by Jennifer Lloyd

COLD SPRINGS - The term "working retreat" may sound like an odd combination to some people, but to some men and women from Picayune, MS, the term makes perfect sense.

For 19 years, during the last week of May, a group from First Baptist Church in Picayune has traveled to Jenness Park  Christian Camp for a working retreat. The California Southern Baptist Convention-owned camp is located near Sonora.

Over the years the Mississippi group has had a significant impact on the development of Jenness Park - they built the Gold Rush cabins, replaced the chapel roof, repaired numerous sewer lines, installed power lines, and repaired and remodeled many dwellings. The climax of their trip each year is to brave the frigid waters of the Tuolumne River and install the dam for the lake so campers are able to boat and swim.

The obvious beneficiary of the work done by this group is Jenness Park. This year, First Baptist worked to build a 4-foot tall by 110-foot long retaining wall near the chapel. The wall, funded by money generated from Jenness Park's capital gift campaign, replaces a deteriorating wooden wall, widens the roadway near the dining hall to ensure safer passage for vehicles, and decreases mud and water runoff during the winter.

A second impact for the Mississippi group is the spiritual camaraderie gained from working and fellowshiping with other Christians. Scott Sheasby who has been coming to Jenness Park for seven years said, "We get more out of being here than we give.

"Shortly after moving to Picayune eight years ago, I found my home church as a result of working with these men at Jenness Park," Sheasby said.

Pastor Keith Warden, along with his sons Bryce and Brady, attended with the Picayune group for the first time this year.

"This is a beautiful camp, a wonderful place to meet God," said Warden, who knows the spiritual impact of attending a Christian camp. He lamented that the Mississippi Baptist camp where their youth generally attend Centrifuge was wiped out by Hurricane Katrina.

Another overriding impact of the working retreat is the emphasis of contributing to something beyond themselves. Dave Windham has been coming to Jenness Park for 19 years; his daughter Tabitha worked on summer staff in 2003. Dave echoed Tabitha's words: "Every time you hear the bell ringing it means that someone has accepted Christ. That is what makes Jenness Park so special and keeps me coming back year after year."

Mike Tyson, who has brought three of his children on trips to the camp over the years, said, "This is a good way to introduce our kids to mission work."

As a result of the ministry, Tyson's eldest daughter was on summer staff at Jenness for three years, another daughter was on staff for one summer, and his son has attended twice with the Picayune group.

Mark Dragon said, "This is a good experience for my kids." He brought his eldest son for the second time and plans to bring his three other children when they are old enough.

Rod Goodmon, director of Jenness Park, shared a new site plan with the Mississippi group.

"Last summer and this summer we're turning people away from camp, and that is breaking my heart," Goodmon told the volunteers. Members of the Picayune group made suggestions and expressed a desire to continue being part of the work at Jenness Park.