At this year’s ABCNJ Annual Session, we unveiled the most ambitious and visionary endowment campaign in our region’s history – Cedars of Lebanon 2020. Calling for the region’s churches and friends to raise $2,020,000 by the end of 2020, the endowment created will provide Baptist Camp Lebanon with the needed income to offset its systemic deficits and ensure that future generations of young people will encounter God in Christ each summer.

Baptist Camp Lebanon changes people’s lives. Each summer, hundreds of children and adults attend activities at camp, with dozens accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Others grow in their faith, meet life-long friends and spouses, and hear God’s call to become leaders. However, it is not possible for Lebanon to charge what it costs to have a young person attend camp. If we did, children from less affluent families would be left out. This is why we have launched the Cedars of Lebanon 2020 campaign. The goal is ambitious but achievable!

We are inviting every ABCNJ church to join with at least 100 other ABCNJ churches to pledge to raise $10,000 or more by 2020 – that would bring in $1,000,000! Please share this invitation and challenge your church to join the campaign by April 20, 2014 - Easter Sunday.  You have 7 years to actually raise the money.  Donations will be immediately put to work on Lebanon's behalf - so, the sooner we reach the goal, the better for Lebanon!

To aid churches in this campaign, the region has created 3 pieces: 1) an 8 page Cedars of Lebanon 2020 pamphlet; 2) an individual Pledge/Gift form; and 3) the Church Pledge/Gift Form. These can all be obtained by emailing the office at office@abcnj.net.

We begin the Cedars of Lebanon campaign with commitments of over $158,000 – almost 8% of the goal! ABCNJ’s ministry team has pledged over $35,000. Council leaders have committed to $12,000. Alumni and other individuals have promised or given over $20,500. And we already have over $90,000 in pledges or donations from 8 churches!

And now it is your turn to make a difference; please get your church on board! And consider how much you as an individual or family might contribute. Cash, stocks, and placing Camp in your will are all options!

Please note: 100% of your donation will go into the Cedars of Lebanon 2020 endowment, which will be managed by our ministry partner, the American Baptist Foundation. The Foundation can assist you in creating an annuity, transferring stock, or adding Lebanon to your will. Write to office@abcnj.net and we will get you in contact with an ABF representative.