Seeing God at Camp: Ruth Campbell’s Story of Faith and Transformation
From Correctional Ministry to Camp Pecometh
When Ruth Campbell stepped onto the grounds of Camp Pecometh this summer, she wasn’t sure what to expect. A consecrated Deaconess with the United Methodist Church since 2023, Ruth has spent more than four decades serving others—most recently as a physician’s assistant in the corrections system.
Her ministry has often focused on what she calls “the least and the lost”—people facing some of life’s hardest challenges. But camp ministry? That was new territory.
Growing up unchurched, Ruth never attended church camp herself. “My only experience was as a Girl Scout leader,” she joked, calling it “glam camp.” But when she was invited to serve as a volunteer Spiritual Life Coordinator at Pecometh, she said yes with an open heart.
A New Perspective on Spiritual Life at Camp
Throughout the week, Ruth helped guide campers and staff through moments of spiritual reflection and connection. She led Bible studies, evening vespers, and even the Galilean service by the Chester River—a beloved Pecometh tradition.
What she witnessed during her time on camp was more than she expected. “Again and again,” Ruth shared, “I saw God moving in powerful ways in the lives of these kids.”
A Moment That Left Her Speechless
One of the most impactful moments came during the Galilean service. Ruth asked the campers where they had seen God that week. One child quietly raised their hand and replied:
“I saw God in you.”
For someone who describes herself as rarely at a loss for words, Ruth was stunned. “I was done,” she said. “I had nothing to add. God had spoken through that child in a way that went straight to my heart.”
Watching Campers Grow in Faith and Confidence
Over the course of the week, Ruth noticed a remarkable transformation in the campers. Many arrived feeling unsure or shy, but day by day, she saw them open up—gaining confidence, building friendships, and deepening their faith.
“The counselors and staff made such a difference,” Ruth said. “You could see how the kids began to feel more comfortable and started to see Christ in one another.”
She was also struck by how young people stepped into leadership roles, took initiative, and fully embraced the mission work built into the camp experience.
“The organization was incredible, the leaders were strong, and the kids were truly being the hands and feet of Christ.”
The Gift of Being Unplugged
In a world filled with constant screen time, Ruth appreciated the simple joy of being unplugged at camp. “It was just good to be,” she said. “The kids were present—with God, with each other, and with the beauty of nature.”
That stillness, that presence, made space for deep connection—both with others and with Christ.
A Week That Changed Her
Though she came to serve, Ruth says she left deeply ministered to.
“I was honored that God allowed me to do this,” she reflected. “To be part of something where children encounter Christ and discover they are loved—it’s transformative.”
At Camp Pecometh, Ruth witnessed firsthand what so many already know: summer camp changes lives.
She saw it in the joy of the staff.
She saw it in the eyes of the children.
She saw it in the simple, sacred ways God showed up.
Most of all, she saw it in the words of a child who saw God in her—a reminder that when we open ourselves to God’s work, transformation happens not just in others, but within us, too.