The dream of Camp Chacauco began over ten years ago in the hearts of missionaries Steve and Carol Thompson. They had prayed for many years for a strategic location to provide theological education, space for church retreats, facilities for summer camps and retreat cabins for Ecuadorian pastors. Today, that dream is a reality.
In 1996, they began construction on their first camp located at the edge of the eastern jungle of Ecuador. In addition to accommodations holding up to 60 people, recreations fields and a 200-person conference area, the Thompsons also participated in raising pigs, chickens, fish and vegetables. This entire project is part of Uniting Napo in a Project of Evangelism and Social Work (U.N.P.E.S.) that exists to provide valuable information and supplies with the Quichua Indian communities in the area. As they began this work and established the camp, their goal was to seek a variety of ways that they might help the local families, including such projects as fresh water, building of bathrooms (why and how), crop improvement, nutrition, family fish farms, family chicken projects, health, and educational helps for the local school and teachers.
In 1998 God laid on the Thompsons’ hearts the need to begin a camp in the central mountain area of Ecuador. After much prayer and time spent looking for property, the Lord provided nine acres in 2001. The land is located 45 minutes southeast of Ambato, the town where the Thompsons live. The vision for this campsite focuses on five areas of ministry.
- Theological Education
There is a great need for preparation of leaders in the local churches. Patate is strategically located in the center of the country and easily accessible. The climate is ideal and the beauty of God’s creation surrounding the campsite is breathtaking. Steve and Carol believe both local pastors and the national Baptist convention can use the area to provide theological resources and seminars for the purpose of equipping Ecuadorian pastors.
- Church Retreats
The local churches do not have an area where they can go for daylong or weekend retreats. They hope the camp calendar will be full of churches desiring to plan discipleship weekends, baptisms and fellowship retreats.
- Sports Camp
Several universities from the United States have expressed interest in coming to Camp Chacauco for the purpose of training Ecuadorians in the areas of sports evangelism and camp programming. The Thompsons see a great need for children and youth camps to expand to all areas of the family, including camps for single adults, couples, senior adults, etc.
- Children and Youth Ministry
The schools have always included in their school calendar specific days for field trips. In prior years, when the economy was better, the schools planned field trips to the beach, amusement areas, etc. Today their field trips are nothing more than a day at a local park. Steve and Carol have opened up their camp to be available for these field trips, providing the students a fun time in a beautiful location that is inexpensive and practical. Their vision is that the camp will maintain control over programming (sports activities and such), reserving the right to have a 45-minute block of time with the students and teachers to share the Gospel. They will also have the opportunity to follow up with the students and hopefully make contact with their families to begin friendships where the Thompsons and their staff can share the love of God.
- Pastor Cabins
The Ecuadorian churches provide a very limited salary to their pastors. With the 2-3 weeks of vacation a pastor receives each year, they can only afford to spend a few days traveling to see family and then are promptly back at home to finish the rest of their vacation. The Thompsons plan to build six to eight cabins that will be available to the pastors and their families.
All of these facilities and their strategic planning have their focus on improving, encouraging and enlarging Ecuador Baptist churches. The recent partnership with Servant Life will only go to further that reality as hundreds of students and adults participate in helping the Thompsons serve families and share Christ with children through the ministry of Camp Chacauco.
