1979-2022
Judson Baptist Retreat Center
St. Francisville, Louisiana LA
Judson Retreat Center was a Christian retreat center and summer camp, located in the rolling hills of the Felicianas near Jackson, Louisiana, just a short drive from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and Southwest Mississippi. Their mission was to raise up generations passionate for Jesus Christ by providing opportunities for life-changing experiences.[1]
The Retreat Center was a ministry of the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge (formerly Judson Baptist Association) and was dedicated on October 20, 1979. The name for the Judson Retreat Center came from the previous name of the association, Judson Baptist Association (see entry 1890-Present). The 25th year report provides a chronology of ministry through the last portion of the twentieth century.[2]
+February 14, 1979, First Baptist Church, Zachary, was our first retreat!
+The facilities at this time consisted of the Camp Director’s residence…. The kitchen and dining hall served as a chapel, indoor recreation room, as well as for dining facilities. The two buildings, which would accommodate 40 persons each, served as dormitory and conference facilities. The 24×56’ swimming pool added the finishing touches to a lovely retreat center.
+In 1994, we had 4892 camperdays, while in 1995 we had 5,569 camperdays.
+The dedication of the chapel in 1997 was an awesome experience of celebration and praise for what God had done and was going to do at the Retreat Center.
+One of the most exciting miracles at JBRC in 1998 was the construction of a 12,000 square foot adult conference building and motel units.
+This year [2005] we have seen a 27% increase in number of groups using JBRC. Last year, which was a record-breaking year there were 6540 camper days, while this year we had 8666 camperdays! There were 123 recorded decisions this summer, which reflect lives changed for Jesus.
+After 36 years of ministry, in October 2022, the Baptist Association voted to cease operations and sell the property. Judson Retreat Center had suspended operations earlier in the year due to covid-19 related financial challenges. Camp director Justin Busby expressed these words upon the decision to close the camp.
+“…I want you to know that even with the Judson Retreat Center facility closing for good, the ministry of Judson Retreat will continue. It will continue because that ministry doesn’t belong to Judson, it belongs to the Lord. And those lives that were changed and those who were called, they carry that ministry with them. They carry it into their homes, into their churches, into their communities and around the world. Truly we can say, the sun will never set on the multi-generational impact that the Lord has made in the lives of people here at Judson. It is finished, yet it continues, may the Lord be glorified in His faithful work here through the years.”[3]
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[1] https://www.judsonretreat.org/
[2] Debi Morris, Where We’ve Been…Where We’re Going…Judson Baptist Retreat Center 1979-2005, Judson Baptist Association (now Baptist Association of Great Baton Rouge), Baton Rouge, LA, 2005.
[3] https://www.baptistmessage.com/judson-retreat-center-to-close/