122nd Bloys Campmeeting commences Tuesday

SKILLMAN GROVE – The 122nd annual Bloys Campmeeting begins with an 8pm worship on Tuesday, August 2 and ends with the 8pm worship on Sunday, August 7.

If you have never been, you are in for treat. We welcome you in celebrating this sacred tradition. Come and join with us at Skillman Grove, 17 miles southwest of Fort Davis on Highway 166. You can’t miss the place! All are invited to all events for worship, food, and fellowship. We hope you are the first of many generations in your family to celebrate this sacred tradition with us.

A few changes have come upon Bloys even as our traditions remain strong. Dr. William Bloys led the first meeting on October 10, 1889, at the suggestion of Mrs. John (Exa) Means. During a time when there were fewer fences and a lot more hostile people, it was difficult for a rancher to leave his stock and ride to town to attend to the duties of common worship. Rev. Bloys simply took worship to the ranchers, riding from ranch to ranch, and it was on such an occasion that Mrs. Means suggested that a central opportunity to gather and worship together for several days would be a marvelous experience for all.

Inspired by her suggestion and the knowledge that cowboys were not overly fond worshiping indoors, Dr. Bloys began plans for a three-day open air worship opportunity.

Thus began the 122-year old tradition. There were 47 people in attendance that year. Meals were cooked on open fires and in Dutch ovens and all the meat came to the meeting “on the hoof.” Worship was held under a brush arbor that was built on the spot by the men in attendance. Before the first meeting was over, plans for the following year were already under way. From that day forth, Bloys Campmeeting has grown into something indescribable, joyous and, we dare say, holy.

As things began to grow and change, campers found it much easier to purchase a tent than to build a brush arbor every year. Eventually that tent became a tin building that now seats close to 2,000 people. Four times a day next week, that Tabernacle will be overflowing with people from all walks of life who will gather for worship and Bible study.

Our preaching staff this year will change slightly as Rev. Dr. Mark Denison of First Baptist Church in Conroe replaces his brother Jim as the Baptist preacher. Rev. Dr. Jerry Hilton will return in the traditional role of the Presbyterian minister, teaching the 9am Bible Study. Worship will be celebrated at 11am, 3pm, and 8pm daily and will be led by revolving ministers of the other three hosting denominations.

Rev. Dr. Tommy Potter from Brite Seminary, TCU will return as the Disciples of Christ, and our Methodist minister will again be the Rev. Keith Wyatt of First United Methodist Church in New Braunfels. Our superintendent is Rev. Matt Miles from First Presbyterian Church in Fort Davis. Dr. Bloys said, at that first camp meeting, “Every denomination is going to be welcome here. There will be no line drawn because of different religious beliefs but everyone is welcome to come and worship with us.” We continue that tradition today.

There will be substantial changes in the Tabernacle music leadership although we expect the music to be inspirational as usual. John Hutchinson, who has occupied the organ bench for 26 years, will take this year off. As a result, our usual pianist, Janet Pumill will be playing the organ. Janet’s husband, Doug, our usual music director, will also not be in attendance this year. Their daughter, Amy Pumill-Stewart will be taking his place and her sister, Sallie Pollack will take her mother’s place at the piano.

Activities for children of all ages are available. Kip Nanniga, Pastor of Student Ministries from Riverbend Church in Austin, will lead the high school and college aged youth in the Nabertacle. From those college students all the way down to pre-schoolers, there is a place, a teacher, and an abundance of learning, love, and laughter to be shared.

Meals are taken in one of six cook sheds built around the Tabernacle. Attendees are asked to remember that each of those cook sheds as well as the Bloys Association rely upon your generous donations. At those cook sheds and on every porch on the grounds there will be conversation and fellowship shared by the many who return each year for this marvelous reunion with dear old friends and family. New friends will be made here each year as new folks are embraced during our week together.

Our articles of incorporation remind us of our purpose: “This Association is formed for the purpose of worship of Almighty God, and instruction in the Christian Religion by preaching the gospel of Christ and employing such other means of Scriptural improvement as may be consistent with and according to the Word of God as found in the Old and New Testament Scriptures.” After 122 years, this purpose remains our honor and our goal.