Bethel Christian Camp: “Birthed out of the history of CIU”

Founded in 1941 by CIU First Lady for African-American children

By Bob Holmes

There are likely few people still around who knew Marguerite McQuilkin, the wife of Columbia International University’s first president Robert C. McQuilkin.

But 93-year-old Ruth Butler Sims of Columbia is one of them. And she knew her for something very special — Bethel Bible Camp — founded by Mrs. McQuilkin in 1941 for African-American children, during an era when there were no summer camps for Black children. Sims was among the 39 children at the first camp, which is still going strong today under the name Bethel Christian Camp, with a focus on all underserved youth.

“She was just beautiful,” Sims said of McQuilkin at a fundraiser for the camp. “She was so sincere. She was interested in Blacks as well as Whites. And she was determined that this camp would be for the underprivileged.”

It was through the camp that Sims was led to Christ.    

“We would have these cabin meetings at night,” Sims recalled. “It was a concentrated time … the counselors would come and talk to us and that was when I was saved.”   

Those camp counselors were often students from Columbia Bible College, now Columbia International University.

Marguerite McQuilkin had no experience in setting up such an endeavor, but at that time she told The Columbia Record newspaper that she wanted Bethel to be a place where kids could sing camp songs and play games, where they could hear and learn the gospel and where at least for a moment, skin color didn’t matter.

“We hope to build Christian character and develop an interest in missions in the young people who come and to teach them to understand the Christian message,” McQuilkin told the newspaper.

The vice chair of today’s Bethel Christian Camp Board of Directors is Dr. Karen Grant, who is also a CIU Youth Ministry professor. As CIU celebrates its 100^th anniversary, Grant sees God’s faithfulness to CIU and Bethel, describing Bethel as “birthed out of the history of CIU.”  

“If we were to look at the impact CIU has had over 100 years, whether that’s Bethel Christian Camp or individuals on the mission field, I don’t think this side of heaven we’ll get to see the true impact CIU has had over many, many years,” Grant said.

Over eight decades later, many of the Bethel Christian Camp counselors are still CIU students, and one CIU alumna has been on staff since graduating in 2003.  

“I wanted to take the values I learned from my professors at CIU — investing in, discipling and reaching the next generation for Christ,” Elise “Skippy” Anderson told those gathered at the Bethel fundraiser. “Bethel offers many opportunities for our campers and staff to hear the gospel … our campers hear about the love of Christ and the difference He can make in our daily lives.”

Bethel Executive Director Jarl Hill marvels at the CIU connection and says Marguerite McQuilkin’s work put her and CIU ahead of the culture in 1941.

“(CIU) was a part of the Civil Rights Movement without even knowing that’s what they were doing … How cool is that?” said Hill.  

There was one criterion that Marguerite McQuilkin had for the children to attend Bethel in 1941. They had to memorize and recite Bible verses. Ruth Butler Sims remembers them 82 years later.

“Though I speak with the tongue of men and angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass,” Sims recited from 1 Corinthians 13, and in the same breath, launched into Psalm 34. “O magnify the LORD with me, let us exalt his name together.”

CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.