For the first time in several years, all the pastors in the Nevada-Utah Conference attended Springville camp meeting. Since the early 1980s, the conference has held two camp meetings each summer, one at Springville and one at Lake Tahoe.

When the Lake Tahoe campmeeting began, half of the pastors attended Springville and the other half attended Lake Tahoe. Dividing the pastors placed a heavy burden on a few pastors to complete camp pitch (set-up), but it allowed each pastor to be away from his church only two Sabbaths out of the summer instead of four.

Five years ago, lay members took over leadership at Lake Tahoe and fewer pastors were required to attend. This year, pastors are no longer required to attend Lake Tahoe, so they must all attend Springville. “It has been great for morale having everyone here, and we’re getting the opportunity to fellowship,” explained Kevin James, camp superintendent.

Pastors and conference workers were required to be on site Thursday, June 8, to begin camp pitch, and they worked most of the weekend. During camp pitch, nine tents are raised — one for each of the children’s departments plus a first-aid and education tent. In addition, they clean the auditorium, showers, bathrooms and main office.

Camp pitch requires several hours of hard work with both brains and brawns. To end camp pitch and begin camp meeting, the pastors, their spouses and conference workers participated in an agape feast and communion and foot-washing service.

President Brad Newton and Ministerial Director Jim Brackett conducted the service. Newton and Brackett reminded the pastors and workers that servanthood for each other is sometimes more difficult than being servants for church members. Newton and Brackett hoped that the pastors and workers, by “serving” one another, would help remind all of the importance of working together and being servants for Christ.

The participants felt that the time together was needed and are looking forward to sharing again next year.