07 Queensland Christ's Ambassadors' First Camp Meeting

Joan Goode

[18] AEGTM vol. 12, no. 3, February 1946

Queensland Christ's Ambassadors' First Camp Meeting.

REPORTED BY SISTER JOAN GOODE.

It is with a song of thankfulness in our hearts to the Lord that we look back on the first Queensland Christ Ambassadors' Convention and Conference, held at Urangan, a Maryborough seaside resort, from the 23rd to 26th December, 1945.

It is some time now since the need was realised for some co-ordination of the C.A. work in this State, and 1945 saw the commencement of this unification. Under the leadership of Pastor Irish, the Toowoomba young people formed a preliminary committee, and set to work. One of the earliest results of this was the publication of the official organ of the Queensland C.A.'s, the "Christ Ambassadors' Call."

In May last, a Youth Convention .sponsored by the Brisbane C.A.'s, was held in that city, to which all Christ Ambassadors within reasonable travelling distance were invited.

Later came the news of the organising of the Christmas Camp, where a Conference would be held, State officers elected, and all matters of general interest discussed. We now have pleasure in reporting that the Camp was a great success, and a big step towards the aim in view.

There were about eighty Ambassadors in attendance. They came from fifteen different places, viz.: Brigalow, Toowoomba, Brisbane, and Kingston in the South, and most centres clear through to Cairns in the far North. A wonderful spirit of sweet fellowship pervaded the whole of the camp activities, as all present were bound together by their love for our 'Blessed Saviour, and by their common interest as Queensland C.A.'s. How blessed indeed is "the fellowship of the Saints!"

Campers began to arrive on Saturday, 22nd December, and

[caption: THE HAPPY GROUP OF CHRIST'S AMBASSADORS].

[19] AEGTM vol. 12, no. 3, February 1946

[caption: THE CAMP FATHER AND MOTHER—PASTOR AND MRS. AKEHURST.]

most of them were present by midday on Sunday.

The days began with "Reveille" at 7 a.m., followed by Morning Devotions from 7.15 to 7.30. A full and complete programme kept everybody busy from then till Evening Devotions at 10.15, with "lights out" at 10.30.

On Sunday, 23rd December, a "Get-to-know-each-other" Meeting in the marquee, which served as the meeting place, was followed by the Dedication Service of the beautiful new church erected by the Urangan saints (our beloved State Chairman, Pastor W. H. Akehurst officiated). The church was packed to overflowing, and our hearts also overflowed in praise and thankfulness to God around the table of the Lord. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit may continue to abide in that new tabernacle, and that many souls may be blessed and won to Christ there. At the close of the service, Sister Akehurst, the camp mother, gave a timely and helpful word to young people.

Lunch was followed by a beach walk, and then came the afternoon service, where Sis. Marie Smith was the speaker. At 6.30 p.m. a monster Open Air Service on the beach attracted attention, and the marquee was packed to capacity when Pastor Irish gave a stirring Gospel message, centred around the Cross of Christ.

After a morning of recreation on Monday, the Conference commenced at 1.30 p.m., and all business was expedited unanimously in two hours. Brother Ernie Smith, of Toowoomba, was elected State Leader; Bro. Roland Ellis, Vice-Leader; Sis. Marie Smith, Secretary-Treasurer; and Sis. Janet Smith, Editor of the "Christ Ambassadors' Call," a position which she has very ably filled as pro tern editor up to the present time.

The division of Queensland into three Districts was discussed, and District Officers will be appointed by the centres concerned. The Southern District extends from Brigalow to Woombye, the Central one from Gympie to Bundaberg, and places put West, while the Northern District extends from Rockampton clear through to the Far North.

[19] AEGTM vol. 12, no. 3, February 1946

At the conclusion of business, the Conference closed with the hearty singing of the "Ambassadors' Chorus."

A prayer meeting in the church preceded the evening service in the marquee, where Brother R. Ellis spoke on Christ coming "In the Fullness of Time," and Sister Joan Kitchener on "Our Spiritual Walk as Ambassadors." As the scene at Calvary was recalled, many eyes were wet with tears, and when the appeal was made for those who wanted to accept Christ, two young girls went forward for Salvation. Many others wept and prayed before the Lord as they renewed their vows of consecration, and as we left the marquee our hearts were full of His love.

Christmas Day began with combined devotions at 7.15 a.m., when carols were sung and praise ascended from thankful hearts for the blessed gift of Good's only begotten Son.

At the morning service, attended by about 100, Sister Janet Smith brought the Christmas message of God's wondrous love in sending Jesus as a babe to Bethlehem.

An excellent Christmas dinner was followed by a Bible Battle. After another big Open Air Meeting, Pastor Akehurst addressed a congregation of 130 at the evening service, and brought a telling Gospel message from the text "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift."

A "Melon Hike" after breakfast on Boxing Day led to a song and testimony meeting under the trees, and a Bible quiz.

The afternoon out-door meeting took the form of a testimony service, as to blessing derived from the Camp. The keynote of the testimonies was the uplift received from the fellowship of so many other Ambassadors, which has left all with the feeling that they are no longer members of an isolated group of workers, but units of a large family, labouring together for the Glory of God.

A short "singspiration" after tea was held before many left for home at 7 p.m., feeling that the Camp had been a real success, and looking forward eagerly to the work of the future, which promises well for the Christ Ambassador movement in Queensland.

We tender grateful thanks and pray God's blessing upon all who laboured so willingly to make the Camp successful, including Pastor Irish, who was in charge, Pastor and Sister Akehurst, the Camp Father and Mother, Sister Joyce Sander, the Camp Secretary, and Pastor Douglas and his workers from Maryborough, who prepared the camp site.

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The man on the top is someone who has had the experience of going to the bottom of thing.