50TH ANNIVERSARY

Video

Testimonies

The Herron family wants to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for the Patz families commitment to Northland Camp. I can recall the board meeting when the Patz family considered moving Northland. It was a critical time for our family as we knew whatever was decided would be God-ordained but life-changing. Happy to say the Patz family knew God had provided the land and the love for this location. We can see how the Lord has used their sacrifice in resources and time to keep Northland moving these first 50 years. God bless the Patz Family.

- The Marty Herron Family (1982-2000)

Twenty-nine summers ago, I came to Northland to speak for a junior high camp. I was the ripe old age of 26 years old, and Dr. Marty Herron had only been the camp director for a short period of time. Starting in the summer of 1985, I served beside Dr. Herron for the next 16 summers as the camp evangelist. Northland camp has been my summer home for over 25 summers. My kids grew up here. Lifetime friends have been developed here. I have watched thousands of campers (of all ages) make spiritual decisions. The camp has grown, developed its philosophy, expanded its facilities, and moved forward in its influence. To say the least, Northland Camp has changed my life and my family forever. Thank you, Dr. Paul Patz and family, for your vision and obedience to God in starting Northland Camp and supporting it for 50 years.

- Steve & Terry Pettit (1982-2011)

I believe that anything eternally impacting God allows me to accomplish in this life is traceable in some way to Northland Camp. From the first moment I set foot on the campsite, I realized that this is a ministry that invests in people. Although my formal college training was in the field of education, it was an easy decision for me to accept Northland's offer to join the full-time camp staff.

And now, fifteen years later, I have no regrets. I know it's not really camp that changes people; that's God's work. But He's used camp as a tool for His work in the hearts of countless people, and I'm thankful to be one of them. I wish Papa Patz were around so I could tell him personally how much Northland Camp has meant to me all these years. It's through his vision that the Patz family continues to touch lives today. Thanks for making a difference in mine.

- Trevor & Dee Dee Gearhart (1992-2009)

It's so difficult to put into words the impact that Northland Camp has had on my life and my family. Serving here since 2006 has been one of the most significant times of growth in my spiritual life. God has used my relationship with the staff, friendships with sponsors, opportunities with campers, and countless other blessings to show me His goodness and strengthen my walk with Him. But most importantly, God has faithfully used His Word to reveal Himself to me through so many of our summer studies. I'm sincerely thankful to the Patz family for their faithfulness to Christ and vision for how Northland Camp could impact tens of thousands of campers and staff members.

- Paul & Christie Whitt (2006-present)

I will never forget what God taught me at Northland Camp. As my heart changed through the teaching of 1 John 4, I learned that just as I have received so, now, I must reciprocate. I am incredibly thankful for the philosophy of ministry at Northland Camp. They emphasize serving and loving God from your heart, not for the praise of men.

- Former Camp Staff (2010)

God used Northland Camp to prepare me for life. He also used uncomfortable situations that made me dependent on Him. He used godly people to confront me about areas of weakness. He taught me that ministry is fun, and every aspect of life is ministry.

- Former Camp Staff (2009-2011)

Working at Northland Camp helped to cultivate in me a desire for discipleship. God showed me that He can use a broken vessel like me to glorify His name. I may never know how God is using me, but I am confident that if I simply obey Him, He will accomplish that which He has set out to do in my life.

- Former Camp Staff (2009)

God used Northland Camp to instill in me a deep awareness of my need for the intense, daily pursuit of God through His Word. At Northland, God drilled into my heart how much I needed to meet Christ through the Word (Eph. 4:20-24) and allow him to renew my mind and change me.

- Former Camp Staff (2007)

The Lord used Northland Camp in my life to open my eyes to my selfishness, worldliness and apathy. Before I worked at Northland Camp I was playing and performing the role of a good Christian girl. After Northland Camp the Lord became real in my life. I can't imagine where I would be had the Lord not led me to Northland.

- Former Camp & College Staff (2002-2009)

God has taught me to be Word-filled through the Biblically-saturated surroundings of camp. It doesn't have to be just at camp that God uses His Word to change me, it's everywhere. Through camp I've learned what it means to live the new life in Christ, to love God and others through walking in the Spirit, and to love as Christ loves me. I've seen and been part of true life-touching-life discipleship and pray that by God's grace, I will seek out people to love as God loves me.

- Former Camp & College Staff (2008-2011)

I learned so much through the staff and was able to share that with my campers. I was stretched to the breaking point and shown God's grace and mercy. I realized that 'I' had nothing at all to give these needy kids, but through Christ's work on the cross, they could have everything they needed for life and godliness. It was well worth it to spend a summer of time and money to learn these lessons. You never forget the things that really help you grow spiritually. I often think about the spiritual truths that I learned, and these truths enable me to respond correctly to every situation.

- Former Camp & College Staff (2005)

Each summer at Northland seemed to be the culmination of some period of brokenness for me. God has used each particular summer to reveal some area of sin, weakness, or independence from Him - and He has continually brought me face-to-face with my own wicked heart. I am grateful, not only for an atmosphere that breeds this kind of brokenness, but also for some of the staff that have helped encourage and admonish me through these times. God works through this camp because of the people here.

- Former Camp & College Staff (2006-2011)