OceanSide church of Christ

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (73)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     There are times when questions begin with the word “if.”

 

B.      Many times people have already considered their answers to “if” questions.

1.       If you had something to do over in life, what would it be?

2.       If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

3.       If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?

 

C.     We do not do many “if” questions on our Q&A Sundays.  The questions that are asked involve God, Christ, the Bible, the church, the works of the church, etc.

 

D.     In our lesson this morning, we want to address three of your questions:

 

I.                    QUESTION #2:  Georgia Bible Camp

 

A.     Stated:  Since the Georgia Bible Camp is our mission work for the month of April, can you provide us a little background information on it.

 

B.      Answer:

1.       Georgia Bible Camp is located just outside Valdosta Georgie in Hahira, GA. 

 

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2.       The Director of Georgia Bible Camp is Deland Guthrie.

 

Our Minister - St.Augustine Road church of Christ

 

a.       Deland is the minister and one of the elders at the St. Augustine Road church of Christ in Valdosta, GA.

b.      He is married to Bonnie and they have 2 sons and 4 grandsons. 

c.       He has been in full-time ministry for 12 years and in part-time ministry for 30 years before that.

3.       The Georgia Bible Camp is overseen by a Board of Directors.

a.       Presently, there are ten board members.

b.      All of the board are members of the Lord’s church.  The majority of them are ministers of various churches between here and Valdosta, GA.

4.       The Camp’s assets

a.       The camp is located on 54 acres just north of Valdosta, GA.

b.      A chapel that will seat 140.

c.       A dining hall that will seat 90.

d.      An arts and crafts building

e.       A swimming pool

f.        Nine new cabins that sleep 10 people

g.      Two older block cabins that sleep 17 people

h.      A low and high ropes course that is valued at $200,000.00.  It was constructed for only $20,000.00.  These funds were contributed by local businesses in the area.

 

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5.       Presently, there are five weeks of camp.  The directors for each week are members of the Lord’s church.  The first two weeks have around 100 campers.  The remaining three weeks have about 75 campers.  The average cost per camper is:  $180.00 per week.

a.       May 29th – June 3rd:  Deland Guthrie

b.      June 5th – June 10th:  Ronnie West

c.       June 12th - June 18th:  Doug Frazier

d.      June 19th – June 25th:  Riley Nelson

e.       July 10th – July 16th:  Jason Ridgeway

6.       Current needs:

a.       Complete a cabin on the girls end of the camp.        Cost:  $12,500.00

 

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b.      A new dining hall that will seat 300 people.             Cost:  $200,000.00

c.       A second swimming pool.                                          Cost:  $30,000.00

7.       Once the camp is completed, there are ways the camp will create some of its own revenue.

a.       They rent signs that are located on the part of the property adjacent to the interstate.

b.      They will rent the camp out to various church groups:  youth days, men’s retreats, ladies’ retreats, etc.

c.       The ropes course will bring in revenue from churches and businesses that want to engage in that experience.

8.       Pictures of camp weeks:

 

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II.                 QUESTION:  Each One Bring One Day, Sunday, May 1, 2022

 

A.     Stated:  Can you tell us a few things about “Each One Bring One Day” that will help us to get excited about it and help to make it a success?

 

B.      Answer:

1.       Every Sunday should be and “Each One Bring One” Sunday. 

a.       Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

b.      He has put us in charge of taking the gospel to all who are lost so they can be saved (Mark 16:15 -16).

2.       The Lord wants all of us both as individuals and as a church to bear much fruit (John 15:8).

 

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

3.       Often what tends to happen on a “special” Sunday, the church will pick up one or two permanent people who will attend on a regular basis.

4.       Each one of us should commit to asking 5 to 10 people to come visit with us on May 1st:  family, friends, co-workers, previous members of OceanSide, members of other congregations.  If 60 people ask 5, that’s 300 who are invited.  If 60 invite 10, that’s 600 that we have asked to be with us.  If just 5% attend that day, we would have between 15 and 30 people be with us at our services. 

5.       We need to get excited, that is, enthused about the work at OceanSide.  If we are not excited, how can we convince others that they really need to be a part of us? 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     The church’s responsibility is to do all we can to reach these lost souls. 

 

B.      The earlier we can reach them the better.  Summer Camp provides a way for the gospel to be taught to our young people.

 

C.     Too, the church can try to find unique ways, like “Each One Bring One” Sundays, to bring people into our building.

1.       They get to meet us, the people of God.

2.       They get to be introduced to some of the practices of God’s people.

3.       They get to hear a message from the Word of God that might not have been heard unless we had invited them to our special Sunday.