” A Gift That Keeps On Giving”
The history of the our camp begins with the Masterson’s Son. Over 2,000 years ago, the greatest Gift of all was given. It is because of the Lord Jesus Christ that we can share with you the wonderful testimony of Camp Masterson Retreat Center. In March of 1967, God sent Riverview Baptist Church our current pastor, Bro. Jimmy Gillmore. He came with a passion and a devotion to young people. We have found that over the past 39 years, his passion has been contagious for the whole church. It was in 1978 that the Lord started burdening him about starting our own camp ministry. Financially, there was no way that we could afford such an endeavor. Ignoring the facts, he led the Church to act on faith. We began to explore various possibilities. After experiencing many closed doors, we received some information about the old Bivins School being for sale. The property was located in Masterson, Texas about 50 miles from our church. After much prayer, Bro. Gillmore called the owner, Mrs. Betty Teel Bivins and arranged a meeting. In that hour drive of second guessing, knowing that we could not afford the facility, God kept the burden burning. The Holy Spirit kept reminding him that his Heavenly Father owned the cattle on a thousand hills. Finally, they arrived at the school, and Mrs. Bivins go out of her Jeep Cherokee, casually dressed. After the introduction, she gave them a guided tour of the facility. Throughout the tour, the burden kept burning within his heart. His stomach churned with the knowledge that we could not afford the facility. At the end of the tour, Mrs. Bivins asked him why we wanted the property. With a burning passion, he began to share his burden for a church camp – a vision where children from all walks of life could come and experience the gift of God’s love. It would be a place where children who were less fortunate could afford to come. With tears in her eyes, she began to explain that there were over twenty other groups who wanted the property. She continued to say that for some unknown reason, she continued to hold on to it. With that, she reached out and handed Bro. Gillmore a wad of keys. She said that there was nothing to keep her from just giving us the property. That was in December of 1979. In June of 1980, we had our first camp. We had about 100 campers that year. The first person to receive God’s gift of salvation was a young girl. She was an Apache Indian form Hobbs, New Mexico. Her name was Julie “Afraid of a Bear.” She was grateful that she wrote a thank you note on the sidewalk. It said, “we love you Mrs. Bivins!”
The gifts keep coming, year after year. Over the past 24 years, we have witnessed over 500 professions of faith and over 100 have surrendered to full-time service. This has been a period of life changing decision. It all began with the Gift of the Master’s Son. Then, Mrs. Bivins gave the gift of land. Now the Kelley family have been called to share the gift of love to every young person that comes our way. Camp Masterson Retreat Center on has truly been a gift that has kept on giving. What will you give to keep it going?