Property Being Purchased for a Youth Camp — Will Your Church Help?

Has a Youth Camp Played any Important Part in Your Spiritual Life?

It certainly has in mine. Having returned from WWII in 1946, our home church in Colorado had just purchased a property to be developed for a youth camp. Being a carpenter, I was able to help erect the temporary buildings for the first camp, and also worked on all the original buildings in the permanent campsite. Later, home from my first year in Bible School, I again spent the summer on these buildings, and in August of 1947, before returnting for our second year, Marie and I were married in front of the huge fireplace. We both helped Harvey H. Springer build this in the dining hall at Silver State Youth Camp. Every hour invested in that camp has paid off in Christian workers serving God at home and on the Mission fields of the world.

Argentina has been similiarly blessed with a youth camp in the Buenos Aires area that has been operating for more than 30 years, and most all the national preachers and workers in our churches have made life-changing decisions in this youth camp. In 1982, we moved 180 miles north to start a church in Rosario, and have continued to take our youth to that camp even though it is a four hour drive. Transportation costs have kept many from participating. Also, there are 135 in camp this week, and we are having to turn down requests for other weeks as there just isnīt room. We need another camp close by for the four organized churches in our area. The new facilities can be used for many other activities in addition to the month of camps each year. Our churches are still small, and we can not handle the cost of purchase, though everyone is willing to help us develop and maintain the camp.

Rev. Steven Thornton and I have taken the responsibility to secure this property. We believe the Lord has led us to this one. The economic situation being as serious as it is, we have signed a purchase agreement to buy it for one third of the selling price a year ago. We must have the seven thousand dollar ($7,000.) purchase price by the end of March or the first weeks of April when the legal papers are ready. Each of us will need to raise half of this amount. I am willing to use my retirement fund to help reach my part if I must. Even so, I really do feel I should replace this as soon as possible.

Here is a suggestion. If you believe in the value of youth camps for our church youth, perhaps you could help by sending an additional monthīs support. Of course, some of our supporting churches may not be able to do this, but we are trusting that others will send a larger amount. I believe it can be a wise investment in the future of fundamental Baptist Churches and youth in Argentina.

If you will help us, please mark the special offering YOUTH CAMP. You will receive a receipt, and pictures as we begin to develop the property. We hope to have our first camp there in just one year.

Please feel free to call or write with any questions you may have about this project.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Jim & Marie Strickland,
in our 50th year of missionary ministry