Wendell McGregor wrote this on the occasion of twenty years of Camp Horizon at Leesburg (1995). He presented this as an oral presentation and copies were sent to board members. This version was reconstructed from a scan and there are some minor edits that do not change the meaning.
Some of the documents mentioned in this tribute survive. They are included in the chapter 1971-1972 A New Organization.
A Brief History of Camp Horizon
Compiled by Wendell McGregor
The Camp Horizon that we know today was started by a letter sent to all the assemblies by two men in the Zephyrhills assembly. That meeting at the Zephyrhills assembly drew many concerned men from all over the state.
The first meeting to organize the camp effort was held at the Hiawassee assembly in 1972. They gathered out of a heartfelt need to minister to the needs of our young people. This willingness to sacrifice and serve has allowed God to perform His miracles at Camp Horizon. God has shown Himself so many times through miracles He has performed through, and sometimes in spite of His servants. This has led to great blessing at times and great humility at other times as God worked out His will and raised up more faithful workers. God is constantly showing Himself in this work and I know that anyone who has taken part in camp work knows what that is like. We serve a living Savior. The first meeting provided a top lawyer to lay a sound foundation. The right people at the right time is a constant testimony to God’s faithfulness through His servants.
Our first experience at camp could have been a discouraging failure but instead was a rich blessing to so many. Remember Lake Swan? Two hundred fifty children, ages 5 through 18, many from H.R.S. in order to fill out the minimum number required by that camp. Some were hostile to camp and “Religion”. Many had to be sent home. The homesick 5-year-olds that had to sleep with their counselors; the overflowing septic tank; the highway that cut through the camp that had to be crossed by everyone 3 times a day for meals. These are just a few of the multitude of problems encountered, but it seems through the depth of troubles God shows that He is working. I recall sitting in on the morning ”Leader’s Prep” meeting and hearing the heartfelt needs of the counselors as they asked prayer for lost young souls. We broke into small groups and committed it to the Lord. Miracle of miracles that night at our get together the very ones we had prayed for had accepted the Lord that day. You ask me how I know He lives?! What a blessing to carry into your everyday life and assembly experience. There are blessings and troubles. With trouble comes humility and hopefully learning and growing in the knowledge of the Lord.
For three more years we rented campgrounds to run our program. Remember Lakewood Retreat? A quieter gentler program than our first year but blessed by God with much fruit and encouragement. Nighttime hayrides through the cemetery and the ghost that Ted and Charlie rigged to slide out of the tree. Cooking for 120 people on a four-burner stove on a screen porch and washing dishes in a small sink.
Again, God changed many lives for eternity and there is no greater blessing. There we were after four years with little money, but, feeling God’s leading in searching for our own facility. We had been earnestly searching for property but everything we found was either not suitable or was too expensive. We searched from Sebring to Orlando but couldn’t find the right property until God, I believe, led us to this property.
Remember the railroad trains coming through here at 50 to 60 miles per hour with as many as 100 cars two or three times per day in summer camp season. We sure had to pray that the Lord would overcome this obstacle, the lack of anyway to pay for the land let alone the building of the entire facility needed to open camp.
The first plan that brother Bradford drew up is essentially the same one we are using today over twenty year later. Remember the groundbreaking? Buses and cars everywhere, 300+ people gathered to dedicate this site to the glory of God.
The call for help matching funds, and material went out. God’s servants sent funds, materials were purchased, workers came from everywhere. God provided a sewer plant worth over 35,000.00 at no cost to Camp. Miracles continued to happen at an outstanding rate. Remember the first day of our new camp? We worked until the wee hours of the morning to finish, then Camp started. What luxury!? Travel trailers for some staff, a room in the unairconditioned dining hall for others, and the notorious gang in the black bus sweating in the orange groves. The buildings we had were the dining hall and four cabins. God was ready to work with His faithful, sacrificial servants. What a blessing it was.
The next thing added was the staff building with AC for the staff and speaker. Next was the fulltime staff housing, and AC for the dining hall. Then the gym was completed with more staff quarters, office and snack shack areas. The chapel was so needed and finally added to our camp. What a great addition and help to the spiritual atmosphere, due to the quiet area provided.
Last, and to many a real encouragement, was the AC in the cabins. Again, a provision of the Lord that has been a real help in both the physical as well as the spiritual health of the campers and the counselors.
We’ve shared many of the details of the grounds and buildings. We could share the miracle of the sewer plant, the railroad, the zoning, the water authority, the monetary provision. One thing we would like is for you to share your experience with God through this camp work. Your remembrance of the examples that you have seen, or experiences you went through that spiritually touched you, for this is where the Lord is Glorified.
Why don’t you take time to reflect on this camp work and encourage others as our Lord has encouraged you by writing down your memories and sharing them with new and old camp supporters.
We never want to forget that God’ s people, through His prompting, built this camp. They planned, spoke, counseled, and served. They led souls to the Lord. They sought to encourage young leaders to mature and assume a leadership role. Remember them. Write to us about them and their victories. Let us encourage others with your stories and their names and experiences.
We have experienced many blessings in the lives of our dear friends through the years here at Camp Horizon. Some have retired and moved, some, I guess, just got tired, some grew up, some got jobs, some married, some have gone on to a rich reward, many still faithfully serve. To all who have faithfully served over the years I want to say well done and trust we will serve our blessed Lord until He calls us home.
Please write to Camp Horizon so we can compile them as it were a roll call of those who have served and be blessed in sharing with others the Lord’s faithfulness.
SEND YOUR MEMORIES TO: News@WebChapel.org