Past

Camp META is really a vision born in the hearts of Dr. and Mrs. Argyle Paddock upon directing Bob Jones University missions teams to Mexico for years. Although Jim and Ivonne Gardner, IFM missionaries, are directing the ministry in Mexico, the Paddocks have been crucial to the ongoing development of META because of their faith, prayers, advice, and encouragement.  

As the vision for Camp META grew, Dr. Paddock sought out the advice of Ken Hay of The WILDS Christian Association. Dr. Hay suggested a strategy that mirrored his own experience--organizing a mobile camp that would travel to different locations, taking the camp to the young people.

Taking this advice, each summer since 1992, Jim has recruited a 2-3 young people to form the travel team and has organized camps throughout Mexico (from Tijuana to Cancún) in collaboration with local churches and mission works. In addition to presenting the gospel to thousands of needy souls throughout the years, the camp ministry has also provided a vital training ground for Mexican Bible college students working as operational and counseling staff.

By God's grace, the ministry has seen steady increases in the interest of local churches and in the attendance of young people. Every summer, the META team ministers to approximately 1000 campers in 6-8 different locations.

God has been pleased to use the tool of camping to call many young men and women to salvation and to full-time service. Today many of those campers are serving the Lord as pastors and missionaries in Mexico and in other Spanish-speaking countries.