About 1,000 camp meetings are active across the U.S. this summer, the Magnolia Tribune reported, and the gatherings remain popular despite modern distractions and simple facilities.
The Tribune’s writer said they sat on a podium in Pennsylvania and watched men, women, young people and older attendees cry out, “Here I am! Send me!” according to the post. The piece said those pleas were to be sent to hard and dark places around the world.
The article said many camp meetings date to the early 19th century and began as frontier preaching stations where itinerant pastors came infrequently. Attendees were drawn by the chance to hear three or more sermons a day for 10 days, the Tribune reported, and by the rustic setting and prolonged focus on faith.
The Tribune said camp meetings also serve as annual times of fellowship and spiritual renewal. The post cited biblical patterns such as Leviticus 23 and Nehemiah 8–9 to describe the gatherings as periods set apart for reading Scripture, repentance, worship and renewed commitment.
The piece said contemporary meetings often feature missionary speakers, offerings for mission work and invitations to serve. The Tribune described last night’s altar call in Pennsylvania as youth and families kneeling and saying, “Here I am/Here we are!” and noted the article’s reminder that answering such calls can bring challenge and hardship.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
