Gbenro Adesina
The Apostolic Faith Church Headquarters in Oregon, Portland, United State of America (USA) has cancelled the 2020 camp meeting of the church due to the coronavirus pandemic, saying, “Let’s look forward to camp meeting 2021! Better yet, anticipate the possibility of the Rapture of the Church well before then”.
The Portland camp meeting was scheduled to open on Sunday, June 28.
The Superintendent General of the church, Reverend Darrel Lee, made this known in a message titled, “Portland Camp Meeting 2020 Decision”.
He stated, “There is simply not enough time during the next eighty-four days to gain the needed confidence for hosting an international camp meeting. It is therefore clear that we should not hold Portland camp meeting this year, nor is it feasible to reschedule it. At this point, it is still too early to make firm plans regarding other summer events scheduled throughout the world. However, once we are able to safely assemble together, it may be more important to renew fellowship at the branch church level than to assemble away from our home churches”.
Darrel Lee explained, “When this pandemic subsides, closures throughout society will begin to open slowly, gradually, and incrementally rather than suddenly and all at once. Large gatherings will not be deemed safe or acceptable anytime soon. Even if we are able to assemble in our sanctuaries by the end of May, which is doubtful, we will need several weeks of gathering on a local level to gain confidence that we are doing so without putting the health of those present in jeopardy”.
“This announcement will eliminate one aspect of our current uncertainty, even if it is disappointing. Our 37th camp meeting in 1943 was also cancelled at the height of World War II. Our saints survived, and we will too. In fact, we will do more than survive, we will thrive”, he added.
In order for the church members to thrive, the superintendent suggested that members should In order to do so, here are some suggestions pay extra attention to their personal walk with God through daily study of church lessons, constant private prayers and joining others around the world for the Portland church webcast, or for webcasts offered by members’ church.
He said, “Seize this “social distancing” time as a period of spiritual refinement and character development. May we use this time apart from others for time together with God, modelling Jesus’ example. Pray for and look forward to the time when we can return to the house of God with all our friends”.
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