I have been attending camp meeting from the time that I was just a few days old. Shortly after my parents brought me home from the hospital they made the two hour drive to the campus of Auburn Adventist Academy to the Washington camp meeting to show me off to my grandma and aunts. As a growing child, camp meeting experiences rank among my most memorable childhood recollections. Running around with new friends, playing games, attending exciting meetings led by enthusiastic pastors, volunteers and speakers who's one goal was to pass along through music, messages and activities, how much Jesus loved and valued me (and every child). During my childhood years camp meeting was a formative time. As a teen, becoming even more aware of my own responsibility to choose Jesus, the camp meeting experience was a solidifying time. The worship and messages were even more impactful as camp meeting circuit stars like Dick Duerksen (never dreamed I would one day serve on the same team with him) would creatively deliver Bible messages that captivated and convicted my curious adolescent mind and heart. As a young adult, camp meeting became a time when I began to serve as a volunteer. Then as a pastor, I had the precious opportunity to pour into the next generations in the same way that those before me had done for me—beginning in Primary, then Juniors, Youth and finally landing in Young Adults (I have to admit, the most fun years serving were in Primary, where 7-9 year olds are so enthusiastically wide-eyed and open-hearted!) In my past decade as a Conference leader, my passion for camp meeting has continued. I love seeing people of every age experience the joys of gathering for pronto pups and pulpit potlatch, fellowship and worship. It is a time to be regenerated by a fresh helping of God's amazing Good news that—it's all about Loving Jesus and others! May this year's camp meeting be such a time of refreshing for you.
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Pastor Dan Linrud