AUBURN - The main field of Melone Village was transformed into an outdoor sanctuary from July 5 to 8 for the eighth annual Camp Meeting of the Joshua Generation of the Holy Ghost Deliverance Center. A large white tent and several smaller tents were erected to serve as worship areas.

The four-day event included evening services for families, seminars for adults and games and workshops for children. The camp typically attracts more than 150 adults and children to the various services and activities.

The Holy Ghost Deliverance Center is a small, predominately African-American church in Auburn that networks with other independent churches in central New York. Eloise Benjamin, of Auburn, is the youth pastor and one of the coordinators of the camp meeting.

“This is our eighth year holding this event, and the seventh time in Auburn. The first time was in Syracuse,” she said, but noted Cayuga County has been helping this group for the past four years. “We try to focus on education, careers and spirituality.”

Then she explained why the youth group is called the Joshua Generation.

“I was in South Africa working with young people. Young people everywhere face obstacles, but in the Bible, it was the young people who entered into the promised land, led by Joshua,” she described.

Last Saturday's program, which was planned especially for children and teenagers, featured information tables, games and activities from service agencies such as the Cayuga County Health and Human Services Department; SAVAR; Eat Well, Play Hard; the Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Auburn Fire Department.

“We give more than 200 presentations a year across the county,” said Rosa Grube, the education coordinator of SAVAR. “Today we'll be playing games that teach a safety lesson, like the buddy system, or if they have a problem they can turn to an adult.”

The main speaker at the evening services and the closing Sunday morning services was the Rev. Naomi Williams from Savannah, Ga. Church Pastor Alberta Whitaker, Apostle Mary Benjamin, Evangelist Vera Benjamin and Minister Sue Ferguson spoke at other services or seminars.

Music was an important part of the camp meeting. Gospel singing, special performances by the Sue Ferguson and the Perpetual Praise People and a band were schedule to keep the people happy and full of spiritual joy. Prayer, praise and worship time complemented the music.

“We have a wonderful time here,” Benjamin said. “We want to keep the community healthy. Our theme is 'Come Together as One.' Every year, we try to give the kids something special to do. The kids and their families have helped us, too. After all, this is not our camp meeting, it's their camp meeting.”

But at the heart of the event was a love and respect for the word of God.

“I'm a minister in training,” said Michael Cassard who served as volunteer for the event. “I came up here from Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina hit. This is my first time as part of this event. In Louisiana, I was a youth minister. Our plan is to change the city of Auburn, to encourage people to believe in God and go to church. I just want to get out there and preach the gospel.”