Voice & Stories: Camp Meetings and the Evangelical Spirit

Program Details

To build bridges of understanding, we must take time to listen to the experiences of others.

Rolling Ridge launched "Voices and Stories" as a new ONLINE series that uses historical education and contemplative listening to open hearts and minds to the events that have shaped American society today.

With summer now upon us, we look at the history of Camp Meetings, often connected with the Second and Third Great Awakenings in New England during the 1800s, and consider how the evangelical spirit was born through those gatherings. In particular we will explore Methodist camp meetings and their impact on Methodism today, including the Wesleyan Covenant Association, with Rev. Tom Bentum sharing his story.

Join us on Thursday, August 19th from 11 am to 1 pm and consider the historic traditions and spirituality born out of John Wesley’s evangelistic fervor to ‘Save as many souls as you can’.

Although there is no fee for this program, your generous donation allows Rolling Ridge to continue our mission and ministry of contemplative spirituality. Thank you.

Please check out our website for other events in our Voices and Stories series.

About the Leaders

Lawrence Jay

As Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Jay guides the vision and direction of Rolling Ridge. As well as working with our staff to ensure the best possible guest experience, he partners with retreat leaders to provide excellent programming at the Ridge. A trained spiritual director and ordained American Baptist pastor, Larry (as he is known by friends) is a graduate of UCLA, Golden Gate Seminary, Franciscan School of Theology, American Baptist Seminary of the West, and the Gateways to God Missional Spiritual Direction Program. He is also Adjunct Faculty at Merrimack College in the Masters of Spirituality and Spiritual Direction programs. Eco-spirituality is his passion (and was the subject of his doctoral dissertation), encouraging everyone to live into the fullness of our connection with nature, God, and all people.