Christian Camp Gideon is located in Aa, Estonia. The village is in northern Estonia, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. The location is beautiful. The camp itself was built prior to World War II by the Soviet Union. At that time, it was a Pioneer Camp, where communism and atheism were taught to the young. The fall of communism in 1991 changed everything. In time, Estonia became an independent country, and the camp found a new purpose.
During the summers of 1993 and 1994, Christian Camp Gideon was used by the Estonian United Methodist Church. On March 15, 1995, Christian Camp Gideon was purchased by the Asbury United Methodist Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and given to the Methodist churches of Estonia. On that day Pastor Artur Põld was named the Director of Christian Camp Gideon. He still holds that position today. Currently, there are fifteen buildings on 75 acres at the camp, where there is space for to up to 400 people.
From the very beginning, American friends have supported Christian Camp Gideon – both spiritually and financially. Every summer, several groups of volunteers from the United States arrive at Camp Gideon to organize children’s programs and help repair the time-worn buildings. Over the years, Christian Camp Gideon has become internationally known in Latvia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Belarus, Germany and beyond. Thanks to the ministries of Camp Gideon, hundreds of children hear about Jesus each camp season. Together with the guests of Christian Camp Gideon, several mission events have been organized, including family camps, Walk to Emmaus, and the Annual Conference of the Estonian Methodist Church. In the past several years, Christian Camp Gideon has become a refuge for Ukrainians who are escaping the war.
In 2019, my wife Kathryn and I visited Christian Camp Gideon for the first time. We were moved by the ministry of the camp and the work of the people. Since that visit Kathryn has been raising money to help with the reconstruction of the buildings. She is returning to Christian Camp Gideon between July 16 and August 1, and I am returning between July 23 and August 1. We will be helping with English Camp and are looking forward to seeing the progress that has been made at Christian Camp Gideon. It is truly a resurrection story. A camp that once taught communism and atheism is now teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.
You can help Christian Camp Gideon in two ways. First, pray for Christian Camp Gideon; Your prayers are more valuable than you will ever know. Second, prayerfully consider making a financial contribution to Camp Gideon. No amount is too small. It is amazing what God can do with a single dollar. Please make your check out to: PROJECT ORPHAN OUTREACH and mail it to 275 Bradford Drive, Canfield, Ohio, 44406. Some who read my weekly blog have already contributed. You will receive a thank-you note for your contribution as well as a follow-up report on what was accomplished after we return.
In advance, I would like to thank you for your generosity.
Russ Adams 