Seventy years ago life was considerably different here in east Tennessee. Only a hand full of you will remember the “good ole days”, which in some cases were not all that “good”. The “War to end all wars” had just ended with all of its devastation and loss. Segregation was still the norm at least here in the south. County roads were still dirt and gravel. Phones, if you had one, hung on the wall.
Paul Zimmerman, a recent graduate of Moody Bible Institute had moved with his family to this area as a rural church planting missionary. Children of color were not allowed to attend the Bible Camp Brother Paul represented, so Cedine Bible Camp was born. Leaky army tents and an outdoor chapel on rented land, marked the first summer for 36 children who had memorized 200 Bible verses to attend. That tiny seed of faith has grown over the decades to produce many times what was originally sown.
Today, Cedine has newly-built modern cabins, a full service retreat center, 200 acres of prime lakefront land, and all debt free. Cedine continues to reach out to ethnically diverse people groups with year round programing. Many things have changed over the years, but one has not and will not, the truth that God’s Word changes lives.
Come celebrate with us the great things God has done. Homecoming weekend begins on Friday evening, May 20, with the annual fundraising banquet to be held in the Cedine Jubilee Center. Pastor Fred Luter Jr., former Southern Baptist president, will be the key note speaker. He will also be speaking at an 11 a.m. Cedine fundraising brunch in Atlanta on Saturday, May 21. Homecoming Sunday will be on May 22, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow in the Jubilee Center. The Chairman of Cedine’s Board, Pastor John O. Williams, Jr., will be the speaker. Specific information may be found on our web site at www.cedine.org or by calling 423-365-9565.
If you are unable to join us for this weekend, you are welcome at any time. Drop by for a visit. If you have never been here, you will be surprised. If it’s been a while, you will be amazed at what God has done and can do with such a seed of faith.