I totally forgot about my job.”
Plans are underway for meeting again from July 26 to 28 in 2024. Prayers are requested for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the northern area of the Hispanic District in Wisconsin.
Submitted by the Northern Hispanic District Area of the Lake Region Conference.
