Ron Johnson – Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado … The 25th annual Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Cowboy Camp Meeting was held in the scenic valley surrounded by 12,000-foot peaks in the Uncompahgre National Forest of Western Colorado, July 9-13. Attendees came from as far away as California and Georgia, and a common theme of conversation was that this is one of the most beautiful locations in Colorado.
There are no facilities at this site, except for portable toilets that were brought in, and it is next to a wilderness area, so campers brought their own accommodations ranging from motor homes, travel trailers, truck campers, tents, and even a few brave souls who slept in hammocks.
Nathan and Charlote James presented inspiring messages in the morning and evening. Nathan is lead pastor at the Hot Springs and Custer Seventh-day Adventist Churches in South Dakota. His wife, Charolet, has a master’s in music education and serves at the state veterans’ home as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN). In addition to morning and evening meetings there was a women’s tea, a plant walk to identify edible plants, and a Sabbath School for the little campers.
The theme of Nathan’s messages was having a mountain experience with God and nature. He began his messages with fascinating stories of amazing ants, capturing bobcats in chicken coops, mountain goats licking salt from hikers, and a flying squirrel that he thought was a bear leaping on him while sleeping in his hammock at 2:00 a.m. one morning. He also talked about life-saving wilderness rescues and wilderness quotes by Ellen G. White and naturalist John Muir.
Nathan spoke of the importance of each of us to make gratitude a primary focus in our lives and how it would influence us, asking, “what do I have to be thankful for and what benefits are lacking in my life because of a lack of gratitude?” He spoke of making sure there is room in our hearts for Jesus every day and not underestimating the power of our testimony.
Charolet’s messages were on Isaiah, a Bible book of contrast and complexity that presents God’s work of salvation with the themes of judgment, comfort, and hope. The first thirty-nine chapters are filled with judgment for sin, and the last twenty-seven chapters declare a message of forgiveness, comfort, and hope.
Charolet shared her study methods of journaling and highlighting texts using colored pencils to lace and develop Isaiah’s thoughts: red for when Jesus is speaking, blue for when Isaiah is speaking, yellow for happy thoughts, orange for warning, purple for sad, and green for instruction.
Tiffany Westmoreland, and attendee of the camp meeting, commented, “A highlight for me was the description of the character of Isaiah. His fiery rage against the iniquity of God’s people. Yet he sees God’s goodness and mercy in contrast to his own lack of love and empathy for God’s wayward people.”
The plant walk, attended by 23 people, was organized by the health and young adult ministries of Grand Junction Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grand Junction, Colorado, and led by the Health Ministry director, Duane-Sue Jardinico. Aaron and Jami Dove, attendees and members of the Grand Junction Church, stated that their favorite “tidbit” from the walk was learning that Aspen tree bark has yeast that can be used for baking bread and also learning uses for Arnica, red clover, various thistles, wild currants, yarrow, and wild red raspberry.
When asked what they enjoyed about camp meeting, the Doves remarked, “we really enjoyed the music at each meeting. There is something special about worshiping together in the mountains.”
The younger campers had their own Sabbath School class led by Cindy Pickell, from Ringgold, Georgia, and her helper, “Pumpkin,” a young adult from Monticello, Utah. Jami says, “The children enjoyed songs, stories, and art projects. Favorites [of theirs] were the sharing song and learning to share some toys. Another favorite activity was pulling nature items, such as flowers, pinecones, and leaves, out of a treasure box. Everyone learned how much Jesus loves us.”
Cindy and her husband Chuck Pickell enjoyed a nearby hidden waterfall accessed by a short hike through a field of columbines. When it came into view, Cindy clapped her hands with joy, removed her shoes and socks and waded in the cold creek—very briefly. When asked what she liked about Cowboy Camp Meeting, she reflected, “I really appreciated the wonderful, fun, upbeat gospel songs led by Charolet and Tiffany, and it was great to have so many musical instruments—accordion, ukulele, violins, guitars, and recorders. I also appreciated the pastor’s stories and the study of Isaiah, which is something I have not heard before.”
Chuck remarked, “I really appreciated the music and the selected speakers. A highlight for me was getting to know people, and I am thankful for the attitude of everyone from the leaders to the attendees. Everyone was so helpful!”
Karen Fishell, also a member of the Grand Junction said, “[This is] my first time to camp during the camp meeting, and it was an amazing experience. We were blessed by friendly people, incredible views, wonderful music, and speakers! A special blessing was a women’s tea on Friday afternoon. Cindy Pickell loves to do teas with women. She brought the table settings, teas, juice, pastries/cookies/muffins, and encouraging notes. There were even hats if you wished to borrow them. With a dozen women from many places, she orchestrated introductions, affirmations, and prayers. We met new friends and were encouraged and blessed by this experience.”
Several people expressed their appreciation of the efforts by the organizers to provide this camp meeting in the mountains each year saying it affords a special blessing not found in other camp meetings. Next year’s RMC Cowboy Camp Meeting is scheduled for July 8-12, 2026.
—Ron Johnson is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is the RMC Cowboy Camp Meeting treasurer. Photos supplied.
