Welcome to OOB Camp Meetings 2025

Reported by Warren L. Maye and Hugo Bravo

July 24–29, 2025 — Fireworks began on the first night of The Salvation Army’s Pier Festival ministry in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, as Lieutenant Christopher Brown, corps officer of the Cleveland Temple, performed under his moniker, Chris Noble. The city’s fireworks display enhanced the music’s power as the crowd danced along.

Lieutenant DeBrekah Simms grew up in Portland, less than 20 miles away. She recalled how, as a child, she was only allowed to be at the pier after dark when The Salvation Army came to town.

“I always remembered the face painting,” said Simms, now assistant corps officer of the Harlem Temple Corps in New York. “But watching it as an adult, I see the memories being made by both Salvationists and non-Salvationists. We’re all commingling and sharing God’s love without any expectations or requirements.”

The Army’s presence at Old Orchard Beach (affectionately known as OOB), she said, is different from any other Salvation Army event because it’s not just Salvationists who look forward to it. “The businesses and the people who live in the community welcome us and know that when we’re here, this is going to be a safe place for them and their families.”

Saturday: Camp Meetings Begin

The New York Staff Band (NYSB) and special guest singer Charlie Green set a worshipful tone for the camp meetings at The Salvation Army’s Seaside Pavilion. Territorial Commander Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz highlighted the site’s 150-year history — 140 of those with The Salvation Army.

Lucas Torres of the NEOSA Division reported on The Salvation Army’s Hands On summer mission teams. He shared how the Creative Arts Service Team (CAST) in Puerto Rico staged Jesus Theatre 18 times and saw over 570 decisions for Christ. A team called Summer Brass taught music, singing, and dance in Peru and witnessed a regional youth congress that saw 20 teens and young adults called to be officers. Hands On teams also worked in Zimbabwe, South Korea, and Cambodia.

Over 100 members of the ARC Chorus and Eastern Territory Staff Songsters (ETSS) filled the stage to sing “Holy Forever.” Many were deeply moved, including Bukiewicz, who had to pause before introducing special guests Commissioners Barbara and Willis Howell. The Howells, originally from the Eastern Territory, are retired leaders of the Southern Territory who now train and equip new Salvation Army officers.

Commissioner Barbara Howell cited Isaiah 43:18–19 and urged the audience to let go of the past and embrace the new things God is doing. Transitions, she reminded everyone, aren’t instantaneous but require patience and trust.

Commissioner Willis Howell used Rocky — the movies that follow the iconic boxer from hungry underdog to comfortable champ — to illustrate how organizations can lose their original passion once they become successful. Citing Harvard’s shift from “Truth for Christ and the Church” to a secular motto and the YMCA’s move away from its explicitly Christian social mission, he warned that The Salvation Army risks a similar “civilizing” drift. He closed by inviting personal self-examination and a renewed commitment to God’s calling.

“We are the secret sauce,” he said. “If we name and claim ourselves as Salvationists, we’re the ones who will determine The Salvation Army’s future as a holy mission, soul-winning movement of Christ.”

Sunday: ‘Keep the Fire Burning’

Before an audience that packed the pavilion for the Sunday holiness meeting, Commissioner Willis Howell spoke about passion. “If you want to know what someone truly cares about,” he said, “watch what they do in their free time. It doesn’t take long to figure out what someone is passionate about.”

With examples of hobbies shared by audience members, from 3D printing to sports fandom, he illustrated that genuine enthusiasm is contagious and often drives us to great lengths. He refocused on the spiritual passions, invoking Founder William Booth’s lifelong dedication to saving souls and his rallying cry, “souls, souls, souls.”

“What does that mean for us?” Howell asked. Referring to Leviticus 6:13, he continued, “It reflects our commitment to keep the fire burning in our hearts. We need to cultivate environments that nurture our passion. Our collective mission needs to be fueled constantly. It’s easy to become complacent, but we must fight against that notion and stoke the flames of our passion.

“Real passion is hard to hide. If you’re passionate about something, others will know. Your enthusiasm shines through in big ways and small. Even in casual conversations, it becomes clear. Passion is contagious.”

Howell urged listeners to nurture and sustain their collective Godly mission with fervor. His call to action: “Keep the spiritual fire alive and renew your commitment to serve.”

Passion was also evident in the music from Charlie Green and Unbound, who led the congregation in worship, and in powerful performances by the ARC Chorus, the NYSB, and the ETSS.

Sunday: Morning Lessons

Meanwhile, inside the Old Orchard Beach Corps, important lessons on living as followers of Christ were being taught. The theme for children’s ministries was “Live It Out.”

“We need to show that we have Christ in our hearts,” said Captain Christine Morales, corps officer of The Salvation Army in Watertown, N.Y. Many of the kids in attendance had accepted Jesus, but Morales said that truly living with Him in one’s heart can sometimes be difficult, especially for teens.

“To say you’re a Christian is one thing,” she said. “But to live it out is another. We’re showing these young people how to live out who we are in Christ.”

Inside the tabernacle, the children watched a performance of Jesus Theatre that portrayed the Lord as a wise and loving clockmaker. Afterward, Territorial Secretary for Youth Major Antonio Rosamilia shared a story about watching a TV movie about Jesus when he was 8 or 9 years old. It affected him the same way Jesus Theatre affects so many who’ve witnessed it.

“That day, I gave my heart to the Lord,” said Rosamilia. “If you felt something warm inside of you as you watched Jesus Theatre, that’s the love of Jesus. And if you don’t think you’ve quite felt that yet, this is your chance to say, ‘Lord, I want to experience what other children are experiencing — for you to come into my heart and give me peace.’”

Sunday: The Gift of Him

The final evening at the pier thrilled the crowd of Salvationists and local community members and visitors with live rock music, hip-hop, Jesus Theatre, and the ever-popular princesses and superheroes. Emcee Samuel Baptista took the stage to thank the audience for their participation and left them with a reminder that God knows and loves every one of them.

“God has done so many beautiful things in my life,” said Baptista, “that the only thing I can do for each of you is gift you the gift of Him. If you don’t know about Jesus, I encourage you and challenge you to give Him a chance to be in your life. You will leave here with an energy inside of you that says ‘You will meet Him one day.’

“God loves you, I love you, and The Salvation Army loves you as well.”

Monday: OOB Corps Bible Study

On Monday morning, Commissioner Willis Howell’s Bible study brought many to the Old Orchard Beach Corps chapel. After his energizing camp meeting messages, they were ready for more.

He drew on New England history — Maine’s own Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain, his defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg, and his famous “bayonets!” charge — to illustrate a passionate “inability to do nothing.”

Howell compared Chamberlain’s decisive action with today’s reluctance to help others. He contrasted a recent street-camera video showing a man who’d been struck down by a car and left for dead to Proverbs 24’s clear command to “rescue the perishing” (MSG).

“The challenge for us is to recognize this pattern and ask ourselves the hard questions: What are we doing to rescue the perishing now? Are we still driven by that same fervor for outreach, or are we content to let our professionalized services take the lead while we remain uninvolved?”

Howell closed with a challenge for believers to renew their commitment to active, hands-on ministry.

Monday: Beach Bible Study

At the beach Bible study, New Jersey Divisional Commander Major Brett DeMichael led a discussion on Ezekiel 37. In the Scripture, God brings the prophet Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones and asks if these bones could be people again. Only God knows for sure, Ezekiel replies. God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones that God will make them whole. As Ezekiel does so, tendons and flesh reappear on the bones.

“Was there a time when you didn’t know what God’s plan was, or if He was really leading you as we believe that He does?” asked DeMichael.

The class shared times when they felt as if they’d been dropped in the middle of a desolate place — health problems, home evictions, doubts as to how they’ve been called to follow God.

“If you’re Ezekiel and God asks, ‘Can these bones live?’ it might feel like you’re being asked a ridiculous question. So, what’s an appropriate response to God?” asked DeMichael. “We can be in a dry, desolate, hopeless place, and if we’re stuck, we might say, ‘There is no hope, only dryness here.’ But if we are consumed with Scripture and the ways of God, even in the dark moments, we know that what He says will happen. It’s very encouraging to know that the ‘dry place’ is not the end of the story.”

Monday: Family Fun

Family Fun Night continued the theme “Live It Out.” The air buzzed with the sounds of children happily running around, while adults kept a watchful eye and teens joined in the fun. Activities to choose from included wall climbing, face painting, balloon castles and slides, swings, pony rides, a petting farm, and both live and recorded music, and of course shopping at the Trade Store set up in the pavilion.

Tuesday: An Evening of Music

Tuesday night’s concert launched with “High Octane,” composed by Marcus Venables. Brass and percussion came together as the NYSB filled the room with fantastic energy. The ETSS sang a beautiful arrangement of “All Creatures of Our God and King” and “In All I Do” before Charlie Green joined the NYSB for heartfelt interpretations of “Free” and “Make Me a Blessing.” Green said he used to watch the OOB meetings online “as a young Salvationist lad from the U.K.”

The ETSS returned with “He Will Hold Me Fast,” which echoed the devotional message from Commissioner Barbara Howell. She cited Isaiah 41:13 and Psalm 94:18–19, verses that remind us that even when our faith falters or we feel overwhelmed, God holds us fast — not because of our strength, but because of His.

A full-scale multimedia presentation of “King of Kings,” depicting the life and ministry of Jesus, ended the evening on a high note. Performed by the NYSB and narrated by Colonel Richard Munn, it captivated the audience through the music, the storytelling, and a mesmerizing display of photographs, video clips, stage props, whimsical cartoons, and dance. The piece recently premiered at the Hershey Lodge during Commissioning. At the heart of the presentation this time was a recap video that highlighted the experience of Old Orchard Beach 2025.

OOB 2026

Territorial Secretary for Program Lt. Colonel Margaret Davis reminded everyone to mark their calendar now for OOB 2026, which will happen July 25–31 with a change in format.

“Camp meetings will begin on Saturday evening and go through Friday evening,” she said. “We are excited about this new format that will give us wonderful opportunities for worship, for evangelism, and for the study of God’s Word.”

Make sure to book your hotel!