by Cindy Truesdale
GRAND BLANC, MI – Michigan Campers on Mission (MI-COM) celebrates our 1st Anniversary. Amid Covid, we persevered July 31, 2020 at Bambi Lake Baptist Camp, Michigan Campers On Mission became chartered as a National COM Chapter.
National COM Coordinators, Jerry and Renee McGovern, came from Florida to administer the oaths of commitment. Don and Jan Kragness, COM Region 4 Representatives, came from Illinois to support and uplift us. Pastor Tim Patterson, Baptist State Convention of Michigan’s Executive Treasurer, offered a charge to the 28 charter members. We were busy before we were chartered, and continue to look for mission opportunities.
We began this chapter knowing that Bambi Lake Baptist Camp is our “core” center to work and to support their efforts. Little did we realize then that we would be able to work with inner-city churches on their housing projects, too. Our most recent opportunity was for the month of July 2021. We worked with the Jachin Baptist Church ABC Program in Flint.
This amazing program is open to boys and girls ages 7-17. It teaches the youth skilled trades (electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cooking, sewing, character) and life skills. The older youth worked on a house that Jachin purchased from the land bank. They ripped off siding and resided the home, installed windows, flooring, and much more. The younger children built lamps, benches, flower boxes, shelves, and other fun projects. Some young ladies learned to sew and made curtains for the home.
The home will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to support the program next year. Campers on Mission appreciate Pastor Derrick and Christine Watkins for giving us the opportunity to work with this project. MI COM plans to make it an annual project because of the immense value and impact ABC makes on the local youth in Flint.
Would you like to be a member of MI Campers on Mission? There are no membership fees. To join MI COM, go to our website: www.michigancampersonmission.org and click on Membership, and fill ill in the blanks. Or call Rick and Cindy at (810) 869-4716. We’d love to tell you more!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rick and Cindy Truesdail have been married for 29 years. Together they have 5 children and 14 grandchildren. During their early years together, they worked as leaders of a Single Adult Ministry. Rick is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a licensed SBC minister. He served as Associate Pastor with a Spanish-speaking church in Flint for 10 years and Cindy served as the Pastoral Assistant. They are active members at Heritage Baptist Church, Grand Blanc, and Presidents of Campers on Mission in their retirement.
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