STORY
Ohio Conference Baptizes 13 Young People at Summer Camp
August 16, 2023
Francis Tuffour
The Ohio Conference ended its 2023 summer youth camp at Camp Mohaven, celebrating young people giving their lives to Jesus and expressing their decisions publicly through baptisms. The camp, organized on different dates for diverse age groups, began with the Cub Camp for the kids between 6-9 years on June 11-17, followed by the Junior Camp on June 18-24 for ages 9-12. The Tween campers also had their turn on June 25-July 1. Between July 2-9, a family camp was scheduled for all ages, and the Teen campers attended on July 9-15.
This year’s camp, themed: “The Ultimate Promise,” had four pastors who came to speak to the attendees as follows: Cub Camp: Quentin Purvis, Junior Camp: Dale Sheridan, Tween Camp: Johnny Villamil, Family Camp, and Teen Camp: Jeff Akenberger. A week before the arrival of the campers, the camp staff came to the venue to ensure everything was lined up for successful camping. Apart from their physical preparation, the staff crowned their meeting with an agape meal and the Lord’s supper.
Joseph Ottinger, the new Youth Ministries Director of Ohio Conference, who started his role in January this year, noted, “This year has been a unique experience for me as the first year that I've been directly involved with summer Camp Ministry. I've been very excited about the staff that we've had. It's a group of young people who are committed to Jesus and developing a relationship on their own with him, as well as helping campers have a fun experience at Camp Mohaven, but also deepen their relationship with Jesus.” He complimented his administrative staff and managers of Camp Mohaven for their unique contributions.
Elias Esquivel, Camp Mohaven Ranger, emphasized the blessings of camping, “It always amazes me that summer camp is such a powerful tool for young people, for adults, and everybody, and anyone that comes through the summer camp program. When you leave, you leave blessed. And I think one of the main reasons is because you learn how to become a blessing to others.”
The campers received spiritual messages, performed group activities, and socialized with others. One of the key highlights was the baptism ceremonies held on different days for the 13 people who got baptized. “What I like about camp is working in a group and as a team. That has given me vibe and environment, and also being able to minister to campers and seeing one of my campers got baptized,” reports Patrick Niyonzima, camp staff member. While some campers were frequent attendees, others had it for the first time. Sharing her experience, Shania Mamarimbing, a first-time camper, said, “The teamwork among the staff and everyone has really impressed me. Everyone is always willing to help each other no matter what.”
Kim Myers, Assistant Director for the summer camp who could not hide her joy, shared: “I always enjoy watching the many ways God works at summer camp. His blessings and miracles have continued throughout this summer as well. It has been a pleasure to work with our staff and interact with our campers this summer.” Ottinger also expressed his excitement about the young people who gave their lives to Jesus in baptisms.
share this
Related Stories
Led by Elder Mark Mirek and Diana Mirek, teachers at Piqua Adventist Christian School, eight students played a central role in leading Education Day at the Lima Seventh-day Adventist Church, highlighting the value of Adventist Christian education. The students actively participated in the worship service, taking part in Scripture reading, prayer, congregational singing, and instrumental music. Their musical contributions featured a variety of instruments, including the keyboard, banjo, double bass, cajón, and castanets. A highlight of the service was a powerful personal testimony shared by Elder Mark Mirek. He spoke emotionally about his journey from atheism to faith in Jesus Christ, and how that transformation ultimately led him to a calling in Adventist education. His message resonated deeply with the congregation and underscored the life-changing impact of faith-based learning. The presence and participation of the students were a meaningful blessing to the church community. “It was truly inspiring to see these young people so engaged in worship and ministry,” said First Elder Courtney Simons. “Their involvement is a testament to the strong spiritual foundation being built at Piqua Adventist Christian School.” Following the service, members expressed appreciation for the students’ contributions and the school’s commitment to nurturing both academic excellence and Christian character. Events like Education Day continue to strengthen the connection between the church and its school, reminding all in attendance of the importance of investing in the next generation. At Piqua Adventist Christian School, students are provided with an environment that integrates faith and learning, encouraging them to develop spiritually, academically, and socially. Programs like Education Day offer students valuable opportunities to serve, lead, and share their faith within the broader church community.
On Sunday, April 26, the Ohio Conference Youth Ministries Department hosted a training event for the Alive in Jesus Sabbath School curriculum at the First SDA Hispanic Church of Columbus. Approximately 65 teachers representing the Baby, Beginner, Kindergarten, and Primary divisions attended, united in their commitment to strengthening children’s ministries. The training was conducted in both English and Spanish, allowing for broader participation and engagement. Participants took part in practical sessions focused on effective teaching and long-term discipleship. They also received resources to support and strengthen their local Sabbath School programs. The Ohio Conference Youth Ministries Department acknowledged the North American Division instructors for leading and enriching the training experience. The department also recognized the strong participation and the commitment to guiding children into a growing relationship with Jesus. For more information about the curriculum, visit: https://www.aliveinjesus.info
Mansfield Seventh-day Adventist Christian School’s robotics team recently earned top honors at a FIRST Lego League regional competition held at Takoma Academy in Maryland, securing a championship invitation after an outstanding all-around performance. In preparation for the event, the team dedicated extensive time to building and programming an autonomous LEGO robot designed to complete a series of challenges on the competition field. In addition, students researched a real-world problem, developed a creative solution, and presented their findings to judges. Competing under the name “Archaeolo-Cows,” the team demonstrated excellence beyond technical performance. They received the Core Values Award for their strong collaboration, positive attitude, and encouragement of fellow competitors. The team also earned second place overall, reflecting high achievement across all areas of judging. Their success has earned them an invitation to the FIRST Lego League Adventist Robotics Championship, which will take place at Forest Lake Academy in Apopka, Florida. The team is composed of students in grades 4–8, bringing together a range of experience and enthusiasm. Zedd, a four-year veteran of the robotics team, said, “What I enjoyed about the tournament was meeting new people and seeing different styles of teams.” Felisa, one of the younger team members, added, “It was really fun working with our team.” Those interested in supporting the team’s journey to the championship may contribute through the Archaeolo-Cows’ GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-archaeolocows-reach-nationals
STAY UP TO DATE
GET CONFERENCE'S LATEST
Receive monthly updates from the conference, and get a heads up on upcoming events.
Contact Us
