Rev. Rick Kavanaugh is senior pastor of The Wesleyan Church in Presque Isle, Maine. Under his anointed leadership, the church has made a significant impact in its community, on our district, and beyond. His thoughtful exposition of the Scriptures was a highlight of Beulah Camp 2004.

When Dr. Wilson first asked me to preach at Beulah Camp, I was thrilled and immediately accepted. Then as the time drew closer, there was a growing sense of dread. What have I gotten myself into? This was by far the largest camp meeting I had ever preached at. And then, to add to the mix, the fact that it was home turf, well, that was quite intimidating. But the people were gracious and God was faithful. I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity.

To sum up my experiences, I would use five words.

1. Preaching at Beulah Camp Was Humbling

I honestly felt like, who am I to be asked to do this? Then when I arrived I was informed by several people, in passing, that history was being made by having a “hometown boy” as one of the evangelists. I truly feel honored to have been entrusted with the responsibility to bring a word to the Atlantic District family. When God “expands a person’s borders” it often doesn’t make sense. We wonder why that person? Yet God often uses people who are so unlikely that if anything good comes out of it, it will be obvious that it had to be the hand of God, because on their own, they couldn’t achieve anything. I’ve always felt like one of those “unlikely” people. And that’s okay, because my continual prayer has been, “Lord, bless me so disproportionately to my abilities that it will be obvious that what is happening is of You.”

2. Preaching at Beulah Camp Was Exciting

I’ve never spoken to such large crowds before. That alone caused my palms to sweat and my heart to race. I could feel the jitters in my stomach several hours before it was time for service to begin. Yet, when I looked on the people’s faces, I saw a hunger for God’s Word. There was an openness amongst the people that made preaching fun. Plus, the worship was so powerful that, by the time I stepped up to the pulpit, my spirit was full.

3. Preaching at Beulah Camp Was Tiring

Because I felt the responsibility was so great, I wanted to do my best. So I rewrote every message before preaching it. Also I ended up preaching several sermons I hadn’t intended to preach and didn’t preach some I had planned on. That meant several late nights. Even though I was preaching sermons I had already preached once in my own church, I spent about six hours in preparation for each message while at camp. I enjoy preaching and studying, so it was a labor of love.

4. Preaching at Beulah Camp Was Empowering

The great benefit of preaching at Beulah is that you get to sit at the head table for the meals. That means extra time to spend with the other evangelist and Dr. Wilson. A week of conversations with them was “worth the price of the ticket”. Also, I greatly enjoyed getting to hear Steve DeNeff—what an engaging preacher! One of the most powerful messages he brought, in my opinion, was the one with the four chairs. What amazed me about that was when the worship was happening he leaned over to me and said, “I don’t have my notes for it, but I think I’m going to preach something different than I had planned.” So on the spot he changed his message. Wow! I felt truly ministered to and challenged by his sermons.

5. Preaching at Beulah Camp Was Encouraging

The people of the Atlantic District are so kind. So many people offered words of encouragement. I appreciate that. I never felt like anyone had a sour attitude that I was speaking. Instead, I sensed they were rooting for me. Thank you so much for being so kind. I especially appreciate Dr. Wilson taking the risk to ask me to speak. Beulah Camp is an extraordinary place and I feel very honored to have been a small part of it.