Rain Can’t Dampen Family Night
by Robert Mitchell
A passing rainstorm notwithstanding, Family Night festivities at the Old Orchard Beach (OOB) Camp Meetings still made its own splash on Monday, and with great fanfare.
Families strolled the grounds and enjoyed their choice of activities, such as a petting zoo, inflatables, face-painting, pony rides, food, basketball, balloons, a rock wall, ice cream, and more.
Under the wings of the spacious Seaside Pavilion, an excited audience heard songs from the kids involved in the OOB children’s meetings and saw performances by the Move Dance Company.
Rochelle Ivany McAllister of the Canadian Staff Songsters led a song and presented a devotional. She urged her young audience to appreciate the various parts of their God–given bodies. “Love your bodies, which are created by God,” said McAllister.
After the show, McAllister said her message was designed to encourage children to “accept everyone” despite some segments of today’s culture that uses body image and racism to divide God’s people.
“Love God, love our neighbor, and love our bodies,” she said.
The children’s meetings are being held every night during the weekend and will continue Tuesday. Among other things, they provide age-appropriate gospel lessons under the theme “Ready, Set, Move! Follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere.”
Major Antonio Rosamilia, the territorial youth secretary, said about 40 kids attended each day in the Tabernacle and members of Hands On and CAST helped.
“It’s a fun opportunity to share the love of Christ on their own level and in their own language.” Rosamilia said.
Besides having plenty of music, the kids made bracelets, solved puzzles, and had a good time coloring and creating with Play-Doh, blocks, and even sand.
The memory verse for the sessions was Hebrews 12:2 “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
“It’s not just free play,” explained Alayna Starkey, who helped with the children’s meetings and works in the Territorial Youth Department. “It’s very meaningful. They take something from it.”
Rosamilia also provided opportunities for the kids to ask Jesus into their hearts. He played an accordion previously owned by his father, Major Angelo Rosamilia, the former longtime pastor at the Queens Temple Corps who was promoted to Glory in 2013.
Studying God’s word
Two Bible studies—a staple at the camp meetings—began Monday in the OOB Corps and on the beach.
The corps Bible study, led by Lt. Colonel John Murray, the executive officer of the Canadian Staff Songsters, included scripture, testimonies, corporate prayer, and reflection. As someone played “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” on piano, Murray asked everyone to reflect on how God is working in their lives. Murray’s request inspired a time of sharing heartfelt testimonies.
The theme for the study was John 5:17 where the scripture reads “In his defense, Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
“When asked what he tried to get across to his audience, Murray said, “It’s a coming together of God’s people and really taking time to pause, to reflect, and to focus on how God is working in our lives. I’m hoping that, through the system, through the teaching, the interaction, and the group conversation, people will be blessed and encouraged.”
The Bible studies continue through Thursday.
