Annual Report 2020

Annual Report 2020 | 5
GOD IS STILL SHOWING UP TO CHANGE LIVES
151 years in the making
In 2020, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting accepted the challenge to
overcome uncertainty and confusion. The Camp Meeting encouraged
everyone to embrace their blessings and hope. For the Chambers family,
summer would not have been complete without the OGCMA.
Orie and his wife Tara drove through the gates of Ocean Grove on a
day trip and realized how special this town was and saw it as a perfect fit
for their family. The Chambers have been coming to Ocean Grove since
2014. The family, including Jadon 19, Ethan 16, Madelyn 14, Morgan 11,
Megan 5, and their parents, Tara and Orie, is very involved in all aspects
of the Camp Meeting. It has become a safe place for their children to
interact with the community and make friends while hearing about Jesus.
This year on the last day of school, laptops closed and the kitchen
table cleared of schoolwork. Packing up the auto and driving towards
the Atlantic Ocean, the Chambers were longing for the smell of the
ocean air as a welcome relief inside the gates of Ocean Grove.
Adapting to a slower pace with fewer activities this summer resulted
in more relaxation and family time. "Our children have been especially
enamored with the Youth Leaders - they have poured everything into our
children and have become a part of their everyday life all year long.”
Speaking with Tara, you can hear the importance of the community
blessings that appear all year long through friendships created here in
Ocean Grove. "Summer days and evenings are busy for our family, we
participate in Breakfast Club, Riptide, Thornley, Freestyle, The Current,
New Beginnings and end our evenings at Day's Ice Cream with friends."
Tara enjoys spending time with her daughters helping to sort books for
the Book Sale, volunteering at the Bazaar bake table, and serving Ice
Cream at the Ice Cream Social.
At the end of the Summer, the Chambers family reflected on the
season and what God revealed to them during this time - realizing the
true impact of the moments that had passed here in Ocean Grove and
most importantly the love shown by the people who make up the Camp
Meeting. "Love was strongly displayed for our son, Jadon who was
diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer, in October.
It was during this time we were reminded why God helped us to land in
Ocean Grove in the first place. The love and support shown by the folks
at the Camp Meeting as well as the community during the most
challenging times our family has ever faced has been incredible. We are
so blessed to be part of Ocean Grove."