Remembering God’s faithfulness was the highlight of the Lakeland Park Christian Camp 60th celebration held over October 5-6.
The event was held to commemorate 60 years since the first trust was formed and the first Rally camps were held at the campsite in Kelvin Heights, Queenstown—in what would now be considered quite primitive conditions.
The celebration included a function and meal on the Saturday night and a celebration church service on Sunday morning, followed by an open afternoon for people from the community to visit and look around recent developments and upgrades; concluded by scones and cream.
It was a fantastic weekend with about 70 people attending, including past managers, trust members, camp cooks and volunteers. Recently, the campsite has had a programme of maintenance alongside the completion of a major new outside hub area. The comments from people who hadn’t visited for a long time were very positive to see the site looking so good.
Current managers Ross and Lynette Weir presented the camp in pristine condition, highlighted by a beautiful Queenstown day on the Sunday, and everyone agreed that Lakeland Park Christian Camp must be one of the most beautiful campsites in New Zealand.
Lakeland Park Trust Chairman Murray Gilchrist says a personal highlight was hearing from speakers on the Saturday evening as they shared their memories of Lakeland Park:
“Phrases like ‘awesome vision’, ‘God is great’, and ‘God is faithful’ were common. Graham and Wanda Ashby were present, and Graham was the evening’s guest speaker, he challenged us about the next 60 years—that if we pray and have vision like the founders did, so much more can be achieved for God’s glory."
Hearing these stories and words of encouragement cemented the unity the current trust board have to continue on the original casting vision, says Murray: “To achieve those high goals we need to keep a strong relationship with the founding churches in the lower South Island. So much history, coordination, fellowship, and lives changed with the gospel has stemmed from these groups taking full advantage of this facility.”
Murray Gilchrist finished the evening by thanking everyone who attended and all who contributed to the last 60 years of Lakeland Park, highlighting the countless unknown transactions of grace and change in people’s lives for God’s eternal glory. For God’s love is great and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever (Psalm 117).
For more info on Lakeland Park Christian Camp: www.lakelandpark.co.nz
We've included a selection of photos from the event in the gallery below. Congratulations to the Lakeland Park Christian Camp team, we're praising God for all he has done in and through you.
