Caswell celebrates 60 years

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CARY (BSCNC Communications) - At age six Rick Holbrook made the first of what would be many, many more trips to the east coast to spend time at Fort Caswell. What began as a child joining the church group on a retreat because he was the preacher's kid turned into a life forever changed through the preaching of God's Word and the testimonies of people who loved God. Summer after summer Holbrook attended events at Caswell such as World Missions Week when he heard from, to use his words, "real-live" missionaries like the ones talked about in RAs.

As soon as he was old enough Holbrook followed in the footsteps of his older brother and joined the summer staff at Caswell. He did everything from leading recreation to scrubbing pots and pans in the dish room, and loved every minute, working up until the last minute every summer before returning to college.

Now, nearly 60 years since Holbrook first came to Caswell and 60 years since the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC) purchased the Caswell property and buildings, some things are very different. For one, Holbrook is now Caswell director. He has watched the campus transform throughout the years, and in 1985 when he become director, began to see change firsthand. Holbrook saw NC Baptist Men step up and take the lead on renovation projects. He helped coordinate the work of volunteers from churches across the state who poured in on the weekends to help with construction and renovation.

During the Caswell summer staff reunion this summer, stories were told of the days when the barracks were about the only option for lodging. The Smith Conference Center was not built until 1989. Hatch Auditorium, now used for summer youth weeks, was not built until 1968. Some buildings, such as Lantana Lodge, have been renovated and others added, such as Redwine Cottage.

Caswell, a former war fort (click here for its history), is now used year-round to host various ministries and groups. From senior adults to youth, visiting the NC Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell year after year is tradition. And even though he grew up coming to Caswell and now serves there full time, "it never gets old," Holbrook said. "You never get it all figured out. There isn't a major in conference center administration." Holbrook is always looking ahead, looking to see how the Caswell experience can be improved. But for all the administrating and planning, he still makes time to visit with volunteers and North Carolina Baptists who come to Caswell. He greatly enjoys relationships made at Caswell, past and present. "I still have friends from those summer staff years," Holbrook said.

Another Caswell staff member, Brian Hemphill, shares a story similar to Holbrook's. Like Holbrook, Hemphill, now director of guest services, began coming to Caswell as a child. His grandfather served 38 years as pastor of Carolina Memorial Baptist Church in Thomasville and was "sold out on Caswell," Hemphill said. "He experienced it with the youth." Hemphill's grandfather participated in the programs at Caswell with the youth and if necessary, paid for youth to come.

Hemphill worked on Caswell summer staff three years and after school got hired as guest services assistant. Now, 17 years later, he still serves on Oak Island and "Caswell feels like my family," he said. Hemphill helped coordinate the staff reunion this summer, which included more than 300 former summer staff and some staff who worked in 1949, the first year Caswell was owned and operated by the BSCNC. They talked about the old days at Caswell, the heat, mosquitoes and no air conditioning. Yet, "the work was the same and the life change was the same," Hemphill said. Even after 60 years, the stories share a similar thread: lives changed at Caswell.

Hemphill met the woman who would later become his wife one summer when they both served on staff. He also keeps in touch with friends made at Caswell. More importantly than that, at Caswell Hemphill has grown in his relationship with Jesus Christ. "Here, He became a real presence in my life," Hemphill said.

Growing up Cindy Johnson heard all about Caswell from her older brother. She went the first year she was old enough to participate in youth weeks, the year before sixth grade, and has not missed a year at Caswell for the last 21 years. She has returned as a camper, as a student leader and as a worship leader.

In 2000 Johnson started Stage2 Ministries and now travels the state as a worship leader. Caswell is where Johnson felt God calling her into full time music ministry. For three years she served with Witness, a student group that spent the summer leading worship at Caswell for youth weeks and leading worship at events across the state. "That was really defining for me," Johnson said. "I began to understand what God was calling me to do with my life. God was developing that passion."

Caswell is a family affair for the Johnsons. Johnson's parents, along with other parents who chaperoned the yearly youth group summer trips to Caswell, bring all their families together once a year and enjoy a retreat at Caswell. "Now my husband is getting to experience this place I've talked about for all these years," Johnson said. Growing up her family also came to Caswell for work trips, doing everything from folding towels to washing out trash cans. "We loved Caswell so much we wanted to help keep it going."

For more information about planning a trip to Caswell click here. Caswell staff is working to obtain contact information for former summer staff - click here.