About This Ministry

Our Purpose At Twin Lakes Summer Camp

The purpose of Twin Lakes Summer Camp is to provide a fun, safe, outdoor environment where campers learn from the staff to glorify God in every area of life.

The safety of our campers is our top priority, and we accomplish this by following government regulations, with knowledge and consideration of ACA guidelines, and keeping a 4-to-1 camper to staff ratio.

Being responsible for the health, safety, physical and spiritual development of young, impressionable boys and girls is no small task, and we do not take it lightly. Campers spend nearly 24 hours a day with their counselor, and they will remember them for the rest of their lives – thus we are very careful and deliberate in our hiring process. In our experience, those who love Christ, are growing in their relationship with God and who serve others are best suited to be trained to serve and minister to children within the community of summer camp.

Our Purpose At Twin Lakes Conference Center

Twin Lakes Conference Center and Summer Camp has been a ministry of First Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Jackson, Mississippi since 1970.

Twin Lakes was established to provide a center for the spiritual nourishment and physical relaxation for FPC, their families, friends and guests as well as others outside of their church with like motives. The church intends it to also establish programs to further God’s kingdom.

Twin Lakes strives to be an outreach by:

  • Providing a setting for individual churches and parachurch groups to have retreats, conferences and seminars for their spiritual growth.
  • Providing a Christ centered summer camp experience for children of other churches and communities that is focused on God’s word.
  • Sponsoring conferences and seminars for other churches and parachurch organizations.

History

Our Beginnings and Growth

In the 1960’s a few godly men began to discuss their vision for a camp and conference center. Their purpose was simple – a facility that could be an avenue for ministry through the transforming work of Jesus Christ in people’s lives. Twin Lakes was purchased in 1970 from Dumas Milner, and the first Board of Trustees appointed by the session of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson began work in that year. In 1972, the first Master Plan was developed, and in subsequent years the athletic field, old pool and pump house, and bird houses (which are the current Outback Cabins) were developed.

In 1974, Twin Lakes hosted their first day camp. Over the years, the program flourished and in 1980 the Lakeside Cabins were built. An interesting highlight of 1980 was the removal of two alligators, Allie and Gator, from the lakes because they had grown too large. In 1984, the Lakeside Dining Hall and Lakeside Conference Room were constructed and camp continued to grow. The horseback program for summer camp was also launched in 1980, and the barn was erected.

Aerial View of Twin Lakes

In the 1990’s, the pavilion and bridges over both lakes were built (the pavilion was rebuilt after the 1994 tornado). In addition, the swimming pool, challenge course, riflery and archery range, and fire tower were all built and the July 4th “Fireworks Camp” was initiated. In 2000, the Woodside Cabins and Dining Hall were built, which increased camp by over 200 campers per week. In 2005, the second phase of the master plan was completed with the building of the Northshore Lodges and the Lakeside Assembly Hall.

God has continually blessed Twin Lakes with godly leadership, and many faithful individuals have contributed to the ministry of Twin Lakes with a variety of gifts. We pray that God will continue to use Twin Lakes for the advancement of His Kingdom and that generations of people will be blessed by the future of this incredible place.

Statement of Faith

Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center is ministry of First Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Jackson, MS. The PCA’s statement of faith communicates what we believe about God and His Church and the ideas that shape our philosophy of camping and ministry.

  • We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
  • We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  • We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.
  • We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.
  • We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
  • We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
  • We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
  • We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
  • We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
  • While we hold to the Reformed faith, shaped by the Westminster Confession of Faith and the reformation principles, Twin Lakes’ purpose is to minister to and alongside the broad evangelical Church. We are part of a diverse body and to seek to minister to the whole of the Church.

To learn more about Reformed Theology click on any of the following links: