from the President's pen
by Rev. Roger W. Overmyer
APRIL 2010
A few notes of PHC history taken from the booklet, "Sandusky Union Holiness Association (Portage Holiness Camp) 10th Anniversary, 1878-1978."
In 1876-1878, the Sandusky Conference of the United Brethren in Christ Church was praying for a more effective work in teaching and spreading Scriptural Holiness received by faith subsequent to regeneration. A meeting was held at the Mt. Zion UB Church, May 28, 1978 with Rev. T.D. Ingle of Napoleon, Ohio as one of the prime movers. Officers elected were: President T.D. Ingle, Secretary, S.A. Myers, Treasurer, Wm Mathes. Other members: D. Glancy, O.H.Ramsey, D. S. Caldwell, S. T. Lane, J. W. Eastman, S. H. Radebaugh, J. V. Potts. A. J. Klingle and John Ridley.
In 1879 Camp was held at Swail Camp in Crawford County; in 1881 at Bay Shore in Sandusky County; Petersburg camp in Wyandot County was leased for ten years. D. O. Tussing and Hiriam Ackers were appointed to locate permanent grounds and found 12 1/2 acres. Bro. Dienst offered it to the camp for $1400 and in 132 years look where God has brought us.
The purpose has been to keep PHC on Scriptural grounds, where the whole gospel and nothing but the gospel shall be proclaimed. The camp has weathered many storms, but God has blessed and kept her steady. The final paragraph in this booklet read: Let us do our best to carry the torch of scriptural holiness so that the coming generations, if the Lord tarries, can also know this wonderful truth. As president, I see PHC has a great heritage and my prayer is, Lord help us to hold even higher the banner of holiness in a day when the message is not heard like it was few generations ago.
Camp is only four months away and I trust you have been praying for the coming camp. In this newsletter you will see who the workers are for this year and who will be here for concert night. Revivals and camp meetings are birthed in the prayer closets. I have read of great revivals and camp meetings of the past but my heart desires to be a part of one. Pray with me to that end.
I talked to our treasurer in March and he said nearly $2000 has been sent in since January for the coming camp. THANKS BE UNTO OUR LORD. I am sure a good amount will be coming before camp in August. This helps in that there will not be need of great pressure for offerings during camp time. Our giving last year was over $30,000 for workers, utilities, insurances and improvements and our need for this year will be about the same. Some may think this a tremendous amount but with every one doing their part, the needed amount will be received. In thinking of the cost, if one soul gains heaven because of PHC, it will be worth it all.
Thanks again for praying for the camp and for giving to the ongoing of the ministry of the camp. See you August 4-14 at PHC.
Roger W. Overmyer
NOVEMBER 2009
Last summer I thought God's favorite colors were blue sky and green grass and leaves. But several weeks ago He took out his big box of crayolas and began changing the scenery and what a beautiful job He did. Then someone tries to tell us that it just happpened. No way. GOD DID IT! He likes to hear our oohs and ahs when we look at all the beautiful leaves he has colored. I know we sometimes complain about the job of raking the leaves and getting our yards back into shape but I will like it all.
This beautiful fall causes me to remember our third grade teacher, my dad's also, Miss Mattie Heckman who made us memorize poems and bits and pieces of one I recall is, "the frost is on the pumpkins, the corn is turing brown, the trees in apple orchards with fruit are bending down". It surely is a beautiful time of the year that our Lord has given us to enjoy.
Even though PORTAGE HOLINESS CAMP MEETING has passed, I am still reminded of some of the mesages that were given by our evangelists and the songs sung by our musicians. What an inspiring time and I am sure many who attended would say the same. I am looking forward to August 4th when the Keeling Family will be back for the Wednesday night concert and then August 5-15, 2010 when we willl gain be hearing from the Word by our evangelists Rev. Lane Loman and Rev. Claude Nicholas and songs by our musician Gary Bonds. I hope you are prayng for PHC 2010 and planning to be with us for that great time in fellowship and worshipping the Lord together at PHC.
Recently I read a booklet by Dr. Dennis Kinlaw entitled VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING and in it he tells while in college, some missionaries of some of his fellow classmates, visited the campus. They had been imprisoned when Japan overran China and Brother Kinlaw became endeared to these students and their parents. These parents show no self pity and spoke of not just surrender but total surrender, not just consecration but complete consecration. They spoke of being "filled with the Holy Spirit", "entire sanctification", "death to self" and being "crucified with Christ". These terms are seldom heard today. Brother Kinlaw sensed these dear missionaries showed something he felt that he did not feel was evident in his spiritual life and his heart hungered for what they showed. He studied the word and prayed and God faithfully led him to the time he totally surrendered his life to the Lord and completely consecrated his all to Jesus.
We thank the Lord for what He is doing in our midst today but I am sure many long to see people who are totally surrendered to the will of the Lord, people who are have competely consecrated their all to him and are letting him use them as he sees fit. We can read church history about some of the great revivals of the past but my prayer is, OH LORD, DO IT AGAIN! It has been some time since the last Asbury Revival. If would be great to see another Asbury Revival sweep across our land. I trust you will pray with me to this end. OH LORD, LET IT BEGIN AT PORTAGE HOLINESS CAMP.
I am sure you remember at last camp we mentioned how there needed to be some up-dating on our sewer system. Some work is planned for this fall and some for the spring. I am praying that as the different phases of the project are completed the funds will be on hand to care for the expenses because God's people are always faithful in their giving. We thank the Lord for some individuals who are giving their equipment for these projects at no cost so the materials will be the major cost. We will keep you posted with the progress of these projects.
From the home of your president and his wife, we wish you dear folk a great THANKSGIVNG AND CHRISTMAS time with your families.
Roger Overmyer
