The Ozark Mission Project

OMP Camp 2010 Turns Things Inside Out!
Every camp has a special moment. It may come as a camper gives us insight through his neighbor experience in sharing. I’ve seen it in the eyes and smiles of campers participating in a well planned game. I’ve seen it many times in worship. For the Lakewood camp, it camp Friday night. We did about 20 projects in an area called Dark Hollow in NLR very near my home church and camp, Lakewood UMC.

We had planned to do our Neighbor Night in Dark Hollow with just a cookout to wrap up the week. However, as we got to know the people in the community throughout the week, we built a special relationship with them. Several high school aged youth from King Solomon Baptist Church and several community leaders worked alongside our family groups to scrape, paint, hammer, and do yard work. So, we decided to try sharing and communion at King Solomon Baptist Church for our end-of-camp celebration.

Here is a Facebook post from Rev. Cindy Russell just before the big event:
“Off to King Solomon Baptist Church in Dark Hollow for a cookout and worship service with our OMP camp. Going to share Holy Communion with young and old, black and white, men and women, Baptists and Methodists. Am thinking this is the way God intended the meal to be...everyone at the table.”

I’m still processing what happened that evening. I know it was the most overt and diverse outpouring of love I have ever experienced. For starters, picture our neighbors of the week describing their experience with the OMP campers during sharing. Also, picture a black Baptist minister sharing communion with a white female Methodist minister! Imagine black and white youth embracing during the act of community and individual prayer.

I know a transformation occurred during that week. It culminated in a fellowship event that deserves words to honor what happen. I haven’t found them yet. However, I do know that OMP is widening our sphere of influence. We have always been about transforming lives (neighbors and campers). This week we were on the ground floor of transforming a whole community.

What we do is important and it honors God. It has never been so clear to me.

In His service,

Hank Godwin

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The Ozark Mission Project is a wonderful place to meet new people, renew old friendships, help our neighbors by doing various jobs, and strengthening our relationships with God.

During the week campers may find themselves painting, mowing, cleaning, and building for their neighbors. This hard work is very rewarding when they see the happiness in their neighbors. After a long day of hard work and a good shower, the entire camp comes together for sharing.

During this time anyone can speak about the day's events or whatever is on their hearts. Every night following sharing we have worship. This time consists of singing, scripture reading, devotional talks, and quiet time. Quiet time is completely silent and an opportunity to reflect on the day and pray to God one on one. 

OMP is a great and rewarding experience that everyone should take part in. The only requirement is that you must have completed the 8th grade.

If you have never been to OMP before feel free to talk to someone who has or ask Brandon. Here's the official Ozark Mission Project website.

And here are more pictures of our groups!