Partner Stories
Life-Changing Campout
by Tina Barham, Ministry Assistant, Camp Rivercrest
Fremont, Nebraska
Not far from Omaha, Nebraska, is a place called Camp Rivercrest—an Alliance camp and conference center where guests can retreat into the arms of Jesus without the busyness and chaos of the outside world. It is a place where campers can draw close to the Lord as they seek His will for their lives.
Christian camping is a tremendous tool that God is using today to reach people of all ages with the life-changing truths modeled in Jesus’ life. The Rivercrest goal is for personnel, volunteers, programs, and campers to be used by God to advance His Kingdom.
Camp Rivercrest has come a long way since it first opened in 1958 on 30 acres with only tent camping. Today, the camp offers cabins, lodges, hiking trails, and about 15 different adventure activities. Recently celebrating its fiftieth year, Camp Rivercrest has seen thousands of lives changed. This summer alone, more than 1,000 kids attended camp, and hundreds of them dedicated their lives to Christ.
Angel has a less-than-perfect life. Her father died when she was four months old. Having lived with her mother and her boyfriend since she was nine, Angel has suffered extreme verbal abused most of her life. As a result, she came to camp very confused about God. She could not understand why He had allowed her to experience so much pain. For the first time, Angel experienced God’s unconditional love as she interacted with Camp Rivercrest counselors and staff. She began asking questions and genuinely seeking truth. Angel came away from camp knowing God has an amazing plan for her life and that He loves and cares for her like no one else has.
Amanda, a hard-working student who grew up in a Christian home, had wrestled with where to attend college in preparation for missionary service. When Amanda announced this to her family, her mother told her she would never be good enough to become a missionary. Completely heartbroken, Amanda came to Camp Rivercrest with few expectations. At first, she was withdrawn and did not really want to be there. But as the week progressed, her heart changed, and she understood that no one is perfect and that God can use everyone, even her. She is now in college, studying the Bible and missions. She says she owes her decision to Camp Rivercrest and the loving staff there.
The impact of Camp Rivercrest does not stop in Nebraska. Part of our vision is the see the world changed by raising up Christian leaders. Not only do campers and staff travel from other parts of the country to join in the exciting things that God is doing but Rivercrest also has mission partnerships every summer. This summer the campers raised money to build a cabin for a camp in Mexico, with the goal of a missions trip next summer to build the cabin.
It will be exciting to see what God has in store for Camp Rivercrest during the next 50 years. Certainly, many lives will be changed and the world will be impacted by the campers and staff who met Jesus at Camp Rivercrest.
Would you like to invest in building the Kingdom? Invest now or learn more about ADF investment options. Contact us toll-free at 1-888-878-3060 or e-mail us at adf@adf-inc.com.