LOWESVILLE, Va. — More than 250 Virginia Baptists gathered at CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center on Saturday, May 22, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the camp’s founding.
Nestled in the mountains bordering the George Washington National Forest, CrossRoads is one of the jewels of Virginia Baptist life. The 606-acre campus is owned and operated by Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia.
View of CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center from a rock ledge high on a peak. CrossRoads property includes virtually everything from the rock to the nearest of the distant ridges.
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One cannot help but be awed by the beauty of the setting. Thick forests climb skyward on the backs of Blue Ridge peaks, a clear mountain stream bubbles and babbles energetically over its boulder-strewn bed and lush green lawns surround modern facilities that provide housing, recreation, worship and dining space for up to 400 campers at a time with 200 more in the conference center.
To help celebrate the event, former campers and counselors, many of whom now serve in full-time ministry positions, returned to enjoy a reunion. Pam Smith, now a team leader with the Montana Baptist Convention, remembered her days as a summer camp director at CrossRoads.
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Smith said. “That’s how important this place and these people are to me.”
Past counselor Mary (Hubbard) Tucker of Danville, returned with her family to reconnect with former colleagues and to introduce her husband and daughters to the camp.
Past WMUV presidents and former executive director/treasurer Kathryn Bullard also attended, joining current WMUV staff and guests in the celebration. Earlene Jessee, who served as WMUV executive director/treasurer during many of the camp’s formative years, had planned to attend the event but was prevented from doing so by a death in Shiloh Baptist Church in King George where her husband, Mike, is pastor.
In the celebration ceremony Saturday afternoon, Jane Clarke, who served as WMUV president when the property was purchased, described in humorous detail the trek she and other WMUV leaders took in a four-wheel-drive vehicle to view the site.
Kristen White and Sara Hubble lead in singing camp songs.
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Laura McDaniel, current WMUV executive director/ treasurer, described the mission of CrossRoads. “The beauty of CrossRoads is hearing the heartbeat of God. Cellphones don’t work up here. We don’t have TVs. Here, you can hear the heartbeat of God. When we leave here, we return to the world of instant messaging and computers. Those things are not bad, but sometimes modern life can crowd out the voice of God.”
She went on to refer to the conference center as a place where “pastors come weary and leave revitalized and energized.”
The primary mission of CrossRoads has always been children’s camping. “Children come,” she said, calling the children present to join her on the platform. “This is why we do what we do,” she said, referring to the youngsters. “This is why we pour kingdom capital into these future leaders. We want to ensure that the vision of CrossRoads, the future of CrossRoads, continues for them. We want to make sure the buildings are kept up. We are going to expand while keeping the beauty of this place. Not just for these children but for those across Virginia and beyond.”
She proceeded then to skillfully prepare the gathering for an offering. Speaking from her heart, McDaniel’s words were so persuasive and inspirational that those present, including this reporter, considered it a privilege to contribute to the future of CrossRoads.
Diners enjoy a meal in the CrossRoads dining facility
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Bullard recalled the days before CrossRoads when campers gathered at Viewmont in Albemarle County, the Baptist Lodge in Matthews, and The Cedars near Marion.
“When they came to talk to me in 1975 [about becoming executive director/treasurer], they told me that they had appointed a committee to evaluate the three camps and make a recommendation, but that they had decided to wait until the new executive came. They let me know that the camp should be one of my first priorities.”
Bullard is thrilled that the camp has evolved through the years from a camp primarily for girls to a full-fledged conference center. The camp’s name has also evolved. It was initially called Camp Little Crossroads, named in remembrance of Lottie Moon’s compound in Tengchow, China.
Summarizing her thoughts, Bullard reflected, “In the local church we have great programs, but there is something about getting away from your home base. It expands your vision and opens your eyes to other possibilities as we meet new people. It is great to get out in a place like that — so quiet and serene. It illustrates God’s goodness.”
CrossRoads’ director Reuben Todd anticipates a full summer camping schedule.