On Saturday evening, saints gathered on the front lawn of the campground for the annual singalong. By 8:15 p.m., musicians playing banjo, guitar, ukulele, bass, violin, and melodica led a series of hymns, including “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and “Do Lord.” Later, a men’s quartet from Nigeria reprised “Just a Little Talk with Jesus,” a song they had performed earlier during camp meeting. The bluegrass group returned to play “I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing” medley, followed by “Keep on the Firing Line.”
A group from Korea performed “The Salvation Train,” singing first in Korean and then in English. They followed with “Do Lord,” accompanying both energetic songs with hand motions. Then Gary and Kristi Riler displayed a quilt made by Wendy Chasteen and held the always highly anticipated drawing. A young girl visiting from Taipei, Taiwan, won the quilt; though initially hesitant to step forward, she was delighted with her prize.
Throughout camp meeting, testimony services were filled with eager participants sharing what God has done in their lives. Gary Riler led in singing “Glory, Glory, Glory,” where participants stood during the verse corresponding to the day of the week they were saved, allowing everyone to give a testimony.
A sister from Pullman sang “We Have Been Blessed,” sharing that the lyrics—“God has been good, so very good, I have been blessed”—reflected her personal testimony. Anna, the quilt winner, then sang “Shout for Joy, Hallelujah” with her parents and brothers. Though there is no Apostolic Faith church in Taiwan, this family visited Portland years prior and some of the saints here maintained contact with them over the years, leading to their return this year.
Next, a young men’s quartet performed “Movin’ Up to Gloryland,” another favorite from earlier in the week. A group that began as a Worth, Illinois, trio expanded into a sextet featuring singers from Canada, Virginia, and Illinois, to present the song “A Blessing.” They sang, “God bless you, and keep you . . . the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
As the sun was setting, Peter and Heidi Sletmoe sang “I Can Trust Jesus,” accompanying themselves on ukuleles. Then Andy Chasteen led the gathering in a final song, “There’s Something About That Name,” and Ola Balogun closed the evening of fellowship and music with prayer.