A Brief History...
The Red River Family Encampment, Inc. began in June of 1987 as an effort to strengthen families and churches of Christ in Northern New Mexico. We were the dream of Harold and Sally Paden, missionaries to Northern New Mexico, who had seen a similar program known as the Yosemite Family Encampment in California. During our first two years of operation, we were overseen by the Elders of the Southwest church of Christ in Amarillo, Texas and financially supported by the Montgomery Blvd. church of Christ in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Skillman Avenue church of Christ in Dallas, Texas, and interested individuals. After the 1988 encampment the Elders in Amarillo placed the encampment under an independent Board of Directors and incorporated the encampment as a Not-for-profit Corporation in New Mexico. Edwin F. White, preacher and Elder for the Eastside church in Phoenix, AZ serves as the President of the RRFE Board; Harold Paden, now deceased, veteran missionary to Italy and Northern New Mexico served as our first Vice-President; Sally Paden, widow of Harold and now deceased, and veteran missionary herself, served as the first Secretary of the Board; Vernon Robinett, former Elder of the Southwest church in Amarillo, and one of the founding Elders, now serves as Secretary/Treasurer; Jerry C. Lawlis, Stateside Mission Coordinator for Quito School of Biblical Studies, Quito, Ecuador, serves as the Executive Director; Hal Blackburn, Minister, Amarillo, TX; Richard Jones, Pulpit Minister, Madill, OK; Ray Candelaria, serves as Vice-President, Rio Rancho, NM; Mike Scott, Pulpit Minister, Prescott, AZ; and Gary Williams, missionary to Italy, compose the RRFE Board.
New Mexico was chosen to host the encampment because of its beautiful scenery, cool summers, and the housing available in the small ski area community of 400 which has enough beds to sleep 6000. After that first encampment in 1987, when we met on the ski slopes, and 400 attended that first effort, the encampment has steadily grown, with attendance in 2002 being near 3000. Now we meet under a big circus tent in the middle of town. It is exciting to see folks from all over the Midwest and Southwest begin to show up in town. They come to the tent on Friday at noon to begin to place their lawn chairs under the tent to get the best seats or seats with their family. Then on Saturday evening when we begin to sing, and fill the Red River Valley with our praises to GOD, you will think you have almost entered into Heaven.
We do not charge a fee to attend the encampment. However, we do take a free will offering on Sunday morning to offset our expenses. None of our speakers are paid an honorarium; housing is provided for them and some are helped with their travel expenses if they were asked to come a long way. So far our campers have paid our bills every year and our speakers have generously donated their time and talent to this event.
There is much to do in and around Red River. Best trout fishing in New Mexico, biking, backpacking, four-wheeling, shopping, visiting the artists and Indians in Taos (40 minutes away), three golf courses within 40 minutes drive, tennis courts, go-carts, miniature golf, video games, swimming, horseback riding, visiting with your family, or just sitting and taking in the breath-taking scenery. You will never run out of something to do at RRFE.
Plan to be with us this June.
Call 806.468.7676 or encampment@rrfe.org