Honoring Our Past.
Moving Boldly into the Future!

Dave Burnham, son of Carl Burnham, took the helm of church leadership after Carl’s unexpected death in 1962 following a surgery. Together Dave and his wife Sue developed many Bible study groups and ministries, and the congregation continued to grow into the thousands. One of Dave’s great desires was to develop young leaders to impact the world for Christ. He was advised by his alma mater Wheaton College to consider camp ministry as an avenue for developing young disciple-makers. After researching Wheaton College’s camp Honey Rock, he put a vision before the congregation to purchase 88 acres of property in Ravenna Ohio that was owned by the YMCA.

The congregation responded to his visionary plea. As Dave tells it, buckets were placed around the sanctuary to raise $50,000 for the purchase of camp. That day, $50,400 was given. The church congregation gathered at Camp Carl for a worship service and dedicated the property. Together with others, Dave Burnham planted a thousand pine trees that still line the perimeter and grounds of Camp Carl. What holy ground!

The first summer camp program opened on June 28, 1964. By God’s grace, 425 campers attended. Over the years, the original 88 acres became 315 acres as additional land was purchased. Sixty years later, our 2024 camp season hosted more than 2,800 campers and has become a year-round facility with well-trained, godly young leaders serving by the hundereds.