MIDDLETOWN, Md. — Thirty-year-old Brandan Ehrmantraut couldn’t wait to get to camp. He’d gone last year for the first time and knew the fun he’d have.
“I really love the waterslide, the zipline, the pool and playing basketball,” Ehrmantraut said. But he also loved the friends he’d made, the confidence he’d gained and the presence of God he’d felt.
The Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware’s (BCM/D) Everyone Belongs Camp for people with disabilities began as a dream and has exploded into an ever-growing, joyful, God-given reality. Now in its fourth year, attendance has quadrupled, with more than 115 campers, buddies and additional volunteers.
“The camp is something you have to experience yourself to fully appreciate,” said BCM/D staff accountant Margot Painter, who co-directed the camp with BCM/D disability missionary Katie Matthews. “There’s nothing else like it.”
There was an atmosphere of anticipation at the registration table, which was covered with custom name badges and T-shirts with the camp theme, “God Loves Us, We Love God, We Love Others.” The weekend included meals together, Bible studies and worship time, a campfire, swimming, a zipline, a waterslide, games, art, basketball, a talent show and a much-anticipated dance complete with a conga line.
Tommy Rowe, pastor of The Gathering Place Church in Bowie, Md., who served as camp pastor, challenged campers with the questions: “How does it make you feel to know that God loves you? How can you express your love back to God? How can you show love to others?” By the camp’s end, about 10 individuals responded for prayer during an altar call.
Campers are often out of their comfort zones at Everyone Belongs Camp. But buddies and volunteers are always nearby to encourage and help out.
“I’m scared of heights. Going on that zipline was a big step,” said Ehrmantraut. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends…. It was like a big family.”
New buddies were a little nervous at first, but were quickly in the mix and having fun, including John Mackall, associational mission strategist for the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, and his wife Michelle.
“I was a buddy to a gifted basketball player,” Michelle said. “I am serious when I tell you he may miss only once every five shots. He did not speak a lot, so you savored the moments when he did. One of my favorite moments was when I caught the basketball as it bounced off the backboard and heard, ‘Nice catch!’”
A parent of one camper said she appreciated the lack of technology. “That encourages getting outside,” she said. Another parent said she liked the opportunity campers had for developing their social skills.
Everyone Belongs Camp capped off a month-long disability ministry emphasis in the BCM/D, including a newly designated BCM/D Disability Sunday on the second Sunday of July, in partnership with the Southern Baptists of Texas.
Participating Maryland/Delaware churches used materials developed by the BCM/D to spotlight this area of ministry and families and individuals affected by disability. Following Disability Sunday, the convention had a week of prayer emphasizing disability ministry. Churches can still use these quality materials anytime.
BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle, whose son, Jimmy, is affected by non-verbal autism, said he is excited to have the opportunity to let individuals and families know, “We see you, we love you, and we want to include you in the church. Jesus died for you too.”
