Campers on Mission
by Cathy and Wilton Whigham
Campers on Mission (COM) are a national fellowship of Christian campers who want an opportunity to share their faith and love of Jesus Christ while camping or participating in missions activities. Sponsored by the Adult Volunteer Mobilization Unit of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, membership is open to Christian campers of all denominations.
COM participate in short-term missions projects across the United States and Canada. Typically, these projects last a week or more. They could be anything from construction, disaster relief work
, and Backyard Bible Clubs to projects at festivals, state fairs, campgrounds, NASCAR races, parades, or truck stops. In many creative ways, COM combine their love of outdoors with ministry across America. A theme or motto is "AS-U-GO be on mission". There are over 30 states with active COM chapters. The Alabama chapter has over 275 families.
Wilton and Kathy Whigham have been active members of Alabama COM for the past 16 years and have participated in over 90 mission projects. They have served as the project coordinators/leaders for over 50 of the missions they have participated in. This year, Wilton and Kathy have already spent 70 days on mission, which included missions to Camp Baldwin Baptist Camp, Elberta, AL; Dowling Park, Florida, First Baptist Church; and Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center, Talladega, AL.
At Camp Baldwin there were 34 COM involved in a project. The men were building an addition to two of the camp´s existing buildings to provide more conference space. The ladies assisted the camp with house keeping, dining room duties, making items for sale in the camp store, and sewing for "Hemmed in Prayer" and "Voice of the Martyrs" ministries.
At Dowling Park 
there were 41 COM involved in a project. The men were building a new fellowship hall, warming room, worship center, and offices for the church. The ladies were involved in puppet ministries at local nursing and assisted living facilities, and sewing for "Hemmed in Prayer" and "Voice of the Martyrs" ministries.
At Shocco Springs there were 31 COM involved. The men worked primarily on the new Weaver Chapel being built in the Adventure/RA camp area. They were also involved in painting bunk bed frames, concrete block retaining walls, and building and repairing benches. The ladies were involved in painting bunk bed frames and retaining walls; working in the laundry, and the bookstore, and the administration office. In addition the ladies did some sewing 
for "Hemmed in Prayer" and "Voice of the Martyrs" ministries.
Wilton and Kathy, God willing, will work in six more missions this year. They are scheduled to work three projects in New England in the summer. They will work at Shocco Springs again in September, at Oneida Baptist Institute in Kentucky in October, and the Peanut Festival at Dothan, AL. in November. Wilton and Kathy give praise and glory to God for His giving them the opportunity and ability to go on missions. Psalms 115:1a (NAS) states "Not to us O Lord, not to us, but to Thy name give glory". Their primary goal in the missions is to minister, witness, and give glory to God. They appreciate and covet the prayers of their Southside Baptist fellow church members.