Jerry & Cheryl Lawlis at the Red River Family Encampment, New Mexico

For many years, Prestoncrest members have been involved in the Red River Family Encampment retreat. It is one of the largest Church of Christ gatherings and is a great week filled with wonderful speakers, fun fellowship, and a great chance to get away from a busy life to the beautiful scenery of Red River, New Mexico. It is officially held the 4th Sunday of June every year, but actually has events that run Saturday through Wednesday. RRFE’s first meeting was in June of 1987, with attendance over 400. Today, attendance averages 1,500 each year.

Jerry Lawlis is the Executive Director of RRFE and is the coordinator for this weekend. He does a wonderful job coordinating speakers and events. Many families look forward to it every year.

The mission of RRFE is to provide Gospel preaching, stimulating Bible study, marvelous singing, warm fellowship in the breath-taking Sangre de Cristo Mountains with a goal to strengthen families and churches. They offer classes for all ages, teens, college, plus special women’s classes and more. Many of Prestoncrest’s ministers and staff have been featured at the event.

In addition to the Red River Family Encampment, Jerry is involved in ministering to small congregations of Northern New Mexico to encourage them and support their growth. These congregations are in Las Vegas, Chama, Recos, Penasco Valley, Moreno Valley, Raton, Santa Rosa, StikeValley, Taos, Anon, Blanchard, Ciarron, Cleveland, Espanola, Ojo Feliz, Questa and Santa Fe.

Jerry and his wife, Cheryl, live in Amarillo. Jerry holds a B.A. from ACU and M.A. from Harding.