“Wanake…is a story of resourcefulness and faith…problems, opportunities and achievements. …It is an account of bold, imaginative people choosing to be faithful to their God.  At last it is a love story, the love of Christian people for their church, expressed through its camping ministry.  It is the love of God for the work of his people.” 

On a Friday in August of 1943 at the suggestion of the conference board of Christian Education a group of dedicated men met at the Virgil Camp farm near Beach City, Ohio.  After looking over the property and buildings that are now the heart of Camp Wanake, this site committee decided that the farm was well suited for the conference camp (of the United Brethren in Christ Church).  The sale of the property was closed on April 21st in the year 1944.  After more than two years of study, hard labor, publicity, and small educational events, Wanake was dedicated on July 4th, 1946.  1200 to 1500 people attended this day of celebration, which included an ox roast, worship service, dedication and evangelistic film.

The development of Wanake was indeed a walk of faith.  Wanake’s founders knew the need for a place in God’s creation set apart and hollowed which would promote Christian birth, growth and renewal through retreats, group experiences, fellowship, recreation, learning, and work.  They were not daunted by a shortage of materials or lack of labor, but trusted God for the power to accomplish this “God-sized” task.  The large bank barn that existed on the property was retrofitted to serve as the “temporary” dining hall and meeting hall. (Now six decades later the 1830’s barn is still the heartbeat of Wanake housing the dining hall and the largest indoor assembly area in camp.)  Local church buildings, which had been closed, were dismantled and the materials used to build cabins and furnish the camp buildings.  Even the bell from the closed Blough Church was put to use and still calls out the hours at Wanake. 

Throughout these three score years of ministry, Wanake has touched many lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Campers, retreaters, church picnic goers, volunteers in many roles, summer staff, and neighbors have experienced this “beautiful, spiritual place among the hills” and will never be the same.  Mel Moody, the first camp director, established Wanake as a place where “living love comes first.”  He experimented with small group, decentralized camping, which was in its inception at the time, and found that living together in community was rich in its impact on participants’ growth in faith.  Mel also emphasized training leaders.  Wanake’s leadership has continued this tradition by training each generation of leaders for ministry in camps, local churches and the world.  Encouraging leadership while living in Christian community has been the core of Wanake’s impact for the Kingdom of God for 60 years.

Now six decades later, Wanake still lives in the strong tradition of its roots.  Wanake’s story is still one of resourcefulness and faith - problems, opportunities and achievements. It continues to be an account of bold, imaginative people choosing to be faithful to their God and a love story.  A story of “the love of Christian people for their church, expressed through its camping ministry.  It is the love of God for the work of his people.”  A story of people choosing a community of faith where “living love comes first!”