History

In the late 1930's, the first CBM (Children's Bible Mission) workers in North Carolina were Miss Lucy Peet and Miss Dorothy Strouss. They had an effective ministry in schools and summer camps in the western part of North Carolina. Later Mrs. W. B. Sample and Miss Margaret Turner carried on the work.

In 1948, after serving three and a half years in Tennessee, Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Johnson, Sr. Were transferred to North Carolina and Mr. Johnson was appointed Divisional Director.

Miss Joy Stiver, a recent Moody Bible Institute graduate, joined the Johnsons in 1950. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Weber came to North Carolina in 1955 from the Tennessee Division. With this additional staff to work in the schools, counties opened to the work. Joy spent many years working in the Statesville area and the Webers worked in schools in the Raleigh area.

A beautiful 70 acre wooded campsite near Raleigh, complete with recreation area, large tabernacle, dining room, cabins, swimming pond and other camp facilities, was purchased in 1955. The original cost of this camp was $35000.00, but it was offered to CBM for $12,000.00. (Even then that was a good bargain.) Faithful people, vitally interested in the salvation of boys and girls, have through prayer and gifts made many improvements possible since then.

Another phase of CBM ministry in NC since 1955 has been the work among the Lumbee Indians. Miss Grace Garthwaite built this work up and had an effective ministry in Robeson County for 26 years until her death in 1981. Dave & Kathy Johnson served in this ministry until 1991. The area then continued release time chapel classes in the schools with Barry and Susan Belles. Bobby and Karen Williams are now heading up the work in this area. In 2001 began Camp Grace. For more information visit their website.

Upon graduation from Bible school in 1961, Bob Johnson,Jr., son of the director, and his wife Debbie moved to NC to join the staff of CBM at New Life Camp. Bob became the Divisional Director in 1976 when Bob Sr.'s health failed two years before his death. He still holds this position today. Bob & Debbie's son Bobby and his wife Page began their full time ministry here in 1993.

Also, Aaron Miller, a former camper, CIT, and Cabin Leader joined the full time staff in 2000 as Program Director. George (former camper) & Sherry Wallace joined full time staff in 2001. Nathaniel Miller, a former camper, CIT, and Cabin Leader, joined full time staff in 2003. Trisha Price, a former cabin leader, joined the full time staff in 2005.

New Life Camp is owned and operated by CBM ministries of North Carolina and is part of CBM Ministries, Inc. (formerly called Children's Bible Mission). CBM Ministries, Inc. currently has ministries in six Southeastern states.