Our journey to begin Camp Grace Canada started in early 2020 when we decided to go on family vacation. It wasn’t your normal vacation. Our goal was to get closer to God as a family. We traveled from our home town of Hampton, Ontario down the mid states to Florida, then followed the Atlantic coast up to Virginia Beach before we returned home.
On our way south we made a commitment to God to hear His voice and follow the path he would lay out for us. We would check to see what was going on at the local churches in each town we stopped in and would only visit attractions that were in line with what He was calling us to do.
While heading south we stopped in a city near middle Georgia. The city was Macon and the Holy Ghost flowed through the streets. We found out that Macon was the city where the first baptism in America happened in the 1500’s. They have the most churches per capita any where in North America. We were in the heart of Georgia and the heart of the bible belt.
We attended a Wednesday service at a church on Gray Hwy. The Church is Real Life Church and is pastored by Pastor Bo Turner. Pastor Bo preached a powerful message and prayed for my son after service. My son was suffering from heart disease and needed surgery to save his life. We were so thankful and felt so blessed to have the opportunity to join them for their worship, praise, and fellowship.
The next day we continued on our journey but something was different. The spirit of the Lord was moving. He started His call. As we continued there was an incredible pull for us to return to Macon. Not knowing why and not understand we continued on the path and made the most of the opportunity God put before us. Then the world shut down. Covid-19.
For the next 2 years we weren’t allowed to travel and life seemed like something out of an apocalypse movie. Couldn’t travel, couldn’t go to church, couldn’t go to work. Things were in a weird state, but that break was a great time to strengthen our family bond and focus on Gods calling for our lives.
As the restrictions began to be lifted Nicole and I knew we had to get back to Georgia. We bought a 31ft motorhome and decided we needed to see where the Lord was calling us. We drove down south and visited every corner of the state. Atlantic Ocean to Alabama, Florida to Tennessee and everything in between.
We stopped at an RV park at lake Allatoona. While there my wife was talking to a child from the neighbouring camp and told them what we were doing down there. This child said “Have you ever heard of Camp Grace? They already do everything you’re being called to do!”. Nicole got so excited. She made me call them immediately to see if we could come visit.
The first time I called I left a message. didn’t get a response and wasn’t sure this was the place we are being called. Nicole told me try again and if we didn’t get a response we would move on. Two days after the first call I tried calling again. I left a message that went something like:
“Hi my name is Richard and I’m from Canada, you probably think I am crazy but I feel like God has called me to be involved with a camp like the one you have. If there is any way I can help weather its serving, financial or even partnering with you please call me and let me know.”
Lucas called me back.
“Hey Richard, you’re not crazy, God just does crazy things!”
Lucas invited me out to camp and gave me an awesome tour.
Since then any chance we’ve had to go down and help we’ve gone, including 6 weeks this past summer. I’d say we’ve spent close to 12 weeks down there over the pas two and a half years.
Now this year Nicole and I fell like God is ready for us to start Camp Grace Canada with help from the camp down in Macon Georgia. We are now able, with Gods guidance and wisdom, to help 1000’s more hear the gospel and give them a chance to get out of the situation they are in for a week. Allow these kids to feel Gods grace and help them find a new path in life. The first step in being born again.