August 1 – 10 has lots of programming and events! Click here to find out what is happening each day!

The annual meeting of Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting Association, Inc. will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 1:30 pm following the Ham Dinner in Biddle Memorial Dining Hall.

The agenda will be to receive annual reports, elect new trustees, vote on proposed by-law changes (sent via email on July 10, 2025), and have a time of questions and discussion from corporation members. Elections will be held for 3 new trustees, each for a 3-year term.

The following terms are expiring: Sarah McGovern (3-year term), Mare Maharty (1-year term), Alan McCarrick (3-year term).Voting may be done only by Cottagers present at the meeting who meet the following criteria (per Article IX of our By-Laws):

1) The right and power of voting for the election of Trustees and the transaction of other business of the Association shall be granted only to cottage owners whose current year’s ground rental and/or budget payments to date, assessments and other charges have been paid by August 1 of the present year, as evidenced by the books of the Association.

2) Whenever a cottage is owned jointly, only one of the owners shall have the right and power of voting. Each cottage qualifies for one vote and no cottager may have more than one vote.

3) Proxies shall not be recognized.

4) Nominations for Board members should be received by members of the Nominating

Committee no later than Saturday, August 2, 2025, to allow the nominees time to review the

Board of Trustees Roles and Responsibilities document before accepting the nomination and allowing the Board to prepare a ballot for the Annual Meeting as nominations will not be received from the floor.

Potential nominees need to meet the following qualifications (per Article VI of our By-Laws):

1) No member may be nominated, elected or appointed as Trustee who has not paid their current year’s ground rental or is up to date with an established payment schedule for the current year, assessments and other charges by August 1, or is in any way indebted to the Association.

2) Each Trustee must be a professing Christian and a member in good standing of a recognized Christian Church.

3) No more than four persons from any one local congregation can be elected to the Board of Trustees.

4) Only one owner of a cottage may serve at one time as a Trustee. A husband and wife may not serve as Trustees at the same time.

Nominating Committee Members:

● Mildred Hernandez at presbscm@gmail.com or (267) 973-2714

● George Phillips at retiredman2017@gmail.com or (610) 719-7991

● Marisela Cruz at cruzela410@gmail.com or (215) 828-0630

If you wish to nominate yourself or another person, please contact a member of the nominating committee by Saturday, August 2nd. Please be sure that anyone you nominate has confirmed their willingness to serve before submitting their name.

Written by Pastor Richard Purchase

Our 2025 program for the Camp calls for a single “Coffee
House” on August 2 at 7 p.m. In our past, Coffee Houses could
be defined as Christian mini concerts with food! History,
however reveals something else.
What is a “Coffee House?” For 500 years or so, humankind has
recognized the drinking of coffee as a way of getting to know
other people, explore ideas and share experiences. It all began
in the middle East where coffee was first grown and someone
discovered that the beverage encouraged discussion, exchange
of ideas and viewpoints about important issues in life. Coffee
Houses spread to Europe with one in Venice by 1645.
When “Jesus People” movements grew rapidly in the 60’s and
70’s They were composed of people from many different
backgrounds and cultures needing to get to know and accept
one another as followers of Jesus. The Coffee House model
was quickly adopted as a way of attracting those not
comfortable in the established churches of that day.
150 years prior, it was the Camp Meeting that provided a
different, yet somewhat similar opportunity for those who
needed “time out” from overly formal expressions of Christian
faith (the ones which established Harvard, Yale, Brown, formal
degree granting seminaries and other evidences of upper class
culture.) In the early years camp meetings eschewed pipe
organs, grandiose buildings, fancy pulpits, stained glass,
classical music, overly educated clergy and much more. The
sawdust trail held an attraction reminding people of Jesus more
than the carpeted center aisle of a big city church. Eventually
Camp Meetings made peace with the established churches and
were an important component of the second great awakening
during the late 18th – 19th centuries.

On August 2 at 7 p.m. we will attempt to recreate the historic
style of a coffee house with music, dialogue, poetry and
discussion around the theme of Jesus words, “”Peace I leave
with you….” (John 14:27) Please plan to join us!

Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord. – 1 Chronicles 16:33

Dear cottagers and friends of BSCM,
As many of you are aware, there is a serious safety concern on St Paul’s Ave area of camp due to a large 100+ foot tree branch that weakened over the winter and is pressing on other nearby branches. Unfortunately, this necessitates the use of a crane to alleviate pressure on the other branches and trim the large branch in danger of falling. This unforeseen cost will amount to about $6,500 for the crane rental as well as the labor cost of the tree professional. Although the cost of tree care was anticipated in the BSCM annual budget, this additional unexpected cost has gone well beyond the funds available

Would you consider donating financially to help cover this cost?

CAMP MEETING WEEK

 August 1 (Friday)  – August 10 (Sunday)

PROGRAMMED EVENTS

Saturday, June 7th 1 – 3 pm, OPEN HOUSE, Hymn Sing @ 3 pm – A great opportunity to invite family and friends and local church congregations to experience the beauty of God’s creation at our camp meeting, take tours, learn about our history and join in singing hymns!

Saturday, June 21st 10 am- 2 pm QUIET DAY for Prayer and Reflection led by Betty Purchase, 5:30 pm Covered Dish Dinner, Following Dinner – COTTAGERS MEETING  

Friday, June 27th – REFRESH DAY  10 am – Elva Hurst, chalk artist. Noon – Luncheon in Biddle Dining Hall, RSVP required, $12

CONCERTS / PERFORMANCES/ ACTIVITIES

June 29th @ 7 pm AGAPE WORSHIP MINISTRY, concert

July 5th     @7 pm DIANN PARKAS, worship dance & testimony 

July 13th  @ 3 pm PETER SEIBERT, author of Summer Cottage Communities

July 18th  @ 7 pm ROCKDALE BOYS, concert

July 19th  @ 7 pm JAMIE DiMAIO, concert

July 20th @ 3 pm PAINTING PARTY with Anne Rigby, supply fee & RSVP req.

July 25th  @ 7 pm TESTIMONIAL COFFEHOUSE led by Pastor Rich Purchase

July 26th  @ 7 pm GORDON DOUGLAS, comedian

August 1st @ 7 pm TUCKER RODKEY, painting and spoken word poetry

Picnics – Memorial Day – May 26th, Independence Day – July 4th

Women’s Bible study – Tuesdays @ 10 am in July

Praise & Prayer – Thursday @ 7 pm (June 26 – July 31)

Covered Dish Dinners – Saturdays @ 5:30 pm (June 21 – August 9)

Weekly Aquasize in the pool and Craft Time will be scheduled

Prayer Points for Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting – 2025 Camp Season

Heavenly Father, 

Opening Prayer of Transformation: We come before You with thankful hearts, excited to gather in Your name this season. We invite Your Holy Spirit to move powerfully throughout this camp, especially in the program You have prepared for us. We ask that every session, every activity, and every conversation be an instrument of transformation. Open our hearts to Your truth and guide each moment, so we may experience spiritual renewal and grow deeper in our relationship with You. We pray for every leader, volunteer, and participant to be transformed by the wisdom and teachings You’ve set before us and for the program to be a catalyst for lasting change in our lives. Unify us in purpose as we walk together through this time, setting aside distractions and embracing Your call. Protect us, guide us, and surround this entire camp with Your peace. May this program be marked by deep encounters with You, sparking revival and inspiring boldness to live out our faith joyfully. 

Prayer for Unity & Fellowship: We lift the unity of this camp. May our faith in You and love for each other strengthen us, creating a community of understanding, grace, and humility. Let our fellowship be authentic and reflect Your love, drawing us closer to You and one another. May every interaction reflect Your heart. 

Prayer for Protection: We ask for Your protection over all who attend this camp. Safeguard our bodies, minds, and spirits, and keep this sacred ground under Your care. May this place be a refuge from the distractions of the world, set apart for Your holy purposes. We trust You to protect and preserve all that takes place here. 

Prayer for Spiritual Revival & Growth: We ask for a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit, igniting a passion for You in each of us. May this season be marked by spiritual awakening, healing, and transformation. Stir our hearts to pursue You with zeal, and may this time be one of deep, lasting change. We pray that everyone—youth, leaders, volunteers—will leave this camp renewed, equipped, and ready to follow You more faithfully. 

Prayer for Leaders & Committees: We lift up all the leaders, trustees, and volunteers entrusted with guiding this ministry. Fill them with wisdom, strength, and clarity as they serve, and protect them from burnout. Unify them in purpose and humility as they lead, trusting in Your provision and guidance every step of the way. May their efforts bear fruit for Your kingdom. 

Prayer for Financial Provision: We trust You to provide for every need this season. Open doors for resources, both seen and unseen, and raise up those who can support this camp. May Your people give generously and may all we have be used wisely for Your glory. We pray for those who are struggling financially. Lord, provide them with the help and hope they need, whether through unexpected avenues, wise counsel, or the support of others. May Your peace reign in their hearts, knowing that You are always with them, even in times of uncertainty. 

Prayer for Healing & Comfort: We lift those who need healing and comfort, restore their hearts, minds, and bodies, bring strength, and remind them they are never alone. 

Prayer for the Unsaved: We ask that Your Spirit work in the hearts of the unsaved. May they encounter Your love and truth and open their hearts to the gospel. Use us as instruments of Your grace, giving us the boldness to share Your message and leading many to salvation. 

Closing Prayer for Impact: May the seeds planted during this camp bear lasting fruit. Let every life touched here be transformed by Your love, and may we be equipped to live out our calling and share Your truth with the world. We trust You to make this camp a place of revival, and we give You all the glory. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As we reflect on the 2024 Program season, cottagers and visitors were blessed with a variety of events focusing on the peace of God. Musical offerings included gospel harmony, bluegrass, Gregorian chant, church praise teams, and cottagers who shared original compositions. A dramatist, a VBS program, an artist, a Missions Fair, an evening hymn sing, and an afternoon painting party were included in the program as well, fostering fellowship and faith.

While there have been many blessings, it has also been an exceptionally challenging year for BSCM. We have encountered several unforeseen financial hardships, including damage from windstorms, a change in pool regulations, fallen trees, rising utility and insurance costs, and more. Below is a summary of the significant expenses we’ve incurred beyond our regular operating costs:
1. Tree Work: $23,100 for safety measures (additional ~$9,500 for protecting newly repaired structures)
2. Bathhouse Reconstruction: ~$10,000 deductible for maintenance
3. Electrical Repairs: $2,700 to address damage from downed wires
4. Roof Repairs: ~$12,000 covered by donations for cabins #35 and #33
5. Insurance Increase: $3,600 to ensure continued coverage of camp-owned facilities

Every year, we choose a scripture-based theme to guide our community at BSCM. For 2025, our theme is “Unity in Christ.” Now, more than ever, we need to come together in unity to address the financial challenges facing BSCM. Would you consider prayerfully supporting BSCM as we strive to meet the urgent year-end financial need of $15,000? A gift of any amount is appreciated as we work together to support our beloved camp meeting.

Through unity in Christ and with grateful hearts,
President Mildred Hernandez and the Board of Trustees
Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting

Contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 7347, Wilmington DE, 19803, or give online by clicking here or by sending funds via Zelle to bscm1866@gmail.com

Read more about the bios of our speakers and musicians for Camp Meeting week!

Jamie DiMaio (Saturday, Aug 3, at 7pm)
Jamie Marie DiMaio is a singer local to the Chester County area and has had a love for performing since she was just 3 years old. Jamie is excited to share her passion of singing with Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting this summer. After finding a love for singing in church at a very young age, Jamie has grown up living a life full of music and performing. When she is not at work or with her family, Jamie enjoys singing in her church with the Praise Team, performing and directing in local community theatre, performing at local events/festivals, or just singing Disney princess songs in the car along with her beautiful daughters. Please join Jamie as she uses her God-given talents to praise Jesus through song! Special appearance from Jamie’s very own grandfather, Jimmy Ray Montgomery.

Pastor Ronnie Arias (Sunday, Aug 4, at 11am)
Pastor Ronny Arias was born in Costa Rica and moved to the United States in 1987. He met Guiselle in Costa Rica, they finished college together and were married in 1992. For 13 years, Ronny has been the pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Amor Agape in Roselle, NJ. Ronny and his wife Guiselle have been Cottagers at Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting since August 2022.

Pastor Jeff Boettcher (Sunday, Aug 4, at 6pm)
Jeff is the founding and lead pastor of Christ Church South Philadelphia. Pastor Jeff also serves as the team chaplain for the Philadelphia Phillies and is a leader in several church planting collaborations across the US. He has a Master’s of Sacred Theology from Grimke Seminary and lives in Philadelphia with his wife and three children.

Pastor Paul Foster (Mon – Fri, Aug 5-9, at 10am)
Paul Foster is a retired pastor —- Christian school teacher + administrator —- and retirement community chaplain. He and his wife Kathy have 8 grandchildren and one great grandchild. They live in Bel Air, MD (near 6 of the grandchildren.) Paul’s hobbies include birdwatching, fishing and spending time with the grandchildren.

Barry Gray (Mon – Fri, Aug 5-9, at 7pm)
Barry has been married to the love of his life since August 1971. He started in ministry in January 1971 helping to establish the “Jesus People Movement” on the east coast in Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia Pennsylvania through the ministry of Immanuel Baptist Church. After that he served non-denominational churches before God called him into the Presbyterian Church USA in 1996 where he served for 17 years before moving his ordination to A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) in 2013. He attended Elim Bible Institute and is a graduate of Liberty Bible College (Pensacola, FL) and Princeton
Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. Since becoming a Presbyterian, he has been deeply involved in the work of several presbyteries and served on the ECO National Theological Task Force for 5 years. For the last several years Barry has been working as a Transitional Pastor at churches in Delaware and New Jersey and he is
currently serving as Transitional Pastor at Kirk of the Keys in Marathon, Florida.
Barry has been involved for many years in mentoring other pastors and providing support for pastors and churches in times of trouble. He’s done extensive work with those struggling with sexual brokenness and addiction. He is an ECO Certified Coach and has learned to integrate those skills in his ministry as a pastor. Spiritual wholeness and theological integrity are foundational in his ministry as he seeks to build up the church and connect people with the Living Christ that they may find healing, hope and new life in him.

Crossfire Praise Band (Saturday, Aug 10, at 7:30pm)
Crossfire is the Praise Band of the First Presbyterian Church–Newark, located on Main Street in Newark, DE. We have been together for over 10 years, adding and losing some members along the way, but never changing our desire to inspire listeners to experience the joy and blessings of having the Holy Spirit enter their hearts. Our repertoire includes classic hymns, camp meeting standards, contemporary Christian artists, and twisting lyrics to put a Christian slant on secular songs.

Pastor Richard Purchase (Sunday, Aug 11, at 11 am)
Dick Purchase began his pastoral ministry in Lebanon, Connecticut in 1959 following graduation from Barrington College (now merged with Gordon College). He later served 3 other churches in CT. and PA. In 1964 he received the M. Div degree from Hartford Seminary. By listening to and analyzing 2024 Camp Meeting program input he hopes to glean clues as to the future direction of B.S.C.M. as it thrives in turbulent and confusing times not unlike those experienced at its’ beginning in 1866.

A variety of plants will be available outside the Biddle Hall before and after the luncheon on REFRESH Day (Saturday, June 29.) Come find a new plant for your cottage or your home garden! “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” Luke 12:27

Learn about camp meetings from “Sheffy”

Friday, June 28th at 7 pm

The film “Sheffy” was filmed at a camp meeting and is based on a true story of Robert Sheffey, an American circuit-riding preacher of early 1800’s.  An unusual servant of God, Sheffy was a rowdy young man who followed his friends to Camp Meeting where he learned to seek first the kingdom. 

“Brother Sheffey” then rides through the Appalachian Mountains spreading the gospel from Camp to Camp.  And although he suffers the loss of his two greatest treasures in one day, Sheffey still finds forgiveness in his heart for the person who caused his sorrow. The film challenges assumptions while  capturing the compassion of a man whose soul is on fire for the Lord.

Katherine Stenholm directed a crew of 76 and a cast of about 800, and the film includes a musical score by Dwight Gustafson. A large camp meeting scene was filmed at the nineteenth-century Epworth Camp Meeting in Greenwood, South Carolina, and other scenes were shot at Cades Cove and the Pioneer Farmstead in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, plus other nearby sites.

Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Please, bring a snack or drink to share

Fresh popcorn will be popping!