Thursday Rally Report


What a way to close a great week!  We were promised that the Thursday evening service would be a blast, and the campers, commanders and visitors were not disappointed!

The final service of Camporama, opened with the presentation of the FCF awards by FCF President Jim Rounsville.  This year's FCF Village was a true highlight to Camporama and everyone who visited it was taken back to a time when craftsmanship was the measure of a man.

Following the awards, Camp Commander Jim Barger introduced the national staff as the thousands in attendance showed their appreciation loudly.  In addition, recognition was given to the various camp staff members and volunteers who made Camporama possible.

With that, the applause continued as Christian recording artist Bob Kilpatrick took the stage with his guitar and launched into a diverse mix of music that ranged from novelty songs, to rock and roll parody to reverent worship.  The crowd rose to its feet to sing along with Kilpatrick and his charismatic personality.

"I want to tell you about the best news," he told the crowd, "you're gonna die!  That's GOOD news if you believe in heaven, right?"  He excitedly announced that Christians above everyone else have reason to "party righteous" because they have the true reason to be happy.

Taking the stage after Bob was Peninsular Florida District Superintendent Terry Raburn, who challenged the crowd to be champions.  "Who will be the next champion?" he asked.  A champion is ready to do what is called of him, and that takes courage.

He drew a comparison of when we unleash the champion in ourselves that God wants us to be, it's like a sky full of fireworks.  Soon after, the dark Ozark sky was washed in flashes of light and sparkling colors as we were treated to the thunder of a brilliant fireworks display that brought everyone to their feet in applause and cheers.

After the fireworks, Raburn drew another analogy of the importance of how we affect those around us.  As participants entered the amphitheater earlier in the evening, they were given candles.  Raburn lit his candle and began to pass his flame to the candles of the young men near him, who spread the light to their rows.

Within three minutes, the entire mountainside was glowing with the light of thousands of candles held up by campers, commanders and visitors.  Raburn explained that if he had decided to try to light everyone's candle with his own, it would have taken all night, but because he gave his light to others and they spread it to those around them, it took just a few minutes to accomplish the task.

This final challenge brought the evening service to a conclusion as Aaron Cruz and The Worship Out Band took to the stage one last time to lead the crowd in more of their signature high-energy worship songs.

As the music ended with a shout of praise, the crowd began to disperse to their campsites, many still carrying their lit candles, as well as a rekindled light in their souls.


Royal Rangers