Streator | Severe weather wasn’t going to put a damper on Streator Baptist Camp’s D-Now weekend.
Students gather in Streator Baptist Camp’s storm shelter.
More than 100 students from grades 6 through 12 and volunteer leaders were impacted when a strong storm threatened northern Illinois on Friday, April 17. The camp’s new manager, Anthony Heathcoat, had a severe weather plan in place that had to be implemented.
Campers were moved to a storm shelter for the duration of the severe weather threat. However, students from Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria began spontaneously singing worship songs. Soon everyone joined in.
“It could have been unnerving and scary for the students being in the basement of an old farmhouse, but they took it upon themselves to start leading,” said Jeff Marquardt, Woodland’s Interim Children and Youth Associate Minister. “All you could see was smiling faces, people praising God, and good times in a midst of chaos.”
Anthony Heathcoat, Streator Camp manager, monitors the weather.
Marquardt added he’s very proud of the students and loved seeing how God was moving in everyone’s heart. He took videos and pictures to send to parents who were also sheltering in place back home.
Meanwhile, Heathcoat kept his eyes on the skies and checked the weather until he could tell campgoers they could safely exit the shelter.
The focus for the weekend was the truth of the gospel. Students were able to deepen their faith with worship and Bible studies.
“For two days our students had limited distractions in order to see the eternal importance of the gospel and how it can change their lives,” said Andy Peterson, Family Minister at Western Oaks Baptist Church in Springfield. “That truth has either been planted or watered in every heart, and now we pray that God will give growth.”