Gus Johannes is the Camp Director of Finlay Park Adventure Camp. Finlay Park sits on farmland gifted in 1946 by Arthur Finlay to the Baptist church to use for Easter camps.
There’s nothing quite like a camp experience, especially if the camp is called Finlay Park Adventure Camp, and the event is none other than eCamp the Great Adventure 2025.
With camp filled to the brim, 24-hour prayer teams around New Zealand actively praying, an 80-person volunteer team onsite covering catering, security, sound, video, admin, first aid, boat drivers and many other roles, and weather that could put a stop to it all, we were in for the Easter ride of a lifetime.
And yet, God had it covered as we made our way through an amazing weekend with great weather up until the last car pulled out on Monday when the heavens opened and the fields flooded with water. The timing of it all could not have been more perfect.
The Great Adventure was the theme for the weekend, and looking back, we can only wonder who God was trying to teach: us, the adults who tried to organise the event or the children who came to enjoy it?
Seeing then hundreds of children roam free, enjoying outdoor activities, food, friendship, worship, and fantastic teaching delivered by Jeremy Suisted is something wonderful that we don’t see every day. It makes me realise what an essential tool Christian camping is in New Zealand. It’s always been a good tool, but especially in the current environment where health and safety, busy lives, devices, and other distractions limit the experiences our children can have.
Children were running the weekend between magic carpet rides, shooting, axe throwing, screen printing, kayaking, and many other great activities. Three days seemed too short to do it all.
But the absolute highlight of the camp was Sunday night when Jeremey communicated to the children that a great adventure could be had with Jesus Christ. An overwhelming number of children responded, leaving the main auditorium almost deserted. Everywhere, leaders could be seen sitting down with their children, sharing, praying and leading them to Christ.
A lot more can be said about eCamp or Finlay Park, but I would encourage any reader to get involved in their (church) community and bring those kids to the next eCamp. If that’s not you, how about you join one of the volunteer teams? We are always looking for first aiders, boat drivers, tech people, red caps (Finlay Park staff and volunteers leading activities), and anyone else who has something to offer in that space.
Or why not book your next church camp, youth camp, group retreat or home group weekend at Finlay Park Adventure Camp? There is nothing like community and getting away from our busy lives.
Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to get some more info.
I’d love to see you there soon.
Photos: Supplied by Gus Johannes
