SUMMARY:
By ED BARCLAY and BOB SCHNEIDER
CHRISTIAN WITNESS MINISTRIES (CWM) held their first residential church camp meetings at picturesque Alexandra Headlands on Queens-land’s Sunshine Coast. Ironically there seemed to be a lack of the famous Queensland sun, but the desperately needed rain was much appreciated.
The accommodation and facilities, being resort style, were second to none. Located directly across the road from the beach they provided us with the opportunity for lovely afternoon walks. Guest speaker Bill Randles indulged in several early morning “dips”; too cold for Queensland blood but a mild stimulant for the preacher from Iowa, where there is no ocean, sea or coastland. Just outside the complex a Cold Rock ice-creamery received a lot of attention from the ice-cream lovers among us. Having camp meetings at a resort helped us to relax away from “the cares of this world”.
The 80+ people travelled from as far away as New Zealand, Victoria, New South Wales and Gympie in Queensland. I caught up with people whom I hadn’t seen for ages and was able to put names to faces of those I had been talking to across the internet for years; what a wonderful time of fellowship!
Camp started midweek on Wednesday evening June 8. That night we sensed we were in for something special. Pastor Bill Randles’ nightly messages were from the book of The Revelation beginning with chapter 4 and concluding with the last chapter. We learned of things to come, i.e. the end times. I have heard hundreds of messages on end times, having cut my eye-teeth on eschatology, but what I heard that night made all the others fade in comparison. Bill has a unique gift to take what appears complex and make it simple. All campers would agree.
The messages were challenging and the presence of the Holy Spirit was real.
The praise and worship was not orchestrated. It came from the hearts of people who were hungry for God. I always say that the choir in heaven will have Welsh voices in it. We were blessed to hear the Welsh voices of Aeron Morgan and Philip Powell (well Aeron’s at least). If that doesn’t bring heaven to earth then I don’t know what does.
Pastor Bill’s morning messages, based on the question, “Do you have eternal life?” from 1 John chapters 3 to 5 were equally challenging. I would highly recommend that everyone order the tapes, cds or dvds at any cost. This series of sermons is a must. Not only are they challenging they will also add to your faith in many ways.
Thursday was my most memorable day.
The morning message humbled me in the presence of God, a feeling that continued into the night when Bill spoke again from Revelation. The messages complemented each other and things just seemed to fall into place.
My co–writer pastor Bob Schneider and his wife Carol say that they felt “the refreshing presence of God’s Spirit” upon them.
Bob said that earlier in that day he felt like a “dried out roo skin”, but God really touched him. It’s good when you sit down later with a nice cup of coffee and re?ect on what you have heard and share your thoughts with friends.
Camp ended on Saturday June 11 around lunchtime. Bill’s last message was “God is Love”. Then we all came around the communion table, a ?tting end to a wonderful camp. Maureen from CWM Resources commissioned Bill with an Akubra hat as he and team (comprised of Mike Roberts and Phil Cavanaugh) set off for the Outback.
Bill as a man of God shows love and compassion for the people he meets. He shared words to probably every camper. We all love him dearly and look forward to the next CWM camp at Kingscliffe June 4-10, 2006.
Co-author Bob Schneider says that he has already gone back to his community in Trundle, Central West NSW, with plans to bring a bus load of those who missed this year’s camp, so you had better book early or you may miss out.
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Appeared in Issue CETF 34 November 2005
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3
© Copyright 2006 Christian Witness Ministries, except where noted. All rights reserved
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-Last revised-
Monday, October 09, 2006
