Great Lakes Conference
Summer, 2008

Camp Otyokwah, OH

It has been an exciting and interesting season of youth camps! We ministered to 375 campers with a large portion of them (113) attending senior high week. This was a small drop from last year’s overall attendance of 387 campers. The volunteer staff did a great job of providing fun, Bible-based experiences despite some rainy weeks. Use of the Blob was delayed due to the county building department but was a big hit during the last three weeks! The second half of the summer will be filled with five full weeks of rental groups ranging from 100-170 guests each week. Please pray for continued strength and endurance as we serve these people.

Camp received a generous gift of $1000 from the Birchhaven Retirement Village Board in memory of Paul Gnagy. After talking with members of the Gnagy family, part of the money was used to purchase a high-resolution camera to help provide quality images for camp promotions. We are still looking at camp needs to determine how to utilize the remainder of the funds.

Camp would like to be able to offer hay rides as it did in the past. If you have a good used hay wagon you would be willing to donate or offer at a much reduced price, please contact Camp Otyokwah at 419-883-3854 or markdubler@aol.com.

This fall we hope to upgrade our website, so be sure to visit our site from time to time to check on changes. Our website address is www.otyokwah.org. Also, the Board of Trustees will meet to review and update camp’s overall master plan. Please pray for wisdom and guidance in this area. Have a blessed summer!

Mark Dubler, Executive Director

Camp Otyokwah Capital Fund
“Building the Future Together - Now”

An updated report of the “Building the Future Together Now” Capital Fund Campaign shows we are 56.65% of the way to reaching our goal of $800,000.

Because insurance receipts have been greater than anticipated, the balance owed on the building loan at this time is $138,572 However, the campaign continues to need to raise $346,775 in order to reach the goal of $800,000. This amount reflects the $453,225 that has been given in gifts and pledges toward the goal (some of this amount is yet to be paid). In reaching the goal, the camp project will be able to begin working toward replacing the basketball court and building a new bath house.

Of the current giving toward the campaign, the western region has contributed $190,761, the central region has contributed $218,428, and the eastern region has contributed $24,730. Additional giving has come from the northern region, out-of-state folks and organizations.

Thank you for all that you have given and will be giving during the remainder of this campaign.

Check us out

at www.otyokwah.org

“Money Jug” Update

In January jugs were distributed to all the Great Lakes Conference churches to collect change to go toward the indebtedness of Hopewell Hall. They were to be returned at the 8th Annual Conference- In-Session. A total of $5,154.83 was collected and we sincerely thank those of you who carried those heavy jugs and saw that they got to conference! Thank you for giving so generously.

Conference in Session Pictures

Hopewell Celebrating 150 years!

Hopewell Church of God will be celebrating their 150th anniversary on Sunday, September 7th, at 3:00 p.m.

There will be games, music, food, prizes, an old-fashioned camp meeting on the grounds and the dedication of their new bell tower (see photo). They are inviting all former members and pastors of Hopewell to come and see their renovations and take part in this celebration. If anyone has any historical items or photos regarding Hopewell Church, please contact Pastor Terry at hopewellchurchofgod@bright.net.

‘08 Fall CGWM Rally

CGGC Women from across the state of Ohio will be gathering at the CGGC Christian Ministries Center, 700 E Melrose, Findlay on Saturday, October 4th. They will gather at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and the program will begin at 10:00. The program titled “Different, but United” will be led by speaker, Luann Hefflefinger and she will be looking at personalities and how, even though we are different in personality, likes and dislikes, we can be more united and loving. The theme verse is Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in peace.”

A special offering will be taken to go toward the purchase of a folding machine for the Great Lakes Conference office and the Love Offering will go to the Hooghan Nizhoni Vehicle Expense CCM account.

The CGWM director and planning committee would love to see ladies, representing all of our Ohio Great Lakes Conference churches, attend the rally. It is a great time for fellowship, encouragement, and building up the body of Christ.

Mission Projects

Church News

Sympathy to

...Joanne Summey. Her brother, Gary Porter, passed away in Connecticut on February 7.

Pray for

...Churches without pastors: Arthur Center, Eagle, Icthus, Pathway, and Union Chapel

...Churches seeking an Ass’t Pastor: New Haven and Seville

Our Congrats to

...Kay Reinehr, secretary to The Foundation, on her recent graduation from Ashland College. Kay earned her clinical counseling degree and has since received a license to practice.

…Tim and Denise Eding on the recent marriage of their second son, Andy, to Stacey in Russell, Kentucky. Tim officiated in the ceremony.