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1958-1964 1964-1993 1965-2006 1970

1958 Richard Wood was in- 1964 Whisnants began working Camp Good News began by George Eager, Because of a lawsuit, CBM voted to pull out of teaching in the
volved in Cordele, GA in Cordele, GA founder of Mailbox Club Int‘l. He and his public schools in 1970. Other avenues of ministry such as The
1959 Margaret Meyer came from 1971 campers were taken to wife resigned from their work with the Mailbox Club Int‘l, Bible clubs, and retreats were started.
camp in 1984.
Florida to Greene County Camp Victory, Samson, AL NGM originally was known as Now Generation Ministries
1961 Juanita Durham replaced 1985 Samson and Ruth Whisnant began until the name was changed to Neighborhood Gospel Missions,
working with Camp Good News
Wood in Cordele, GA January 1993 Whisnants Inc. Mrs. Mackey and Rev. Bill Carpenter founded NGM in
1964 Virginia Tarbox came to moved to Alabama which 1993-2004 Ken Kalback directed the camp 1971. NGM camp has been held different years at Camp
Cordele, GA from Florida ended the work in Cordele, GA 2004-06 Cecil and Dorthy Burkett directed Stephens, Crawfordville, GA, Camp Indian Springs, Indian
Camp Good News; dissolved in 2006
Springs, GA and is presently held at Lizella, GA.
Left: Samson Whisnant listening to student reciting verses Samson & Ruth Ruth Whisnant teaching a Bible class Sarah Patterson at
Right: Samson helping with luggage at camp Whisnant and family at Camp Stephens

From Left to
Right

Richard Wood
Margaret Meyer
Juanita Durham
Virginia Tarbox
Georgia Branch of CBM continued

During the time of segregation Samson visited mostly black schools. He thor- Tennessee Temple University, in 1971, to serve as the
oughly enjoyed the children because they were very open with him. There were librarian, then later at two other Christian colleges.
approximately 10,000 per month in chapels. Gospels of Johns, New Testa- However, through those years in Christian education, I
ments, story books, Bibles and a free week at Bible camp were awards for continued a close relationship with CBM, serving on the
learning their Bible verses. CBM National Board, and the state boards for Ponder-
This area began a pilot program with switching from memorizing Bible verses osa Bible Camp in Mentone, North Alabama and Camp
to doing Mailbox Club Bible lessons. Many boys and girls have come to a sav- Gilead in Polk City, FL. I often spoke at Ponderosa and
ing knowledge of Jesus Christ, and many of these are pastors and church leaders Gilead as well as the NGM Camp. While I was working
today. in the library at Temple I began Sarah‘s Ministry and
used the name in my children‘s ministry at Temple and
at the Highland Park Baptist Church‘s chapels and area
Testimony from former camper and CBM staff member, Sarah Patterson Christian schools. Later, I continued to minister under Miss Sarah Patterson
It was 1952 and I was 12 years old and in the seventh grade when a classmate the name while I was librarian at Toccoa Falls College
told me about the CBM camp. and for the past 14 years in Neighborhood Gospel Missions.
A few Sundays later, our Sunday School teacher announced a contest based Because of health problems I had to end my library career in 1995 and thought
on regular attendance, Bible verses, etc. and the winner would receive a FREE perhaps my ministry was over. In 1966 Dr. Bill Carpenter, co-founder and
WEEK AT BIBLE CAMP! We worked hard and I and three others in my class president, invited me to work at my own pace with NGM and live in Crawford-
earned a week of camp! It was the greatest week of my life! ville at Mrs. Mackey‘s former home.
I continued to attend our GA CBM camp through high school and college, NGM has continued to flourish through the years. We now have our own
serving as a junior and then a senior counselor. Rev. Kenneth Amsler, CBM NGM Camp Bethesda in progress on 40 acres near Lexington, GA and look
General Director, told me at our Tennessee Temple University (TTU) Missions forward to soon having our first camp there. The local ministry has grown to
Conference that CBM had camps in other states. I became a college counselor include missions and mission trips to various countries. I am now retired but
at Camp Gilead, in Polk City, FL the following summer, the end of my fresh- remain a part of NGM. I am living at Lanier Gardens Retirement Community,
man year. in Athens, GA. I continue with NGM/Sarah‘s Ministry through Moose Moun-
By the time I graduated from TTU I knew the Lord was leading me to serve tain on the web and as opportunities are given to speak and witness here at
Him with CBM, which I did for almost 10 years. I returned to my alma mater, Lanier Gardens. Great is His faithfulness during these 52 years of ministry.
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