On Friday afternoon, July 25, young people and staff gathered for Midwest Youth Camp 2025 at Pinecrest Camp and Conference Center, near Fredericktown, Missouri. Attendees came from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri. Others came from outside the Midwest region, including Washington DC, Oregon, Georgia, and Canada. Esther Olusanya, from Worth, led the event, and the theme was “The Ten Commandments: God’s Law, Our Guide.” The texts studied at each devotional session were taken from Exodus 20. 

Campers gathered for a bonfire on Friday evening, which included music, games, testimonies, Bible trivia, and a short message by Jeff Downey, pastor of the St. Louis church. Each cabin met together and were encouraged to share where they stood spiritually, and counselors led them in prayer.

On Saturday morning, campers enjoyed boating, fishing, and crafts. Following lunch, cabins met for devotions, where the theme of the day was “Putting God First: Commandments 1 and 2.” The evening chapel service began with singing, led by Angelina McCarville from St. Louis, followed by a group singing “Give Me Oil.” A daily memory verse challenge featured activities such as musical chairs, hot potato, and more, keeping energy and excitement high as the students recited Saturday’s memory verse, Matthew 22:37. Elementary school graduates testified and were followed by a special from the camp staff. Joshua Idowu, pastor of the Worth church, gave a message referencing 1 Kings 17:7-13 and Matthew 22:37. Brother Joshua gave an object lesson using three cups: one filled with rocks, one with dirt, and one with water. He then filled each cup with water and explained how sin could come in if a person's life is not filled with God. He asked the question, “Where is your fulfillment?” Following the service was a beautiful prayer meeting where many received a touch from the Lord. The evening ended with a late-night game of glow-in-the-dark dodgeball in the gym.

Sunday morning, everyone enjoyed games of kickball followed by an all-camp water balloon fight. Afternoon devotionals focused on the theme “Honoring God’s Name and Day: Commandments 3 and 4.” Following swimming and free time, cabins met once again for an evening chapel service. The service began with a cabin group singing “Step into the Water.” Jackie Idowu, from Worth, led the song service followed by another group singing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” The memory verse challenge focused on Exodus 20:7, and campers participated in a memory verse duel. After testimonies and singing, Nathaniel Hunsu from Athens gave a message entitled “What Is a Soul Worth?” using Mark 8:36-37 for reference. A wonderful prayer meeting followed.

The final day of youth camp included activities such as inner tube tug-of-war, water balloon volleyball, swimming, and free time. The cabin devotional had the theme “Honoring and Protecting: Commandments 5 and 6.” The final chapel service began with singing and then Superintendent General Sola Adesope, of Portland, spoke with the youth camp attendees and shared greetings from Portland. He reminded them that “the best is yet to come.” Following the address, the first cabin special was “Father Abraham.” The memory verse challenge used activities like hula hoops and relays to challenge campers to recite Ephesians 6:1. The last cabin special was “It is Well,” followed by recent high school graduates sharing their testimonies. Donald Fittin, pastor of the Van Buren church, gave a message from Genesis 2:7. He showed pictures of a woodpecker and shared interesting facts about them, asking the congregation, “Are we more special than a woodpecker?” At the final prayer meeting, many received blessings from the Lord.

While youth camp officially ended on Monday, July 28, with the start of Midwest Camp Meeting, the cabin groups continued to meet for devotionals each afternoon. The theme for Tuesday was “Living Pure and Honest: Commandments 7 and 8,” and campers also enjoyed participating in a Bible scavenger hunt.

Wednesday’s theme was “Truth and Contentment: Commandments 9 and 10.” Students and staff spent the afternoon preparing for their skits and specials for that evening’s chapel service, which Midwest camp attendees were invited to join. Each cabin presented a skit focused on the theme of the Ten Commandments. The memory verse challenge was a review of all memory verses throughout the week, and for the oldest attendees, memorization of the Ten Commandments. The message was brought by Robert Makasi from Wharton, New Jersey. He preached on Luke 18:27 and Matthew 12:42, focusing on the phrase “a greater than Solomon,” reminding the congregation that God can answer all their questions. The chapel service was followed by an encouraging prayer service, and many later testified to God’s working power.

The final youth camp activity occurred on Thursday, July 31. Throughout the week, campers had been encouraged to anonymously submit questions to be answered at a seminar entitled “What Is Sin?” Many questions were received, and a panel, consisting of several adults and church leaders, answered the questions at Thursday’s seminar. Questions were divided into categories, including "Marriage and Love," "Alcohol and Substance Abuse," and "Modesty and Dress." The panelists used the Bible and portions of the Minister’s Manual to answer each question for the young people, and many were encouraged.

Midwest Youth Camp 2025 was a time of fellowship and fun, but most of all, it was a time attendees spent drawing closer to God. Many lingered around the altars late into the evening, and several testified about receiving salvation and their deeper experiences. The camp was the largest Midwest Youth Camp on record, with over one hundred in attendance. The blessings received will be cherished throughout the coming year as the attendees return to their home churches, having touched the Lord.