November 21 and 22 saw the open day and dedication service for Netherside Hall, Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Camps venue that featured in April’s en.
After two weeks of torrential rain it was yet another answer to prayer that the official opening of Yorkshire Camps’ new venue was on a weekend which was dry, even if the countryside was dusted with snow.
Why another centre?
Andy Peace, who had previously worked at The Oakes in Sheffield, led the service and explained the need for another Christian camp centre which would reach out to children in North and West Yorkshire. The situation, with so few children attending any church activities and virtually no teens from non-Christian homes having contact with the gospel, is desperate, and evangelistic camps are proving to be an effective way to reach them.
Hannah Peace movingly went through several of the remarkable answers to prayer they have experienced in the last six months. Dan Thaw, director of The Oakes in Sheffield, prayed committing the work to the Lord. Roger Carswell spoke from Ezra 6 on the rebuilding of the temple, that the regular work, prayer, proclamation and worship could continue, likening it not only to Yorkshire Camps, but God’s mission in coming to save us. Then each of the Mathai family – father, mother and three young children – prayed for the ongoing work.
Yorkshire Camps is a non-denominational charity that runs gospel camps where children and young people enjoy action-packed holidays while exploring the Christian message. For the last six months, volunteers from churches around Yorkshire and other Christians from all over the country have worked to make ready this beautiful, imposing building situated in 29 acres of Yorkshire Dales countryside.
The first camp at Netherside Hall will be held over the New Year for teenagers. Then, as well as a programme of children’s camps for 2016, there is a Family Camp, a Dads and Lads weekend, and ‘Bible in the Dales’ over the May Day holiday weekend at which Dr Steve Brady, Principal at Moorlands Bible College is due to speak.
