ARKANSAS—One hundred and ten Philadelphia Church of God members gathered on the banks of the Coosa River to attend the ninth annual southeast region Memorial Day family campout from May 23-26. Members came from across the southeast region and as far as Ohio and South Africa.

The events kicked off on Friday evening as the sun set over the lake and Regional Director Wik Heerma delivered a Bible study focused on happiness. The evening concluded with family fellowship and delicious watermelon. On Sabbath morning, the group shared brunch before attending services and hearing a sermonette from Local Elder Jason Hensley about delighting in the Eternal and a sermon from Preaching Elder Joseph Short speaking directly to the children about their part in God’s plan and the God Family vision.

Afterward, members participated in a lively question-and-answer session with the ministers before tasting the smoked chicken dinner that had been encompassing everyone’s sense of smell throughout the day. After sunset, they played board games and cornhole and auditioned for entertainment night.

The final day of events was packed with family events and the answered prayer of sunshine. The day started with a hearty breakfast to provide the energy for the upcoming activities. Wacky games began mid-morning with 45 participants, ages 4 to 20, composing four teams and running relays including fill the bucket, sack race, egg and spoon, and ball walk. The teams then tested their strength and organizational skills with a friendly game of tug of war. The rest of the campground brought lawn chairs and cheered as they enjoyed the entertainment. The groups then used their creative and cardboard engineering skills in the build-a-boat competition. This year’s competition had a creative spin. The scene was set that last year’s winning boat washed up on the shore with “Mr. Nelson” (a certain memorable volleyball) and “Colonel Sanders” (a newly acquired chicken) needing rescue from a shipwreck.

“God has given us an opportunity to build strong friendships with teams in the wacky games and build-a-boat competition or even entertainment night by singalong songs and groups,” said 11-year-old Evelyn.

After the group activities, members engaged in swimming, water sports, games and fellowship. Activities continued into the evening with the annual potluck “extravaganza” followed by an entertainment night. The rain finally fell, but most of the members were under the large pavilion enjoying the performances. After the show, the rain broke temporarily for members to be able to enjoy s’mores and fireworks.

“This was such an incredible opportunity to spend quality time with more of God’s people and experience God’s creation,” member Colleen Bancroft said. ”Being in the last part of this last hour work, surrounded by the madness of the carnal world we live in, the campout was a beautiful reminder of what we are looking forward to in the World Tomorrow when there will be peace and everyone will get to experience joys of the God Family.”