Little George Havens’ Cowboy Camp Meeting – Schedule
Somewhat reluctantly, I was out of bed, “bathed,” dressed and ready for breakfast when the bell rang. I took a picture of the sausage and egg burrito, ate one bite and threw the rest away. Not my kind of food. (I’m not critical; just “not my kind of food.”)
“Miss Lucy” is the star attraction at Camp Meeting and she quickly made me the prime focus in every meeting, every event. She is just thrilled that someone is in attendance saved under the ministry of evangelist Little George Havens. I’m “the lady from ‘Ore-ee-gone’ who knew George.” I tell the audience that I am now a Texas resident but saved sixty-four years ago in a meeting in Crescent, Oregon. I didn’t “know” the man, just influenced by his ministry. I’ve learned (listening to Miss Lucy) that George was saved during the 1950 Crusade with Billy Graham, in Los Angeles. So the former movie actor and stunt man must have quickly started his own preaching ministry?!
“Miss Lucy” and I have another bond (besides our advancing age, she is 90, I’m almost 80): Wycliffe Bible Translators. Miss Lucy was a missionary in Mexico. So I said: “You probably know the name Cameron Townsend.” Of course!! She was trained in one of his Summer Institute of Linguistics and is still a member of Wycliffe. I shared that I volunteered for almost three years (in Orlando, and Waxhaw).
After breakfast, I walked around the campgrounds taking pictures.
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My pictures tell the story, I followed Miss Lucy as she gave a tour of the grounds, and the Pioneer Preachers Museum. She and George started the Camp in 1966, and operated it “by faith.” They have never charged for RV parking and meals. A hat is passed at the evening meeting—for donations. Miraculously, the expenses have always been met.
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There was a time for stories at the re-dedication of the Little George Havens statue.
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The campground is very primitive; the facilities are “make do.” There are stoves in the screened dining area but—in the spirit of an old-fashioned camp meeting—food is prepared over an open fire near an old-fashioned chuck wagon.
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The music is good; the preaching is excellent!!
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I’m quick to tell the other guests “I’m not a cowgirl, I’m not a cowboy, I don’t ride horses, I’ve never attended a Cowboy Church.” ~~ Dear reader: This is a unique, new experience for me. Oh, camping comes natural but the people (my brothers and sisters in-Christ) are different (a new experience for me). The preachers are ranchers who have everyday responsibilities. Their pattern of speech makes me smile, good old country boys!!
In bed before nine. This is only “day one” for me and I’ve already received such a blessing!!
Three Quarters & Counting 
I love the picture of Miss Lucy standing by the chuck wagon. Found this old article. Looks like she was ready for more than “one more!” http://web.reporternews.com/1998/religion/havens0620.html
I Met Little George in 1955 while I was in the army at Ft Hood TX. My first cousins husband was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville TX. They had a roundup program and Little George was the guest. He played his Martin Guitar and sang. He told of working with Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys. He did a little skit of singing a song (Something about blue eyes crying in the rain) and the sadder it got the loughter he cried. All of a sudden he stopped and said, “Now isn’t that silly. I believe it was something he had done on the Grand Ole Opry with the Pee Wee King Band. He also talked about being throwed off a steer, and Gabby Hayes said,
“Hey George if you light on your head you won’t hurt your leg.
I enjoyed talking with George and he gave a good program and message
I have been singing Gospel Music on Radio for 56 years and the last few years on the internet.
Check out my podcast at potomatic.com
I visited with George and his wife when they lived on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas, Texas. I think the year was 1974. George was very small and I am on the other end of the scale. Nothing would do him but that his foot an mine be photographed side by side. I wear I size 14 and his was less than half that. We went to a radio station and watched as he played his guitar and sang my favorite songs. We then spent the night in his home and Cowboy Camp; we had a great time together.
My boyfriend, who later became my husband, played church concerts, with George. This was back in the early 1950’s, in Denton, TX. My husband passed away in 2002. I would like to know if you have any of the music they taped. And if I could get a copy. My husband was Kenneth Swanson. Thank you, Blessings, Colleen Swanson.