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The
History of Camp Willow Run
Owned and operated by Youth Camps for Christ, Inc., Camp
Willow Run is a non-profit, interdenominational Christian
camp and retreat center located on beautiful Lake Gaston
near Littleton, NC.
Built on a unique railroad theme, Camp Willow Run began
in 1968 as a day camp and opened as a co-ed residential
camp in the summer of 1970. Southern Railway donated 14
boxcars that serve as dormitories for the campers. In 1971,
Norfolk and Western donated 8 boxcars and 2 baggage cars.
All dormitories are paneled, electrically heated and air-conditioned
and equipped with bathrooms for up to ten campers and staff.
Exciting weeks aboard the "good ol' Gospel train"
are available during the summer months for the general public
to send their children and youth, grades 3-5, 6-8, 7-9 and
9-12. Other weeks are designed to reach out to youth with
special needs through our sponsorship program. Church groups
can also hold their own camping programs during designated
weeks. Willow Run hosts Christian groups for a retreat ministry
from September through May. Each October, CWR leads a Mother-Daughter
Legacy retreat. In the spring, the camp leads a Father-Son
B*U*I*L*D retreat. In November, a Super High retreat is
held for church youth groups. Other camp-led retreats are
being planned.
The faith that brought the camp into being originated
in the hearts of the Reverend Erbie W. Mangum, Jr. and his
wife, Linda. God motivated them and showed them the direction.
He also motivated hundreds of wonderful and generous people
whose time and resources actually built Camp Willow Run.
On June 16, 1975, death claimed the earthly life of Mr.
Mangum. In September of 1977, Linda married Robert T. Harris
of Littleton. She is continuing her work at Camp Willow
Run as Executive Director.
The camp presently has 22 boxcars, a caboose, a 1911 Baldwin
locomotive, two baggage cars, a replica 1890 depot dining
hall, Fellowship Hall, Lakeside conference room, administration
center, gymnasium and a small field house meeting room.
The newest facility, The Junction, was built in 1997. This
is a meeting room for up to 100 people plus the camp store.
During the summer camping sessions, up to 180 campers can
be enrolled. Up to 220 campers can be accommodated during
retreat season.
Our Purpose
To establish and operate Christian camps for young people
to:
- Win them to Jesus Christ.
- Mature those already Christian.
- Show them you can be Christian and have fun.
Our Doctrine
Youth Camps for Christ, Inc./Camp Willow Run accepts the brief Articles of Faith as follows:
- That the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired
of God, and is a perfect treasure of Heavenly instruction.
- That God eternally exists in three persons, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- That man, created in a state of holiness under God,
fell into the bondage of sin through the temptation of
Satan.
- That salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through
the atonement of our sins by the Lord Jesus Christ, who
by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took
upon him our nature, yet without sin, truly God and truly
man.
- That the blessings of salvation are made free to all
by the Gospel, and upon repentance and faith, all true
believers endure to the end by the power of God.
- That the Lord Jesus Christ, who was resurrected from
the tomb and ascended into Heaven, will visibly and personally
return to this earth in power and glory.
Our Ethical Covenant
Youth Camps for Christ, Inc./Camp Willow Run accepts the brief Covenant of principle of Christian conducts as follows:
- Having been led, as we believe, by the spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.
- And on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
- We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; for the advancement of this Corporation, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort.
- To promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its purpose and doctrines.
- To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment.
- To avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger;
- To abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and illegal narcotic substances, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
- We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love.
- To remember each other in prayer; and to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech.
- To be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
Our Cooperation
The cooperation of the Youth Camps for Christ, Inc./Camp
Willow Run shall be with all evangelical Christian bodies
who subscribe to the Articles of Faith and to the ethical
covenant of the Corporation.
Statement of Purpose and Mission of Youth Camps
for Christ
The purpose and mission of Youth Camps for Christ, Incorporated,
Shall be to glorify God through the provision of Christ-centered
camping and conference ministries, whose aim shall be to
lead others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
and to provide opportunities for maturity and growth for
those who are already in Christ. It shall be the ultimate
goal of Youth Camps for Christ, Incorporated, to magnify
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that God may be glorified
through His name.
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