Sixty years ago, on February 4, 1952, Charles Lindbergh (1902) and Rosa Parks (1913) celebrated birthdays. Meanwhile in an office in Bay City, Michigan, a 39-year old pastor signed the papers and purchased the property known today as the Shear Lake home of Camp Barakel.

Summing up our founder's vision in a single sentence is a tough assignment, because he loved to tell story after story to convey what was on his heart. However it is right to say that more than anything he wanted to believe God, trust God, and obey God in such a way that anyone who witnessed the work of camp would lift their eyes and their voice heavenward and thank God, praise God, rejoice in God, and believe Him too.

I thank God that sixty years later, our desire is the same. We exist to give a thoroughly Biblical declaration of the glories of God (He is infinitely glorious!), with a view to encouraging others to join us in our worship—and to demonstrate that worship by being radically obedient in all areas of our lives.

Story after story tells about how God has used Barakel in the past 60 years, and at least one of those stories includes our family. We have been greatly blessed during our 28 years here. Glory to God alone! I wonder what the next 60 years will be like.