DAVIS—Falls Creek Baptist Indian Assembly—or “Indian Falls Creek” (IFC) as it is often called—has become one of the most uniquely impactful events in the country, since the annual family camp gathering was established in Oklahoma in 1947.
Recreational activities, such as volleyball, are always a hit at IFC
The 2019 IFC, which took place July 28-August 1 at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center, was as impactful as ever, with more than 2,600 campers attending, who represented more than 25 tribes and more than 250 churches.
“Indian Falls Creek is a widely anticipated annual tradition for many churches and members,” said Victor Cope, executive director of the IFC board of directors.
“Indian Falls Creek was established with a spiritual purpose,” he added. “One of the founding documents reads, ‘The objective of this assembly in its annual meeting shall be to foster and promote Christian training, inspiration, fellowship, evangelism and missionary zeal among the Indians in their Baptist church life.’”
According to Cope and IFC leaders, the 2019 encampment achieved those purposes and more, with activities ranging from recreation, crafts, teaching times, worship services, a blood drive, a health fair, Bible studies, as well as a camp VBS for children.
Each day offered unique moments for campers to engage with God and one another. There were morning classes to provide Bible study and discipleship training. There were afternoon activities designed to encourage fellowship and family fun, and all campers gathered for daily morning and evening worship services.
The Indian Falls Creek planners and leaders pose for a group picture
Serving as camp pastor was retired Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) Executive Director-Treasurer Anthony Jordan, who preached in each of the evening worship services which took place in Falls Creek’s RA Young Tabernacle. Jordan emphasized the importance of sharing “your testimony.”
“Every Christ-follower has a story to share. There are people here this week that need the Gospel, that need to hear your testimony. God can use your story to help change a life,” Jordan said.
On Monday evening, Jordan, preaching out of Philippians 4, proclaimed the peace we can have in Jesus Christ.
“We live in a world of conflict, both in our own hearts and homes as well as the world around us. The answer to the conflict that constantly surrounds us is Jesus,” he said.
“Peace has a name, and it is Jesus,” Jordan emphasized.
On Monday evening, July 29,, the third annual Veterans Recognition took place, with an American flag presentation.
From the invitation times, 284 spiritual decisions were made. According to Cope, these decisions included 117 professions of faith in Christ. “I challenged each cabin to share the ABCs of Salvation with each member in their group,” Cope said. “Bill Barnett (pastor of Seminole, Indian Nations) presented a skit, ‘The Multiplication Process’— one reaches one and then two reaches two more. Indian Falls Creek became the world, and we practiced fulfilling (the) challenges at camp this summer. The challenge is to go home and do what we did at Indian Falls Creek 2019.”
Cope also reported the IFC blood drive received 140 units of blood donated.
Throughout the worship services, several special recognitions occurred. On Monday evening, the third annual Veterans Recognition took place, with an American flag presentation. On Wednesday evening, Emerson Falls, BGCO Native American specialist, was honored for his ministry and service.
A significant feature during the services was opportunities for tribes to sing worship songs in their native languages. These included the following: On Sunday, the Pawnee, Potawatomie, Navajo each sang; Monday, the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Choctaw/Chickasaw; Tuesday featured Comanche, Cherokee; Wednesday featured Muscogee Creek and Seminole; and Thursday was Wichita, Caddo, Osage.
With more than 2,600 campers attending, more than 25 tribes and more than 250 churches were represented.
From IFC’s founding to today, the lasting impact on the lives of those who attend continues.
Jordan said on Twitter at the conclusion of the week, “Preaching Indian Falls Creek has been a wonderful experience. I love our Indian people. Long to see them saved and walking with Jesus as Lord. Many lives changed this week.”
Cope said, “Indian Falls Creek is a family camp for the Nations. All of the prayer, planning and activities were used by God to make an eternal impact.”
For more information about IFC, visit www.indianfallscreek.org.
