Anywhere Can Become ‘Heaven on Earth’ When You’re Pursuing Jesus
Chelsea Kinsler has found countless ways to live out her faith at Morrison Campground in Rome, Georgia—first as a child learning, and now as a mom leading others to follow Christ.
“I’ve gone there every year of my life,” she said. “My great-grandmother did, my grandmother did, my mom, me, and now my kids do.”
Chelsea’s family is part of Morrison Campground’s 155+ year legacy of family revival, a tradition that continues to shape generations. Other than Mt. Bethel Church—where she has worshiped since third grade—no place has had a more significant or consistent impact on her faith journey.
“I accepted Christ there, and so did several of my closest friends,” Chelsea noted.
It’s where she learned—both through being discipled and by watching family and friends lead spiritually—how to align her life with God’s purpose. Now, as an adult and mom with two kids of her own, she uses her family’s yearly trip to the campground to lead her children and others closer to Jesus.
Stepping Into Her Calling
“Morrison Campground is like a family retreat,” she explained. For ten days each summer, the families who own cabins there gather for revival, complete with church services every morning and night. She added that while a board of trustees hires the ministers for the week, most of the other roles—like song leaders, ushers, and Vacation Bible School (VBS) workers—are filled by volunteers from the families attending.
Meeting Space at Morrison Campground, Rome, Georgia.
Chelsea, an active member of Mt. Bethel’s Adult Worship Choir and leader of Mt. Bethel’s iPraise Children’s Choirs during the school year, first volunteered at the revival as a song leader. For the past three years, however, she has served by helping with children’s VBS.
This summer, she was asked to lead VBS.
“It was a full-circle moment for me,” she said. “Having grown up going to VBS and watching other people lead in that way, it really did feel like a calling.”
Chelsea Kinsler (left) with other leaders of VBS at Morrison Campground standing in front of decorations recycled from Mt. Bethel Church’s True North VBS.
With the help of friends who also grew up attending the revival, as well as some recycled decorations and borrowed curriculum from Mt. Bethel’s True North VBS in early June, she helped about 30 kids each night learn they can trust Jesus when they wonder, feel powerless, need hope, or need help.
“This was something that we could give back since we were fed into for all those years by those who came ahead of us.”
Faith That Sticks
Rhett Kinsler, Chelsea’s son, at Morrison Campground, Summer 2025.
The week was made extra special because she was able to watch the impact it had on her own kids as they participated, especially her seven-year-old son.
“He doesn’t always engage in activities at church because he’s always here because I’m here, you know? But [during VBS at Morrison Campground], he did all the songs. He participated in everything,” Chelsea said, recalling the Friday night performance the kids from VBS did for their parents.
She credits the community at the campground for his change in attitude, noting that he was drawn in by the excitement and passion for Jesus he witnessed from everyone around him.
“I don’t know that he would’ve done that in any other setting,” she added, describing how his friends at the campground encouraged his participation. “He and the other kids really bonded over worshiping Jesus.”
But perhaps the biggest impact Chelsea sees this yearly revival making on her son is that it shows him faith in Jesus is important: “It’s a lot to pack up and clean the cabin only to go there once a year. He sees all the work we do, and I think he knows it is important to us and we make it a priority.”
Making Every Moment Count
Chelsea recognizes that this revival camp meeting is a blessing God has given specifically to her family, but she also knows the Holy Spirit presents every believer with unique opportunities to join Him in His work. She encourages others, especially Christian parents, to embrace these moments.
“Make [faith for your family] a priority,” she emphasized, using examples like bringing kids to church or encouraging them to participate in Mt. Bethel’s iPraise choir or VBS.
“When kids see other kids worshiping Jesus, it’s really impactful. The songs [and lessons] they learn stick with them forever. And it’s a cool thing they can share with their friends.”
In a Facebook post, Chelsea called Morrison Campground “heaven on earth,” but she’ll be the first to tell you it’s not the physical land that makes her “feel closer to God.” It’s the Christ-centered community and the opportunity it presents to live on purpose for the Kingdom.
As you pursue Jesus, He’ll lead you—like He’s led Chelsea—to share that pursuit with others. Step out in faith and use the blessings He’s given you to show others they can pursue Him too.
Want to read more stories like Chelsea’s highlighting what it looks like to trade the pursuit of more for a life worth pursuing in Christ? Check out our other blogs!