NORTHEAST REGION

After years of attending summer camp at Camp Peniel, I returned as a counselor. Then I served as a member of the Board, and finally as a director for junior camp (ages 10-13). Because I know the reason I graduated high school with a heart for God was due to my experiences at camp, I want other kids to have that same opportunity, too. As a Camp Board, we want kids to come to Camp Peniel and be changed forever. However, we’re seeing a trend continuing in our region that was true even when I was a camper. As soon as kids graduate from junior camp, most of them stop attending. While our junior camp is well-attended, attendance falls off sharply during senior week. Potential campers pick sports, jobs, or vacations over being at camp, or simply just lose interest in their faith once they get to high school. We want to change that trend and have begun organizing weekend retreats for students in 6th- 12th grade in hopes of keeping that age group connected and engaged. For our youth retreat weekend at the end of September, we brought in a worship pastor from Faith Church in Charleston, South Carolina named Timothy Sheldon. He preached on forming a true relationship with God. He taught them different ways to pray and spend time with the Lord. He also spoke about sharing their faith with their friends and family and introduced them to the Holy Spirit through using their spiritual gifts. In our Saturday evening session on the Holy Spirit, we had scheduled an hour-long message. Afterward, the kids were all looking forward to playing Glowstick Capture the Flag and having a campfire when it was over. That never happened. The Spirit of God was moving, and they stayed in the chapel for almost three hours. Kids were receiving prayer from leaders, hearing from God themselves, and praying for each other. Even though all these students had attended camp before, I have truly never seen any of them respond to God in such a powerful way. The desire of our hearts is for more students to experience evenings like that. As we survey the landscape of Somerset County and beyond, we recognize that our ministry is not limited to the Northeast Region of The Brethren Church. There are churches all around filled with teenagers who need the same things our youth need. We invite everyone in the Brethren Church to be a part of what we are doing at Camp Peniel. We need parents, pastors, and youth leaders to encourage their kids to attend upcoming camp events. We’ll be inviting more speakers from around the country, and planning many fun activities and events! Stay connected to the exciting things happening at Camp Peniel on Facebook (facebook.com/pacamppeniel), Instagram (@Camp_Peniel_Meyersdale), or reach out to me at rachelmiller5949@gmail.com. Rachel Mitchell Camp Peniel Board of Directors

Earlier this month, the Northeast Region came together again for “The Gathering,” the annual North East regional gathering event at Camp Peniel. This year's event was inspiring as more and more people are drawn to the weekend's fun and fellowship. Everything kicked off on Friday with a unique leadership session focusing on discipleship and the need for mentoring and one-on-one development. Hollis Haff, former Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates chaplain, led the training with passion and poise. Hollis is part of the Bonhoeffer Project, an organization dedicated to redeveloping deep discipleship in the church. You can read more about them at www.thebonhoefferproject.com. As participants began to arrive, laughter and shouts of greeting rang throughout the valley. The evening meal was delightful, with many options for everyone gathered and more dessert than you can imagine. The adage is still true - “Where two or more Brethren are gathered, there will be God and food.”  A Bluegrass band provided worship Friday evening with a mix of songs ranging from old hymns to modern choruses. Pastor Tom Sprowls made several introductions of people and organizations present at this year's event, prayed, and then introduced Hollis Haff as the evening speaker. Hollis hammered home the critical need for people to be in communion with one another, developing accountability and deep relationships. We cannot expect others to do what we are unwilling to do. Afterward, participants gathered for more conversations, games, and late-night snacks even as nature unleashed a massive rainstorm. Sunday morning dawned bright and clear, if not a bit wet. As breakfast was served, cars began arriving as several churches in the area chose to join The Gathering for Sunday worship. Service started with high-energy praise from the Pleasant View Brethren Church’s worship team, including time for personal testimonies and breakout for prayer. The speaker for the day was Pastor Ricky Bolden, who gave an incredible sermon and testimony focusing again on discipleship. From his sermon, participants gleaned three significant points. You cannot disciple someone else without discipling yourself first—a reference to being in the bible and in prayer often. A dynamic disciple understands the power and presence of Jesus. A dynamic disciple understands and attests to the transformational teachings of truth. The Gathering occurs each year in August at Camp Peniel. It is open to churches and individuals throughout the Northeast Region and others looking for fellowship and inspiration for their daily walk with the Lord. Contact Pastor Tom Sprowls at Berlin Brethren Church for more information about the Gathering in 2024, which is already in the planning stages. They would love to have you join them! Scott Soden Global Partners Coordinator Donor Care Lead