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The first week of Family Camp at the Manhattan Beach Retreat Centre (MBRC) is wrapping up today on the shores of Pelican Lake, with a new crop of campers settling in by evening.\u00a0 The next group to enjoy the beautiful 100-acre Christian camp and retreat facility located on the north shore of Pelican Lake near Ninette, is the Junior High Camp, students going into grades 6-8.<\/p>\n
Two more weeks of Family Camp will be coming up in August.<\/p>\n
MBRC hosts several weeks of Family, Kids, Youth and Senior Camps for the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada throughout the summer months.<\/p>\n
Originally known as Manhattan Beach Camp, this gathering place has been in operation for the past 87 years.\u00a0\u00a0The camp was established in 1939 as a place for spiritual renewal, fellowship and ministry for Pentecostal believers across the region. And in order to facilitate the many who have attended each year to learn and to fellowship with fellow believers, all the while having fun, for close to 9 decades, it’s taken many people to make it all come together according to plan!<\/p>\n
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Doug Wilkinson celebrates 4 decades of service
\nDouglas Wilkinson (Photo courtesy of Robyn Wiebe \/ Golden West)<\/p>\n
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The old English proverb, ‘many hands make light work’, rings true for MBRC.\u00a0 And for those who volunteer at MBRC they need to only look into the dining hall kitchen to see the heart of Jesus shine and be inspired to serve.<\/p>\n
Long-standing staff member, Douglas Wilkinson, is celebrating his 40th year this summer at MBRC.\u00a0 Wilkinson grew up in Carberry but now lives in Neepawa and has spent every summer over the past four decades at Manhattan Beach Camp.\u00a0 “I started in 1985 in June, in the kitchen, in the old kitchen, and I had a wonderful chef … and we hit it off and became good friends, and that’s how things started,” shares Wilkinson.<\/p>\n
“To me, I love serving, I love Jesus and I love people, and I have a heart for people,” says Wilkinson. “And the groups that have been here for 40 years now, I have built relationship, and they keep in touch with me throughout the year.\u00a0Being here at Manhattan Beach, it’s been a blessing and also to serve, and I love serving because when you serve, you’re serving Jesus,” he adds. “And that’s the heart to me being here.”<\/p>\n
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The welcoming smile in the dining hall!<\/p>\n
Serving the many who enjoy a meal during the day, or a snack after the evening service, or a fresh cup of coffee first thing in the morning, Doug has been the welcoming smile in the dining hall.\u00a0 \u00a0“I thank the Lord every day when I’m here, being able to make sure everything looks good.”<\/p>\n
Working at MBRC has enabled Doug to attend Bible School and multiple mission trips, which opened more doors to serve others and build relationships as a team leader and mission cook.\u00a0 “Missions is also on my heart, and if it weren’t for Manhattan Beach and my working here, I wouldn’t be able to go to Bible School and on mission trips.\u00a0 And I’ve been on a few mission trips and they’ve been wonderful!”<\/p>\n
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One of many things folks remark about Doug Wilkinson is that his love for the Lord is first in his life<\/p>\n
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“Douglas Wilkinson is becoming a legend around here.\u00a0 His walk with Jesus definitely shines outside the tabernacle,” says Reverend Bill Pipke, District Superintendent for the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC).\u00a0<\/p>\n
“You know, when you talk about someone reflecting Jesus; Jesus was kind, He was joyful, He was full of peace, He was forgiving, He was truthful – that’s Doug, you know?\u00a0And so, in many ways, just who Doug is, is a testimony of God’s grace in him and God’s love for others.\u00a0\u00a0So yeah, he’s a walking testimony, we think,” adds Rev. Pipke.<\/p>\n
(l-r) Douglas Wilkinson and Rev Bill Pipke (Photo courtesy of Robyn Wiebe \/ Golden West)<\/p>\n
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Many ask,\u00a0“Is Doug here?”\u00a0<\/p>\n
“You know, one of the things that’s thrilled us is that we do rental groups, and so other church groups come, and when they rent the facility, one of the first questions they ask when they arrive is, “Is Doug here?”\u00a0\u00a0And why do they ask that?\u00a0Because he makes a difference in their dining experience.\u00a0 He makes a difference in their being in camp. He just adds an extra dimension.\u00a0So, yeah, Doug’s our secret sauce,” shares Rev. Pipke.<\/p>\n
One of many things folks remark about Wilkinson is that his love for the Lord is first in his life.<\/p>\n
“If you talk to Doug for any length of time, he points you to Jesus within minutes. And that’s his desire. That’s why he’s doing what he’s doing.\u00a0And he does it with such enthusiasm because he recognizes if he does what he does well, it’s going to affect how people enjoy camp.\u00a0\u00a0But it’s also going to affect what takes place when people gather together to pray, to sing and worship, and to hear the Bible.\u00a0\u00a0And so, I think he’s part of every service indirectly.”<\/p>\n
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A joy, a privilege and a blessing!<\/p>\n
“It’s been a joy, and a privilege and a blessing – of the people that I’ve served at Manhattan Beach and also of the leadership in the district that we have now,” says Doug Wilkinson. “And I want to thank those who supported me coming every summer.”<\/p>\n
“It’s a family!\u00a0 And I’m grateful and thankful and humble to be part of a great ministry,” he adds.<\/p>\n
Please listen to more of the conversation with our own Golden West reporter, Robyn Wiebe, with long-standing volunteer Douglas Wilkinson and Reverend Bill Pipke below.<\/p>\n