Following a couple of very difficult years, Baptist Camping Victoria (BCV) had a record-breaking 2022. We experienced considerable growth across the board – in our people and their resilience, in our ministry programs, in people responding to the Lord and a record volume of people enjoying our sites afresh – in some cases after two years of cancelled attempts.

Moving on from the many unique obstacles of prior years (Covid lockdowns and interruptions to camps), it’s evident the Lord was with us through its many challenges and continues to be in our growth.

With camp attendance ‘bursting at the seams’, there was a lot of pressure on our staff, with many parts of BCV continuing to wrestle with the impact of staff turnover and attrition. New employment struggled to keep pace with increased demand and only by God’s grace and the dedication of our amazing team did we manage to keep delivering Christian Camping that Inspires by Serving – our renewed purpose statement.

During the recent 2023 Autumn Roundups at Mill Valley Ranch, they had 36 young people make decisions to follow Jesus and were also able to give away 32 bibles to children who did not have one. This is not unique to the past couple of weeks – it happens every single school holidays.

An integral part of the impact of the ministry are Chapel Speakers who share for 25-30 minutes each day. Speakers are not required to be pastors, but simply people who have a heart to share the gospel and see the lives of young people transformed.

As we each continue to press on towards the goal that is in Christ Jesus, we at BCV also strive to be salt and light for all who come to camp in this wonderful ministry God has called us to.