Emphasis Preaching Journal

The Free Methodist Church in eastern Michigan held annual camp meetings and conferences out in the woods called "campgrounds." One huge tent would be pitched, large enough to hold 300 people. Its central location was surrounded by scores of smaller tents pitched by the families who attended. As a small child, their pulpit oratory fascinated me. So one day, when I was 17, I hopped into my Model A Ford roadster and drove over to their campgrounds near Flint. The preacher gave out his brief text with dignity.