Scott Mercer, Director
21230 Livingwater Rd.,
Loranger, LA 70446
985.345.1831 – camplivingwaters.net

Greetings to all of our Friends and Family of Camp Living Waters,
As with everything in life this year, it has been interesting.  Camp Life has been a challenge.  I just wanted to give an update on things here and ask for your prayers as we move forward in 2021.

As many of you know summer did not exist.   Just as we thought we would be able to open things, the pandemic just kept spiraling out of control.    We have had very little traffic since our friends with Campers on Mission left in the middle of March.  By this time we normally are approaching the 6000 mark on guest.  We will do good to hit 500 this year.  Covid has hit all of the Louisiana Baptist camps very hard.  For us specifically it translates into about 80% loss of income for the year.  However through our associations, churches and private giving we have been able to keep the doors open.  We have cut all of our expenses down as much as physically possible.  We continue to place our faith in God to know and trust that “He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.”

So how can you help.  First remember that we are here for you.  Support your local camp or the other Baptist camps across the state.  There may be other options, but we compete with anyone on facilities or pricing.  Our Summer children’s camps are half the price of other camps.  Come check your local camp out if you have not in a while.

Secondly, consider putting us in your churches mission budget.  Some churches give a percentage of budget and some just give a annual amount.  Regardless of what you give every donation counts.  Many people think we are supported by state convention, but we are not.  It is our local associations that hold us up.  So when private individuals and individual churches give on top of the associations, it goes along way.  Currently we have about 25 churches out of our nearly 300 churches in our associations that give to us on a monthly bases.  We do not know what we would do without these churches.  So please be in prayer for this as you think of year end giving and church budget planning.

Pray for us.  This is the most important thing anyone can do for the camp.  Pray for wisdom to make proper decisions.  Pray for people to start coming back.   Pray for God to sustain us and help us be prepared for the summer approaching.

Volunteer.  As of this month our maintenance director, Mr. Herbie Vinyard, has went to part time status.  This was in an effort to cut our budget expenses and allows him time to do the routine maintenance that is required.  Also due to covid Lyndsi, our secretary, and Andrew, our bookkeeper, are no longer with us.  One of my biggest losses has been Julian who has served your camp for over six years in many positions but mainly as our cook.  So there are many opportunities to feel in gaps.

I, as the Camp Director, thank each of you for your love and support through out the years.  It is you, the people of God, that love this camp and give to this camp that allows everything to exist here.  The stories that I continue to hear when I am out meeting people that make it worth it all.  The constant reminder from people who say; “oh i was saved at camp there;”  my child or niece was saved there;” “I surrendered to ministry at Camp Living Waters;” and my most amusing one is “I met my spouse there.”  So thank you for your continued support as we continue to make a difference in peoples lives.

Camp Living Waters, also known as The Southeast Baptist Assembly, is approaching its 60th year of ministry. We operate under the leadership of the Northshore, Eastern, Two Rivers, Washington, and New Orleans Baptist Associations.

OUR MISSION

Facilitate churches in their ministries, promote the gospel, and assist churches in growing believers.

WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE

We are a Christian summer camp and retreat center, biblically founded and charged to cultivate and grow the kingdom. Camp Living Waters Retreat Center provides children’s and youth camps for churches through out the year. The camps that we provide are staffed with our employees but do require each church to provide their own chaperones to stay in the rooms each night with their participants. Our children’s camps are designed for children completing first through sixth grades. Our youth adventure recreation camp is designed for youth completing sixth through twelfth grades.

We also provide our camp as a venue for churches needing a place to hold retreats and events. Churches use our facilities for retreats, camps, day events, river baptisms, picnics, water slide, canoes, high and low rope courses, and more. The camp is set in the rural area that allows each camper to get away to a quiet setting where they can decompress from the daily stresses of life.