Camp Walter Johnson Celebrates 50 Years
With a half-century of memories and spiritual victories, Camp Walter Johnson (CWJ) drew former campers, staff, and divisional leaders together for a Labor Day weekend celebration in the North & South Carolina (NSC) Division.
Divisional Sergeant Major Ed Laity got the party started by welcoming the capacity crowd and introduced a roll call of flags brought forward by each corps as delegates stood and cheered wildly.
Presenting her camp testimony, Abbie Aguilar explained to those present she attended her first year of camp as a Sunbeam, later joining the staff at age 15. She has been devoted to this special ministry every summer since.
“You don’t work at camp for the money but for the chance to pour back into children and adults what was shared with you,” Abbie said. She even met her future husband while on camp staff, but that was a bonus!
Commissioner Kelly Igleheart, territorial commander, then made a surprise announcement, presenting the Others Award to David Appleby of the Columbia, South Carolina Corps, a longtime mentor to hundreds of converts to Christ.
The territorial commander shared about David’s extraordinary mentorship of others, providing transportation to corps meetings, and even driving them to the Trade department in Atlanta to get their own Salvation Army uniforms.
Commissioner Donna Igleheart, territorial president of women’s ministries, drew her sermon from Numbers 13, comparing the positive vision of Caleb and Joshua who returned from spying on the challenging but fruitful conditions in the land which God promised to the Israelites. Their report was the opposite of the lack of faith evident in the other ten spies.
“Let’s go!” Commissioner Donna pleaded, citing the insights the two spies discovered: Have eyes to see the goodness of God. Be courageous in the face of challenges. Don’t wait for history to be written; start today. And trust in God’s faithfulness in every circumstance.
One of the most poignant moments came Saturday morning when Commissioner John Busby explained how Walter Johnson came to donate 800 acres of prime timberland to The Salvation Army. As a captain and NSC divisional youth secretary in the early 1970s, he shared from a unique perspective the obstacles and miracles that resulted in CWJ opening in the summer of 1974.
Another sacred period came with the inauguration of the “Carolinas Heroes of the Faith,” a sort of hall of fame for Salvationists who have gone above and beyond in their service to others for the Lord. The first honored inductees are: Major Cecil Brown, Brigadier James Henry, Bobby and Mary Sue Baker, Major Al Smith, and Major John White.
Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Ronnie Raymer then presented “Where Are We Going?” a comprehensive plan for CWJ that will prepare this holy place for another half century.
Saturday afternoon’s venues shifted to the pool, gym, and the ball field—the latter being the site for a Carolina Carnival. Eight corps musical groups provided outdoor entertainment, performing “Sights and Sounds of the Carolinas.”
Dinner that evening was “A Taste of Carolinas”— ten canteens and cooking stations from corps around the division each featuring a local dish or delicacy.
Major Don Hostetler gave a challenge to conclude Saturday night’s “Carolina Music & Arts Festival”—a musical convocation of talent giving total praise to God. The major outlined the three movements of “To the Chief Musician,” which the divisional band performed following his message.
“Like David’s command in Psalm 51, this camp’s anniversary is an invitation to focus our attention on the Almighty,” Major Don explained. “This is a ‘Call to Worship,’ to thank God for the thousands who have found Him here. ‘The Chief Musician’ is God Himself!”
The territorial commander’s Sunday sermon was a continuation from Commissioner Donna’s message from Friday night. Commissioner Kelly Igleheart spoke with the title, “As for Me and My House, We Will ________.”
“I intentionally leave that title blank because all of you have a decision to make,” Commissioner Kelly said. He went on to proclaim: God has always been faithful; God has always met His people in special places (like CWJ); and God has always called us closer to Him.
“This weekend, God brought us here for a walk down a 50-year memory lane. But the question for us this morning is: what will your commitment be from here on out?”
Joshua doubted the people’s intent to serve God simply because of the level of their commitment in the past. “So, just how serious are you? Who are you going to serve? Are you going to be resolute about it this time? Because our God requires a full surrender.”
Commissioner Kelly brought the invitation to come forward by saying, “I can’t think of a better birthday—the 50th anniversary of this camp—to make that full surrender to the Lord!”
The Holy Spirit’s presence was palpable, scores of the division’s young people leading the way forward through their solemn declarations to serve God.
Soon, entire corps families gathered throughout the chapel to make a similar promise: “As for us and our corps, we will serve the Lord!”
