ARLINGTON, SD--When United Methodists want to make disciples of Jesus Christ, they will roll up their sleeves, especially if it gets messy. Arlington (SD) UMC hosted a community fundraiser on March 6th, and the freewill offering goal of $500 for camping scholarships included a messy but tasty incentive. Pastor Teresa Whetsel offered to take a pie in the face if the goal of $500 was reached.

Pastor Whetsel would do anything to send kids to camp. She said, “I know first hand the way that you meet God at camp. I first went to Leadership Training Camp (LTC). It was there I first lived the experience and received my calling at that time. Camping has been a big part of my faith experience, so it’s a big part of my faith and ministry to make sure we send every kid who wants to go- and that’s a lot of kids. Last year alone we sent 18!”

With that kind of motivation, it was no surprise when the Arlington UMC fundraiser hit the goal. Second grader Brice Heflin, son of Lake Poinsett Camp's Christy and James Heflin, won the drawing to throw the pie after church, and even the local paper showed up after church on Sunday for the pie-in-the-face.

By the photos on Facebook, it is difficult totell if Brice or Teresa enjoyed it more.

Pastor Teresa said, “Our camp scholarship program is not restricted. If any kid in the community wants to go, we sponsor all of them at 50%.”

Sending a typical family of three kids could cost around $900. So a camp scholarship program is a blessing to kids, to their families and to the donors. In fact, spreading God’s love to kids, especially from outside the church, is a blessing that builds young lives, builds local churches, and ultimately His kingdom.

The journey of sending kids to camp is filled with more fun and joy than you can imagine. Photo: Arlington UMC Facebook

HIGHMORE/HARROLD/BLUNT, SD--When Pastor Peggy Stempson, Pierre First UMC, took the pulpits at the Highmore/Harrold/Blunt parish on Camp Sunday, March 13, her message to the congregations was clear. Camping enables the Holy Spirit to break into our lives and opens doors to a new future. Stempson told a story of her love of camp, a place where she received her calling to ministry.

After the moving sermon and a video from one of last summer’s camps, Pastor Kori Lehrkamp invited all those who had been to camp to come forward and join in singing “Pass it On” (with a thank you to Pastor Katie Rowen for the idea). During verse two, Lehrkamp whispered to the kids to all go and bring one person to the front, as if they’re bringing one new person to camp. The response was overwhelming.

“By the end of the second verse in Highmore,” Pastor Lehrkamp said, “the entire congregation was up in front and singing "Pass it On". There weren’t many dry eyes in the place, least of all mine and Pastor Peggy’s!”

The Highmore/Harrold/Blunt parish is experiencing an ongoing God-moment. Last year they sent a record-breaking number of youth to camps. Through a miraculous effort,  the parish provided over 30 FULL camp scholarships (after each youth’s $30 deposit) to all the kids who wanted to go to camp from inside and outside their churches. (See related story)

“We’re passing on the experience, the love of God and neighbor, our faith and discipleship,” said Pastor Lehrkamp. “We also did Camp Sunday at our Wed. WOW service, and encouraged kids to invite someone to go to camp this summer.”

It is  no surprise that this kind of dedication and excitement about camp is yielding big results. “We’re expecting another record-breaking turnout this year,” added Pastor Lehrkamp. “We’ll continue to make a difference for as many as we can, for as long as we can, however God can use us.”

ROCKERVILLE, SD     While every church in our conference is being lifted up to send kids to camp this summer, one of our Dakotas Conference camps is also sending, people in the right direction. Storm Mountain Center, near Rockerville in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is increasingly busy sending people away, but never campers.

A Google Maps glitch is sending some of the millions of tourists looking for Mount Rushmore National Memorial to the very scenic, but secluded Dakotas Conference camp which lies at the end of a winding, gravel road at the foot of Storm Mountain. Photo: Sean Ryan, Rapid City Journal

“Since we posted this anomaly on Facebook, it’s become a bit of a sensation,” said Scott Jensen, Director Storm Mountain Center. “The local paper, local television station,  a Fargo radio station and a Charlotte, North Caroloina newspaper have run this quirky story of tourists being led to Storm Mountain Center. Maybe God is using Google Maps to bring them down to Storm Mountain--from the angry person to those who said it was a beautiful drive. Some people have seen deer, some have gotten out and walked around. It’s wonderful when God and Google lead people to our ministry.”

A sign has been posted to redirect the Mt. Rushmore tourists, and staff is hoping it works before the tourist and 2016 Dakotas Camping seasons both begin.

Photo: Arlington UMC facebook; Pastor Teresa Whetsel and Brice Heflin before the "moment of impact."