Beginnings:
It all began with a lawn mower and a weed-eater. Karl mowed lawns for neighbors as a service to get to know them to build relationships in which we could share the Gospel. We became friends with Jordan through mowing the lawn in front of his real estate office. In 2008, he asked if we could go out to his village to help cleanup the yard there. We quickly saw that it was perfect for a site for a Christian camp. We pitched the idea to Jordan, and he readily agreed that it would be wonderful for it to be used in such a great way. We got in touch with Darko Adamek, national director of Child Evangelism Fellowship Serbia, about CEF using the camp for their summer camps. Excitement built as we walked over the property praying and seeing God open the doors for this vision to become reality.
Work began in January 2009 to clean out the buildings, make repairs, transform an old stable and outbuildings to be usable rooms such as a bathhouse and a recreation room, dig a well, put in a septic system, build bunk beds, and more. For seven months, people came together to work to prepare the facilities for camps held in July. Four camps were held during summer 2009 at this location where more than 200 children were reached with the Gospel, of which more than 20 decided to give their lives into the hands of the living God.
In 2011, CEF Serbia purchased the property. Camps have been held each summer with over 200 children attending. Camps have been held for children from many different backgrounds: refugees, from single-parent homes, Roma gypsy, Hungarian speakers, Slovakian speakers, Christian family or Muslim family. The children are from diverse backgrounds, but they are all loved by God and need to hear about Jesus!
Future:
Renovations and adaptations continue on the older buildings. In the past couple of years, a meeting room, dining hall and one new bunkhouse were built, but still need to complete all of the finishes. We also still need to complete the outsides of the buildings. There are plans for recreational facilities, such as a covered basketball pavilion and maybe a pool. Future plans also include installing heating systems so the camp can be used year-round for retreats and conferences as well.
Testimonials:
- This is my first time at camp. Thank you for letting me attend camp so I could learn how to believe in God! I would love to come again next year. (Selma from Belgrade)
- Camp means so much to me. In these two years, my life has changed so much. I would love to help children and young people in the future to experience what I have experienced. (Snezana from Nis)
- This summer God used me at camps to sow God’s Word. Thank Him for this privilege. Three girls from my room gave their lives to our dear Savior. One participant, who had already gone to camp for many years said to me, “You know that I love camps, I am ready to go again next year. I love to learn about God, to sing to Him and to fellowship. My faith becomes even greater.” I saw tears at the departure. I received a message, “thank you for organizing camp for us (Katarina H., CEF worker)
It all began with a lawn mower and a weed-eater. Karl mowed lawns for neighbors as a service to get to know them to build relationships in which we could share the Gospel. We became friends with Jordan through mowing the lawn in front of his real estate office. In 2008, he asked if we could go out to his village to help cleanup the yard there. We quickly saw that it was perfect for a site for a Christian camp. We pitched the idea to Jordan, and he readily agreed that it would be wonderful for it to be used in such a great way. We got in touch with Darko Adamek, national director of Child Evangelism Fellowship Serbia, about CEF using the camp for their summer camps. Excitement built as we walked over the property praying and seeing God open the doors for this vision to become reality.
Work began in January 2009 to clean out the buildings, make repairs, transform an old stable and outbuildings to be usable rooms such as a bathhouse and a recreation room, dig a well, put in a septic system, build bunk beds, and more. For seven months, people came together to work to prepare the facilities for camps held in July. Four camps were held during summer 2009 at this location where more than 200 children were reached with the Gospel, of which more than 20 decided to give their lives into the hands of the living God.
In 2011, CEF Serbia purchased the property. Camps have been held each summer with over 200 children attending. Camps have been held for children from many different backgrounds: refugees, from single-parent homes, Roma gypsy, Hungarian speakers, Slovakian speakers, Christian family or Muslim family. The children are from diverse backgrounds, but they are all loved by God and need to hear about Jesus!
Future:
Renovations and adaptations continue on the older buildings. In the past couple of years, a meeting room, dining hall and one new bunkhouse were built, but still need to complete all of the finishes. We also still need to complete the outsides of the buildings. There are plans for recreational facilities, such as a covered basketball pavilion and maybe a pool. Future plans also include installing heating systems so the camp can be used year-round for retreats and conferences as well.
Testimonials:
- This is my first time at camp. Thank you for letting me attend camp so I could learn how to believe in God! I would love to come again next year. (Selma from Belgrade)
- Camp means so much to me. In these two years, my life has changed so much. I would love to help children and young people in the future to experience what I have experienced. (Snezana from Nis)
- This summer God used me at camps to sow God’s Word. Thank Him for this privilege. Three girls from my room gave their lives to our dear Savior. One participant, who had already gone to camp for many years said to me, “You know that I love camps, I am ready to go again next year. I love to learn about God, to sing to Him and to fellowship. My faith becomes even greater.” I saw tears at the departure. I received a message, “thank you for organizing camp for us (Katarina H., CEF worker)