By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
EUNICE, La. (LBM) – David Guillot came to Acadian Baptist Center in the summer of 1977 just hoping to have a fun time, but he also gained a personal relationship with Jesus, he said.
Now a physician and member of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, Guillot still recalls the eternal impact the camp made on him.
“I believe that a believer in Christ’s spiritual eternity begins at the moment of salvation,” Guillot told the Baptist Message. “And for years when I shared my testimony I’ve said, ‘As an eight-year-old boy I asked Christ to be my Savior at ABC in Eunice.’ So, Acadian Baptist Center is very special to me.”
Guillot was among many who reminisced about the life-changing impact Acadian Baptist Center had on them during ABC’s 50th year anniversary celebration, Nov. 9. Held on the grounds of the Eunice camp, the event featured music led by a band of former ABC staffers, testimonies and a challenge by Oren Conner, former staffer and now pastor, Greenwell Springs Baptist Church.
There also was a groundbreaking ceremony for the James and Diana Robinson worship center in appreciation of the couple’s stellar commitment to the camp.
James is an alum of ABC and his dad, Nathan, served as pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Eunice.
LASTING LEGACY
For 50 years, ABC has seen the Holy Spirit move in the hearts of campers, with nearly 16,000 who have made dramatic decisions: 8,551 professed Christ as Lord, 6,546 restored fellowship with the Lord and 698 surrendered to vocational ministry.
Originally a school, from 1917 to 1973, ABC was formed after local leaders received permission to lease the facilities for what became the camp in 1975.
During the first year of operations, about 3,000 people attended events at the camp. Today, attendance has swelled to over 20,000 per year and the staff includes eight full-time workers, approximately 30 part-timers and numerous volunteers.
Through the years, ABC has worked hard to improve and grow its facilities. Not limited to tents or bunk rooms, Acadian Baptist Center can comfortably host 650 campers at a time in a motel facility, cabins and dormitories. They have built a worship center, swimming pool, lake and dining hall, and have expanded meeting areas, outdoor courses and recreational facilities.
James Newsom, who began as a summer camp staff member, and met his wife Shannon here before becoming director in 1989, has enjoyed seeing the children of staff members take part, as well as witnessing so many campers encounter the Lord through the ministries hosted by ABC.
“It’s always a great time when people return to our camp where they first may have met Jesus, or grown in their walk with Him,” Newsom said. “They look at
ABC as a spiritual marker where they became close to God and encountered him in a special way, maybe for the first time.
“Knowing that people make a decision for Jesus ultimately is why we are here,” he continued. “It’s exciting to see the tangible result of lives being changed. It makes all the work, sweat and prayers worthwhile.”
FORWARD FOCUS
Looking to the future, ABC continues to make progress on a its “Further With Him” capital campaign, Newsom said, having surpassed the initial goal of $1.8 million, topping $2.8 million to date. The money has funded wastewater treatment plant upgrades and will help add 80 beds in the new dorms as well as expand the worship center with 20 Bible study rooms.
“It’s all to reach the new generation,” Newsom said. “We want to touch lives for Christ with our camp and retreat ministry.”
