Ready to act or have questions about Messengers?
Submit your church's certified messengers or read the messenger FAQ.
What a Messenger Does
A Camp Corporation Messenger is a church member chosen to represent their church at Bass Lake Camp. Each Corporation church may choose two.
If you love seeing kids meet Christ at camp, or still remember what a week of camp did in your own life, you already have the heart of a messenger.
At the Annual Meeting
Each March, messengers from across the state gather for the Annual Meeting of the Corporation Churches. There they:
- Hear the year's story
What God has done at camp, and what lies ahead.
- Vote on key business
Approve the camp budget, bylaws, and core resolutions.
- Elect the trustees
Elect pastors and laymen who serve on the camp board. Learn About Trustees →
Your church has a real voice: Each messenger has one vote, so your church has a real voice in the direction of the camp your young people attend.
Your attendance matters: The meeting can only do business when at least 25 percent of the Corporation's messengers are present. (The By-Laws specify 25 percent of the total membership as certified to the Secretary). When your church's messengers come, trustees can be elected, and decisions can be made.
Churches receive notice of the Annual Meeting at least 30 days ahead. On rare occasions, the Board of Trustees may call a special meeting with at least one week's notice and a stated purpose.
Through the year
Share camp news
Share important camp updates with your church using materials we provide throughout the year.
Help your church take part
Work with your pastor or youth leader to find the best ways for your church to be involved, even if it has few or no school-age children. That might mean teaming up with nearby churches on shared projects, rides to camp, or regional events.
Bring your church's voice
Let camp leaders know what your church is thinking and praying about. Messengers also keep their church connected to camp without adding to the pastor's workload.
The time commitment
| What | How often | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Meeting | Once a year, in March | March 6, 2027, Parkers Lake Baptist Church, Plymouth, MN |
| Camp updates | Regular updates, prayer requests, announcements | Shared with your church in whatever way works best, using materials we provide |
| Term | No fixed term | You serve until your church chooses someone new |
What you can count on
- • Help getting started: Short orientation and printed guide.
- • News straight from camp: Updates and prayer requests come directly to you, so your church hears them first.
- • Room to serve your way: No set hours. Share news in a way that fits your congregation.
Who Can Serve
Almost anyone can fill this role. You don't need a title or years of experience. You need a love for camp, a love for your church, and a willingness to carry news between the two.
Who may serve
- Members of a Corporation church: Any church in fellowship with the Minnesota Association of Regular Baptist Churches that gives financially to the Camp Corporation each year.
- Members of the church they represent: Each church chooses two of its own members.
- Pastors and church members alike: Pastors often serve, and we'd love to see more church members step in, too. Married couples are welcome to serve together.
What we look for
- A love for seeing young people meet Christ
- A heart for your local church and its ministry
- Someone who enjoys sharing news and stories
- Faithful attendance at your church, to pass camp news along
Not eligible yet? If your church isn't a Corporation church yet, sign up with the Stay Connected Form, and we'll keep you in mind.
How Messengers Are Chosen
The camp doesn't choose messengers. Each church chooses its own, prayerfully and in whatever way the church decides.
- 1Pray and prepare
Ask the Lord whom He would have represent your church. Read our messenger guide and talk with your pastor or past messengers.
- 2Your church chooses two messengers
If you'd like to serve, let your pastor know. Your church may appoint or vote on its two messengers.
- 3Your church certifies them
Your pastor or church clerk submits one Messenger Certification Form for both messengers by [deadline]. That official notice certifies your messengers.
- 4Messengers receive their materials
Before the Annual Meeting, certified messengers receive the camp reports and trustee election ballot by email.
- 5Messengers attend the Annual Meeting
Each church's messengers represent it at the March meeting and cast its votes.
Key dates for 2027
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| [Date, e.g. Feb 15] | Messenger Certification Forms due |
| [Date, 2 weeks prior] | Last day to change a messenger |
| March 6, 2027 | Annual Meeting of Corporation Churches, Parkers Lake Baptist Church, Plymouth, MN |
Interested in how camp governance works?
Learn about our camp trustees who serve on the board throughout the year.