The Edge Christian Camp - Transforming Lives
In 2013, Scott surrendered to a call from the Lord to enter full- time Christian service. Unsure of which area God would call him, he began to pray and seek God’s will. After three years, God made it amazingly evident that His call was for Scott and Jennifer to build a Christian camp.
Though unsure of where they were to fulfill God’s newly discovered plan for them, they began taking survey trips beginning with West Virginia. While touring a camp for sale there, a lack of peace caused them to continue searching for God’s choice of a property. Though Mississippi and other areas were also prayed about, God kept returning their hearts home to Virginia. After deciding that Virginia was God’s choice, they met with lawyers to write the bylaws, put a board of directors together, and began the process to receive their non-profit 501(c)(3) status.
Three short weeks later, in the summer of 2016, The Edge Christian Camp, Inc. received its 501c3 status. Excited to discover the specific property of God’s choosing, the Carsley’s were led by contacts to meet with a gentleman who was selling a piece of property in Louisa, VA. After walking the beautiful property, they quickly placed a deposit on the land. The ban of swimming in the lake connecting to the property owned by the county presented an issue which could not be resolved. As a result, the Carsleys decided it was best to pull out of the contract. With mixed emotions, they waited to discover God’s next step.
In late December, Scott received a phone call from James Burnett with an interest in the ministry. After several meetings both with and without the board of directors, God made it clear that James was to be the first staff member of The Edge Christian Camp. James’s four years of camp experience, thirteen- year youth pastoring opportunity, and current deacon’s role made it evident that he had a love for serving the Lord.
After praying for God to show them the next door, our team of board members met in January of 2017 to discuss possible permanent camp location. They had looked at land that was connected to the South Anna River as well as an older established camp for sale. A large camp that was up for sale was also toured. The facilities on this property were in every way a perfect example of our vision for The Edge Christian Camp. With cleaning of the facilities, lives could be impacted for Christ immediately! The Lord blessed us with the ability to lease this camp property until December at zero cost! We were truly blessed with the events and activities we were able to host. Over five hundred heard the Gospel and many decisions were made. In December of 2017, we were notified this property was to be sold ending our agreement.
In 2018, after much prayer and seeking, the Carsleys were able to locate multiple properties as possibilities for the Edge’s permanent location. The Lord led to one property specifically. Through the generous donations of many people, God provided $225,000 to use as a down payment toward the purchase of the property. The sellers approved the offer, paperwork was signed and a few weeks later, the Lord finally provided a place for The Edge Christian Camp to begin reaching hundreds with the Gospel.
The Edge Christian Camp began its full year-round ministry in June of 2018 on the beautiful 283-acre established summer camp. Since camp had already been underway at the previous location, many tasks awaited to be accomplished right away. To properly organize the ministry, the team created their first policies, procedures, billing worksheets, etc. The goal was to begin The Edge’s very first summer camp season that year. They were unable to have camp in 2018 as the schedule was already booked for the year, but planning was begun for the 2019 summer season!
As they worked through the summer and fall, they were able to host several Edge events such as banquet dinners and open houses. As the winter approached, they began traveling to the colleges to recruit summer staff. They were able to recruit their first nineteen summer staffers for the 2019 summer camp season. Once June of 2019 came, they held their first summer staff training weeks after which the Edge’s first summer camp season began!
In 2019, they had 3 weeks of camp–two junior weeks and one teen week. Additionally, they were able to sponsor ten young people through their Compass Scholarship program which many generous donors helped support. Eight young people professed Christ as Savior throughout the first three weeks of the Edge’s summer camp ministry. As summer camp ended, they continued to minister to several groups managing their own custom camps as well as directing their own Edge retreats.
In the fall of 2019, James and Stacey obeyed the Lord’s moving back to their home state of Ohio. Though saddened to see them go, God led Carey Charles who had served as the camp’s grounds assistant, red team lead counselor, marketing director, and assistant camp director to become the camp’s new full-time camp director in 2022. Later, God provided many other permanent staff to fulfill the many needs of a growing ministry.
The Edge team is grateful for how God has led them and for the vast number of people through which God has extended the ministry. Our team at The Edge is dedicated to keeping the mission of this ministry “To disciple men, women, and children for the glory of God, and to promote their spiritual and physical well-being through year-round camps, conferences, retreats and education”. As the property is continually transformed into the new home of The Edge Christian Camp, they are excited to see how lives will be transformed forever through the work and ministry the Lord has established.
