DAVIS — The summer youth weeks at Falls Creek Conference Center and sessions at CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp in 2025 led to memories that will last a lifetime for all who attended. The spiritual impact made at Falls Creek and CrossTimbers will last for eternity.
At Falls Creek, there were more than 51,000 attendees during the eight weeks of youth camps. In total, there were 4,919 spiritual decisions made. This included 2,210 professions of faith, 153 assurances of salvation, 1,237 recommitments, 514 calls to ministry and 805 other decisions made.
From the first session to the last, the Gospel message was presented clearly each and every day. Falls Creek features eight one-week sessions and the camp pastors included: Garret Wagoner, Jeff DeGiacomo, Daniel Ritchie, Garry McNeill, Rusty Gunn, Jeremy Freeman, Shane Pruitt and Andy Blanks. Each pastor showed campers the gift that the Gospel brings and what it means to follow Jesus.
The Falls Creek theme for 2025 was “Level Up,” based on James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” This focuses campers on how growth in the Christian life is more dependent on God’s work than our own effort. This theme challenged campers to take the posture of sacrifice, submission, selflessness and surrender to God.
Falls Creek Program Director Todd Sanders said, “For us to grow to be more like Christ we need to humble ourselves in submission, sacrificing to find contentment in Jesus, seeking unity with others through selflessness and completely surrendering to the Lord. I am grateful that leaders and churches make Falls Creek Youth Camp a part of their year. A week in the summer is prime time for growth. It is a privilege to take this journey with them. We are honored to serve to provide the best experience we can, seeing God do what only He can do.”
In addition to the main sermons, Falls Creek offered numerous breakout sessions so campers could enrich their faith. Staff particularly encourage campers to participate in global missions, which resulted in many missions conversations.
Since the first summer of Falls Creek in 1917 to this year, the youth camps have proven to be memorable and have an eternal impact.
CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp, which is designed for children who have completed grades three through six, also had a powerful spiritual impact. CrossTimbers saw a total of 454 decisions made, which included 313 professions of faith.
CrossTimbers exists to support local church efforts to reach lost children by placing a high priority on Scripture, worship, relationships with staff and church sponsors and opportunities for campers, and sponsors, to sharpen their skills and prepare to consistently serve God after camp.
Each of the 12 sessions of camp, held May 27-July 25, was structured into four days of intentional spiritual investment, focused on knowing God. Campers hear God is creator, eternal and powerful. Then they were challenged to ask those around them if they have heard about God.
CrossTimbers Program Director Sarah Hagar said, “When we learn who God is, hear His redemptive plan for our lives, and are given opportunities to respond, we get to see God change lives. After experiencing what God can do in our lives, we want to tell others.”
CrossTimbers educated campers on the evangelistic work that is occurring in Oklahoma, in America and around the world. This was accomplished through hands-on and interactive teaching times that included cultural practices, games, activities, crafts, language and food and drink tasting.
In addition to missions education, there were numerous other camp activities campers participated in, such as a ropes course, target sports and water activities. CrossTimbers staff provided a fun and safe environment at camp. In morning and evening, campers attended chapel services. Through corporate worship, led by the CrossTimbers staff worship team, and messages brought by the camp pastors, campers were lead to focus on the daily themes. This year’s camp pastors included: Charlie Blount, Caleb Glennie, Rob Dunning, Jacob Stewart, Curtis Barrett, Michael Staton, Seth Sandusky, David Skinner, Joey Dean, Jon Johnston, Corry Duncan, Kyle Henderson and DJ Walter.
Falls Creek and CrossTimbers are funded through the Cooperative Program.
Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer, said “Thank you Oklahoma Baptist churches for making Falls Creek and CrossTimbers a reality. It’s impossible to calculate the full measure of all God has done in these places! To Him be the glory!”
The summer impact at Falls Creek and CrossTimbers was significant, notable—and eternal.
