Friendship Baptist Camp is set to expand its multipurpose gym building after a surprising series of events in early 2026 that can be characterized as God greenlighting the project.

The expansion has been part of the Master Plan guiding development at Friendship Camp but was only recently prioritized. It will add four new classrooms measuring approximately 450 square feet onto the side of the existing gym, which was completed in 2015.

Summer camp directors, who have favored breaking campers into small groups for Bible Study have been asking for better classroom space for years. However, the introduction of Ignite 33:3 Worship Arts added urgency to that need after using overnight cabins to house drumming and guitar lessons.

The Friendship Camp Development committee recognized the need and moved the expansion to its highest priority. However, they did not anticipate building so soon.

That changed after a January check-in from Walker Baptist Association, which is sending a massive mission team to the are in July. This team will be housed at the campgrounds.

After reviewing their itinerary, Walker Baptist Association desired to add another construction project to their list. That request was the first of many astonishing greenlights.

“Is this God at work?” Bro. Charles Stoops asked the Friendship Council during their February meeting.

He outlined a possible route to have them build the expansion, but it would mean working under a tight deadline. The mission team would need the concrete work and external walls up so they could finish the project. However, that phase of the project would need to be completed in May to avoid disrupting summer camps.

A series of greenlights would need to be given by key players to make the project feasible. The Friendship Council encouraged Bro. Charles to see how many obstacles could be cleared.

Remarkably, all key players and pieces of the project came together so that the expansion could proceed. Tractor work will begin immediately to smooth the area. Tyson Steel has been contracted for the concrete and exterior walls. The gym expansion should be fully boxed in and usable by our summer camps as extra recreation space although the classrooms themselves will be finished by the mission team later in the summer.

The project is estimated to cost around $86,000 and is funded by generous donations to the Together We Build Friendship fund. If you would like to contribute, you can use this link.