Family Camp Meeting 2025: Communing with Christ amidst Crisis
- Illinois Conference Communications
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Matthew J. Lucio
Assistant to the President for Communication
Around 200 people gathered at Camp Akita for the Illinois Conference's 2025 Family Camp Meeting, held from July 30 to August 2. This year’s theme was “Communing with Christ Amidst Crisis.”
On Wednesday evening, devotional speaker Pastor Bill Kasper (Hinsdale) urged the group to move beyond the desire to have "just enough Jesus," to get by, spiritually.
Pastor Jon Remitera (EPIC) began his seminar series on Thursday morning with "Christ, Crisis, and the Church." Remitera probed history and Scripture for reasons why the church grew despite periods of crisis, challenging his audience to see crises as opportunities.
Between meetings, there was plenty of time to enjoy Camp Akita’s activities—from zip-lining, tubing, and rock climbing to horseback riding and visiting the animals at the nature center. The weather could not have been better.
ILC President John Grys gave the opening address from the Pathfinder Pavilion on Friday night, encouraging people to follow Christ and not to become addicted to crises for meaning.
The sabbath service opened with music from Gail and Roger Dickman (Glen Ellyn) followed by a sabbath school facilitated Matthew and Laura Lucio (ILC Communication + Women's Ministries, respectively).
Saturday’s main worship and evening program featured Jerry Page (retired General Conference Associate Ministerial Secretary). Drawing from 42 years of ministry, Page reflected, “Most of my crises have had to do with a relationship problem.” Pointing to Philippians 2, he urged listeners to adopt the mindset of Christ in all relationships.
Attendees were also greeted by a surprise guest - Ken Denslow - the former ILC and Lake Union Conference president, who took to the stage to talk about Hope Channel and Project Amigo, a mission partnership between the Lake Union (including the Illinois Conference) and the South Peru Union.
On Sabbath afternoon, Hinsdale Adventist Academy's Alice Hyde gave a beautiful concert. Afterwards, a hayride and watermelon feed carried the fellowship into supper, where, in keeping with tradition, pastors and Conference staff served haystacks.
A special highlight came Saturday evening when three staff members were baptized. As the sun dipped behind the trees, many were moved to tears seeing fellow staff gathered to support them.
The 2025 Family Camp Meeting came to a close, but for those whose lives were transformed, it marked the beginning of something new.
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