What does a camper remember when they come home from Oil Belt?

Maybe it’s jumping into the pool with friends. A ridiculous game. Staying up too late in the dorm. A favorite meal. Singing at worship. A counselor who made them laugh.

This summer, parents were asked what their campers talked about most after coming home.

One parent simply answered: “Jesus!” Another shared, “He came home WANTING to pray without being asked.” One said their daughter was “getting reconnected to God.” Another camper came home talking about “being baptized, finding Jesus and how she can’t wait for next year.”

Of course, there were plenty of answers about swimming, games, food, friendships, music, campfires and all the fun of camp, too. And that's exactly how it should be.

A swimming pool doesn't teach a Bible lesson. A bunk bed doesn't tell a camper about Jesus. A projector doesn't preach a sermon. A chair doesn't lead someone to Christ. But all of those things help create an environment where relationships are built, questions are asked, God's Word is opened, and a camper has the opportunity to meet Jesus.

The environment isn't the mission. It creates an environment for the mission to happen.

This summer, 2,158 campers experienced that environment at Oil Belt. And because of friends like you, that environment continues to get better.

Last year, the Fill the ARC campaign began with a $360,000 goal to prepare the Activities and Recreation Center for the thousands of people who gather there each year. You have already given $201,000 toward that vision. Thank you!

Because of that generosity, new projectors are hanging in the ARC. Sound and lighting have been upgraded. Electrical improvements have been completed. Five hundred new chairs are being put to use.

Last year's appeal described the goal as “Fill the ARC with people ready to meet Jesus.”  And now there is one major piece left.

The bleachers.

For years, portable metal bleachers borrowed from the county fairgrounds have helped provide seating in the ARC. They have served Oil Belt well, but they were never intended to be permanent.  The final phase of Fill the ARC will replace them with permanent electric bleachers.

The bleachers won't preach a sermon. They won't lead worship. They won't open a Bible. But someone sitting on them will hear God's Word.

A teenager may worship from them during a packed event. A camper may sit beside a counselor who takes the time to listen. A family may hear the Gospel together. And someday, someone sitting there may go home talking about Jesus. That's why this matters.

As of October 1, 2026 there is approximately $159,000 remaining to complete the original $360,000 Fill the ARC vision.

Would you consider making a special year-end gift to help finish Fill the ARC?

To give, simply mail a check to Oil Belt with "Fill the ARC" in the memo. Or, give online at the link below and selecting Fill the ARC in the secure donation form.

The goal has never been to fill the ARC with projectors, chairs, lights or bleachers. The goal is to fill it with people. People who will worship. People who will hear God's Word. People who will build relationships. People who will meet Jesus.

Thank you for already bringing this project so far and for helping create the kind of place where a camper can go home and tell Mom and Dad the thing they remember most: “Jesus!”

I want to help Fill the ARC - click here