September 2005
NOT UNTO US, O LORD, BUT TO YOUR NAME BE THE GLORY!
Psalm 115:1
50 years ago: Mrs. Jewel Ford, the founder of Bible Witness Mission and Camp, said, “Pray for a family with children (to reach kids for Jesus) to come to the camp for a permanent Biblical ministry.” In answer to that prayer, the Marshall Williams family arrived at the Bible Witness Camp September 22, 1955. (Mrs. Ford went to be with the Lord the next day.) As our furniture and things were being unloaded, 5 neighborhood kids appeared. Seeing Judy, David, Becky and Daniel, they asked, “Are you going to let your kids go to school with us?” “Yes, we are.” “Good! We’ll be over in the morning to show them where to catch the bus.” (At that time there were four small schools in different areas of the township.) Thus began the fulfillment of Mrs. Ford’s prophecy: “Kids will reach kids.” Still ringing in our ears, from concerned family and friends, was “If you want to throw your lives away, OK, but think of your kids. They will suffer.” We thought of our kids, and so did the Lord. He wanted them in Pembroke. In fact, He wanted two more: twins—Mary and Mark were born February 13, 1957. God also thought of hundreds of kids in Pembroke who needed a Savior! Our kids integrated the school system and were graciously received not only by the children, but also by excellent teachers and administration officials. Hundreds of kids have attended the camp’s Bible clubs in the past 50 years. Thank the Lord with us for the good soil upon which the seed of the Word has fallen—believing hearts, who understand it, and are producing crops of hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. They are serving the Lord somewhere in all four directions in the USA as well as here at camp.
LIVING BY FAITH
“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
We arrived at the camp with $200 and a promise of $15 a month from friends. As the ministry grew, so did the Lord’s supply, as He touched many hearts “who first gave themselves unto the Lord, and then unto us by the will of God.” (2 Corinthians 8:5) All of our six children received their tuitions for College/Bible School paid by different donors.
One of God’s greatest supplies in the shortest time was in November 1997. Marshall had two heart attacks, one at home and one at the hospital. A triple by-pass and valve surgery were needed (which prolonged his life five years.) I was asked the name of our insurance. “We have none, but the Lord will pay the bills.” Of course the answer was foolishness to them, so they said the operation couldn’t be done without a down payment of several thousands. A few days later I was called into the hospital’s business office and told, “All the hospital and doctor bills are paid; the operation will go on.”
The Lord uses many parts of His body, of which He is the Head. We always thank the Lord for every one He raises up to join us in the fellowship of the Gospel. We plant, many pray, many give, many come and volunteer their services in building, driving, teaching, and many other ways. That is how the Lord has accomplished His wonders at BWC these 50 years. His reason behind it all? That the Gospel might reach the unreached and souls will be saved for eternity. “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow. But the man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers.” (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)
“Behold, I am coming soon!
My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
Revelation 22:12
“HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED.” (Hebrews 10:23)
Lizetta Williams
THE DIRECTOR'S CORNER
In a few weeks our after-school programs (Kindergarten through High School) will be starting up again for the school year. We’re hoping most of the kids will want to return and continue their discovery of God’s truth and also that new ones will join us. We sometimes worry about behavior issues, but we can’t let that deter staff and volunteers from being channels of God’s love to the students. With so much uncertainty, instability, and fear around us, we all need the foundation and peace that God alone gives. In this community, the Camp, along with other churches, has been a lighthouse for many years. Through clubs, camps, church, distributions, etc., BWC has made God’s Way available to many children and families and a reputation has been established. Today, how can we make the most of this history and heritage, and at the same time make the changes and additions to be most effective and accountable? There’s more that can be done and we’ve been getting some hints of opportunities that God may have for us. Pray with us for wisdom, unity, and a close walk with God.
PRAISE GOD WITH US FOR HIS CREATIVITY IN SUPPLYING FOR OUR SUMMER CAMPS. FOR EXAMPLE:
- Our local school district helped out with two meals a day as part of its summer food service to the community.
- Kids gave generously through VBS offerings from churches in Saint Anne and Momence and as far away as Georgia. (This church found us on the website.)
- Friends donated milk, meat, desserts, snacks, and cereal.
- Members of a stargazing club came with powerful telescopes so campers could see God’s majesty in the heavens.
- Many prayed for us as children studied the Bible and heard the good news. About a dozen prayed to accept Christ as Savior or needed assurance of salvation!
PLEASE PRAY WITH US AS THE FALL SCHEDULE APPROACHES:
- That we would be prepared spiritually, physically and emotionally for our after school program.
- That the children and teens who attend will decide to follow God and obey His word in their daily living.
5-DAY CLUBS TOUCH NEW FAMILIES
Child Evangelism Fellowship of Kankakee Valley provided us with four of its excellent summer missionaries who taught two clubs in Pembroke during the first week of August.
God answered prayer in many ways during the week. We asked Him to open up new contacts and new locations where we could hold the clubs. He did just that, and we are grateful to the families who made their yards available. We asked Him to hold off rain one day, and He did until club was finished. Children from at least three families came who have never attended BWC before. Five children from the clubs prayed to accept Christ Jesus as personal Savior.
Matt, Jessica, Emily, and Adrienne from CEF clearly explained the good news of salvation as they told Bible stories and a continued missionary story, taught memory verses and songs, and helped the children remember through fun review games. Thank you, CEF. Thank you, faithful prayer partners. May God get the glory.
--Rebecca McMillan
FALL SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AT 3:00 P.M.
Please join us for our Annual Praise Banquet this year celebrating 50 years of the Williams’ Family ministry and featuring the story of Josiah presented by the camp kids in the musical, Good Kings Come in Small Packages.
No charge; a freewill offering will be received.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 AT 6:00 P.M.
Awana Leaders Meeting
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 AT 5:15 P.M.
Boys Awana Begins—Grades K – 8
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5 AT 5:15 P.M.
Girls Awana Begins—Grades K – 8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 5:30 P.M.
Teen Club Starts—Grades 9 - 12
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 AT 9:00 A.M
Women’s Fall Retreat—“Journeys through James”
Dave and Becky McMillan; Lizetta, Mary, Mark and Karen Williams; Judy Chesebro;
Joji Barredo, Philippines; Trudie Hayon, Trinidad
Return To Archived Page