The 2025 Ohio/West Virginia Regional Camp Meeting, held July 25–27 in Charleston, West Virginia, was a powerful gathering marked by deep spiritual renewal, generational empowerment, and Spirit-led ministry. Held under the theme “Forward Together,” the event united leaders, pastors, and members from throughout the region in worship, vision casting, and an unmistakable move of God.
A Weekend of Unity and Vision
The event opened with a Pastor’s Luncheon that emphasized connection and forward momentum. During this gathering, leaders and special guests provided updates on ministry initiatives and introduced new tools for streamlined reporting process for the region’s churches. Regional Bishop Mike Morgan cast vision for the weekend, clearly stating the purpose of the weekend was “to have church.” His charge sparked spiritual expectancy that carried through every service and gathering.
Friday Evening: A Call to Total Dependence on God
Friday evening’s worship, led by the Camp Meeting Worship Team and Choir, established a sincere and Holy Spirit-inviting atmosphere. Pastor Freddie Ward of Peterstown, West Virginia, preached from Ephesians 3:16–21, emphasizing the Church’s complete dependence on God’s power rather than human effort. His message, centered around the declaration, “God, I can’t, but You can,” drew from scriptures such as Philippians 4:13 and Hebrews 4:16 and called for fervent prayer, bold faith, and intimate relationship with Christ. Pastor Ward’s personal testimony of transformation and pastoral calling undergirded the message’s urgency. The evening concluded with a powerful prayer line, where attendees responded overwhelmingly to receive prayer, anointing, and personal ministry.
Saturday Morning: Walking in Power, Boldness, and Authority
Saturday morning’s worship began with the New Hope Chapel Choir and the Camp Meeting Worship Team, creating a celebratory environment that prepared hearts for the Word. The morning’s message, by Global Communications Executive Director Bishop Shaun McKinley, was based on Romans 8:11 and reminded the Church that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in every believer. That same Spirit brings resurrection power, boldness to speak truth, and authority for ministry. The message emphasized the Spirit’s role in sustaining endurance and courage for believers in the face of adversity. The service closed with a three-part altar response inviting those seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit, physical healing, or a fresh outpouring of God’s presence.
Saturday Afternoon: Honoring Faithful Servants and Ordaining the Called
The afternoon service served as a sacred moment of recognition and commissioning. Longstanding ministers were honored for their faithfulness, while other individuals were ordained into ministry. Each candidate was prayed over, anointed with oil, and presented with a prayer shawl and certificate of ordination. The Spirit’s presence was evident throughout the service.
Pastor Sylvia Morla of Willard, Ohio, brought the afternoon message in Spanish with live on-stage translation. Preaching from Psalm 19, Proverbs 3, and Hebrews 4, she called for hearts set ablaze by the Word of God. Her message highlighted the importance of Scripture-fueled revival and called leaders to consecration, integrity, and personal transformation.
Saturday Evening: iServe Launch and Prophetic Declaration
Saturday evening’s service brought the launch of iServe, a new regional ministry initiative designed to connect students with seasoned ministry leaders for hands-on training and mentorship. The program reflects the region’s strong commitment to raising up future leaders through intentional discipleship.
The message that evening was delivered in a tag-team format by three emerging voices: Pastor Ashton Knowles, Minister Michelle Kuhn, and Pastor Elijah Morgan. Preaching from Jeremiah 1, they declared that today’s generation is divinely chosen and empowered for renewal and restoration. The team challenged the Church to release young leaders and stop being an obstacle to their calling.
Their messages flowed together seamlessly and powerfully, culminating in another overwhelming altar response. Attendees sought healing, Holy Spirit baptism, and spiritual renewal through prolonged worship and prayer.
Sunday Morning: A Call to Break Up the Fallow Ground
The final service brought the weekend to a climactic and Spirit-saturated close. Regional Bishop Mike Morgan delivered an anointed message from Hosea 10:12, calling the Church to “break up the fallow ground,” a vivid image of spiritual barrenness resulting from routine, self-reliance, and complacency.
Morgan challenged leaders to pursue fresh anointing over familiar methods, urging them to stop relying on past experiences and instead seek new revelation from the Holy Spirit. “We’re not the farmers; we’re the farmhands,” he reminded them. His message included a candid confession of dependence on prayer and divine guidance, striking a chord with many in attendance.
He also issued a bold call for repentance, urging ministers to lead from humility and to stop silencing the gifts of the Spirit. The service ended with a powerful altar call that drew pastors and attendees to their knees, many weeping, surrendering, and recommitting to Spirit-led ministry. Following the altar service, appointments were announced, including a regional redistricting aimed at revitalization and future church planting.
A Model of Spirit-Led Excellence
Throughout the weekend, the Ohio/West Virginia region demonstrated a model of Spirit-led leadership, intentional empowerment of emerging voices, and creative excellence in communication. The Regional Communications Team was widely praised for their vibrant, viral content leading up to the meeting, drawing engagement across generations. Their work not only captured attention but also reflected an innovative, forward-thinking approach that other areas can look to as an example.
Looking Ahead
The Ohio/West Virginia Camp Meeting clearly reflected a region in motion. moving forward together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with an authentic leader at the helm and a generation of emerging ministers rising in passion, purpose, and power.
The weekend left no doubt that the Church in this region is breaking new ground and preparing for a fresh outpouring of God’s presence.
Report by Bishop Shaun McKinley, executive director of Global Communications and International Offices’ Representative to the Camp Meeting.
