Little Galilee Christian Assembly
Celebrating God's Faithfulness - A Few Of The Highlights
- 1953 - Original 28 acres donated by M/M Joseph Reeser and M/M Richard Reeser. Bill
Junkins, Minister of First Christian in Clinton was the facilitator.
- 1953 - February 26, First Board of Directors organized
- 1954 - Lake and dining hall constructed and plans approved for the first two dorms
- 1955 - First camp weeks (2), dorms under construction, total of 87 campers
attended
- 1957 - Swimming pool and bathhouse constructed
- 1958 - Caretakers house constructed. Frank Lovette, caretaker (Present Manager's
house)
- 1963 - Genevieve Farnsworth started helping with registrations
- 1963 - Chuck Bartlett hired as part time Program Director
- 1964 - Chapel and teaching shelters constructed
- 1964 - Jim Summy hired - part time Manager
- 1965 - Boys dorm constructed
- 1970 - Chuck Bartlett hired Camp Director
- 1973 - Gene Johnson called - first full time Manager, wife Isabelle, bookkeeper
- 1976 - January - purchased additional 72.3 acres
- 1976 - September - purchased additional 127.8 acres (now grand total of 228)
- 1979 - Wilderness camp started
- 1980 - Three Oaks Lodge completed and dedicated (cost $136,000; appraised at $262,000)
- 1981 - Major water and sewage treatment system renovation
- 1981 - Kevin Peterson - hired to be first full time Facilities Manager
- 1982 - Utility and office building constructed
- 1982 - Capital campaign to pay off $300,000 debt
- 1983 - First issue of the Galilean newsletter printed
- 1984 - Kingdom Builders Club started
- 1984 - Wilderness camp renovated and Outpost camp begun
- 1988 - Farmhouse renovated for Kevin Peterson family
- 1988-91 - Eugene Stephens upgraded electrical service for all buildings
- 1988 - Debt paid off - mortgage burning ceremony
- 1989 - April - Untimely death of Camp Manager, Gene Johnson
- 1990 - Blair Wagner call to be Manager
- 1992 - Chapel upgraded
- 1993-94 - Plans being made for new pool and bathhouse
- 1994 - $750,000 bonds sold for new pool/pool house/utilities
- 1994 - Dining hall addition (screened in extension)
- 1995 - Old pool bathhouse converted for staff hosing
- 1998 - Bob Phillips called - Developmental Director (Fund Raising) (Closes 18 1/2
ministry - Champaign)
- 1998 - Blair Wagner concludes role as Manager
- 1998 - December 31 - Isabel Johnson retires, concludes 25 yrs. of faithful service as
Bookkeeper/Office Mgr.
- 1998 - Dana Dann began as Bookkeeper/Office Mgr.
- 1999 - March 1 - Ken Rutledge called to be 3rd Camp Manager (concludes YM at Jefferson
St. Christian in Lincoln) Began as Camp Manager April 12
- 2000 - Refinanced loan - $590,000 (Paid bonds off)
- 2000 - November - Launched "Debt Free in 2003" Larger Vision challenge
- 2001 - John Turney - becomes part time Assistant Facilities Manager, assisting Kevin
Peterson
- 2001 - Launched Friends of Gideon Club (for Debt Free & Larger Vision - individuals)
- 2002 - Sid Foulke called - Director of Financial Resources (Estate Planning) (Wife Nancy
to assist)
- 2002 - October - Major gift received (duplex)
- 2002 - November - Mortgage paid off - PTL (in 2 years rather than the goal of
3!)
- 2002 - December - Transition into the LARGER VISION PLAN, next phase of capital
improvements
- 2002 - December - Executive board accepts plans for a multi-purpose building (Activity
Center)
- 2002 - December - Collection of funds for the Activity Center building begins (Plans
to build debt free)
- 2004 - Started construction on the Activity Center building
- 2004 - December - Dana Dann concludes work as Office Manager
- 2005 - January - Beverly Angel begins as Office Manager
- 2005 - LABOR DAY WEEKEND - September 4, 2:30 pm - FAMILY CAMP - Dedication Day
for the Activity Center building. All bills paid! PTL! PRAISE GOD FOR
THOSE WHO CAUGHT THE VISION!
- 2005 - September 4, 7 pm - Celebration and praise service for 50 years of
blessings! TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE CONTINUES TO DO!
The above dates and highlight occasions do not attempt to reflect the thousands of
lives that have been touched for Jesus Christ during the past 50 years. Some who are
now leaders in the church testify "my spiritual growth and development started at
camp." Only eternity will reveal the many victories and good realized through
the important ministry.
The above highlights do not reflect the hundreds of faithful Christians who spent many,
many hours of hard work clearing the land, building buildings, painting buildings,
repairing buildings, patching the old swimming pool, building the new pool and bath house,
cleansing buildings, cooking meals, sewing curtains, building benches for the vesper
areas, replacing roofs, mowing grass, upgrading the electrical service and
repairing/upgrading the water systems, providing equipment and vehicles without charge,
helping with publicity and mailings, helping with registration and office work.....etc.
etc. etc. Thank you Lord for these servants. THROUGH THE YEARS, MANY, MANY OF
THESE FOLK HAVE BEEN FROM THE LEROY CHRISTIAN CHURCH! THANKS!
Nor does the above schedule mention the supporting churches and the hundreds and
hundreds of the Lord's people who have so faithfully and generously given of their
finances to make all of this possible. May the joy of giving fill their hearts to
overflowing measures!
And who could number those who have served as volunteer staff to teach God's Word,
counsel, and freely invest their lives in others during the hundreds of camping programs
over the past fifty years! Many have already gone home to be with the Lord.
Many still serve faithfully.
IS IT ANY WONDER WE CONTINUE TO SAY THAT LITTLE GALILEE IS ONE OF GOD'S SPECIAL PLACES
WHERE GOOD THINGS HAPPEN! THANKS FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP.
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Copyright ©2006-2008
LeRoy Christian Church