What is Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings?
The Salvation Army Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings are a series of annual religious gatherings held by The Salvation Army in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The events take place at the Seaside Pavilion and the Old Orchard Beach Pier and last several days. The main focus of the camp meetings and pier ministry is to provide a space for spiritual renewal and growth through worship services, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and other activities. The camp meetings and pier festival are also an opportunity for attendees to connect with others who share their faith and to build relationships that can last a lifetime and is open to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Canadian Staff Songsters
Music is an integral part of Salvation Army ministry around the world, and the Canada and Bermuda Territory is no exception. The territory’s vocal ministry received a boost in the fall of 2016 with the formation of the Canadian Staff Songsters, under the leadership of Major Len Ballantine. The Salvation Army in Canada had a staff songster brigade in its early days, but such a group has not existed for about 100 years.
The brigade has shared in ministry across the province of Ontario, including on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and in the annual Christmas With The Salvation Army events at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall, in Calgary, Chicago and Bermuda. The group is delighted to minister at the Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings as together we celebrate our faith and joy in all things music-making for God’s glory.
Chapel Bible Study
Lt. Colonel John Murray was born in Digby, Nova Scotia to Salvation Army officer parents and spent most of his younger years in Toronto.
In 1987, he married Brenda Brown, also a child of Salvation Army officers and in 1994, they entered the Toronto College for Officer Training from Woodroffe Temple, Ottawa as part of the “Messengers of the Truth” Session. They were commissioned and ordained as Salvation Army officers in 1996 with their first appointment being Sydney Citadel in Nova Scotia.
In the annual move of 2017, he was appointed as Territorial Public Relations and Development Secretary at Territorial Headquarters in Toronto and after a year, was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel and moved into the office of Territorial Secretary for Communications.
He is currently the Chair, Toronto Grace Health Centre Board of Trustees and has been appointed as Executive Officer for the Canadian Staff Songsters.
John holds a BA from York University, Toronto, a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations and Communications Management from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC, and an MA in Leadership from the University of Guelph. John has also completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Certificate, Non-Profit Leadership. He is also an accredited APR (Canadian Public Relations Society) and holds the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation. John and Brenda delight in their four sons, Zachary, Liam, Kieran, and Nathan and when he’s not working, John enjoys golfing, cycling and photography.
Kids Meetings
Children’s Meetings will be offered for the children (ages 6 months to 9 years) of parents attending the camp meetings. Registration will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of meetings at the Seaside Pavilion.
Preschool children (ages 3-5) will be in their own space in the Gym at the OOB Corps and will only be united with elementary aged children during the Bible Story Time. Nursery care will be provided for children 6 months to 2 years. Meetings for all ages will run Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.
Join us Monday night for Family Fun Night at the Seaside Pavilion!
