Submitted by Bill Berryhill, Jr.

A Memorial to Bro. Bill Berryhill, Sr

Dr. William A. Berryhill, Sr.
1930 - 2006

My father, affectionately known as "Bro. Bill", had been affiliated with the camp since it's earliest days back in the 1960's. In those days, there were just a couple of churches involved, Bro. Garmon's and dad's, and there was only a summer camp. The groups were small, but ever so wonderful. There seemed to be a working of the Holy Spirit there like no other place. Each year more and more lives would be changed and the fruit of this labor of love would be shown in the lives changed and influences made years down the road. It was in those early days, that I met the Lord at a service in the Old Mill chapel in the summer of 1970.

As the camp grew and even when the location changed the working of the Holy Spirit never has. Adult and winter camps have been added which only extend the reach and influence of this place around the country and globe. More churches are now part of this wonderful setting which continues the missionary theme, from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.

Dad's love for this camp was evident in all that he did during his years of ministry. He would be the first to say that, one of the greatest influences and blessings during his life were the days spent at what is now known as the Beech Mountain Bible Conference. Countless numbers of individuals from the churches dad pastored, attended the camp year after year and impact that one week made on their lives is evident to this day.

Dad, went to be with the Lord on November 5th, 2006 after a courageous battle with a brain aneurysm. We'll all miss his humor and the wonderful stories he could tell about the many adventures he had at the youth camp in North Carolina.

Bill Berryhill, Jr.

Submitted by Mrs. Kathy Silver

A Testimony

First of all let me take this opportunity to thank the Lord for my salvation. For a wonderful christian mother and also for my church family. Rev. Garmon, his family, the church and the camp have been and still are a huge part of my life.

I started going to Drew Park Baptist Temple (aka Gateway Baptist) when I was 3 years old. We lived across the street from the church and my mother was there every time the doors were open so that meant I was too. I remember when I was about 6 years old Mrs. Garmon ask me about being saved. I went up with her and she prayed with me. I was so happy and couldn't wait to tell everyone. I will never forget that day.

When I was a teenager I started to attend the church camp that was held at The Carolina Bible Conference just outside of Boone, NC. I was so excited because my older brother had been there a few times and they always had so much fun. Now it was my turn and in the beginning that's all I could think about was the fun we were going to have. Well, we did have lots of fun, but the main thing that I remember is making sure of my salvation, sitting on those giant rocks in the river having bible devotions and feeling the spirit of God working in me and all the other teens and adults that were there. At camp you just felt closer to heaven on those mountains. The souls that were saved, the many that were called to do the Lord's work and all the others that were touched by the ministry while there is countless.

Now, years later when I had my children they were as excited as I was to attend camp. The camp wasn't at the same location, now it's Beech Mount Bible Conference and still in the beautiful mountains of NC. My children did attend and they received the same blessings that I did. The Garmon's have dedicated their lives to work for the Lord and they have done wondrous work through the camps they have held. It has been 49 years since I met them and they are still a huge part of my life and I consider them to also be a part of my family. Rev. Garmon isn't able to continue the work he loved but has turned over the camp to the very capable hands of his son to see that it is continued. I'm looking forward to the day when my grand daughters are old enough to go and grow in the Lord as it's been for past generations. I'll never be able to repay all the wondrous gifts and the spiritual growth that I have received through my life because of the work of Rev. & Mrs. Garmon. I pray that it can be continued for years to come.

~ Kathy Silver ~
         2006