Paisano Baptist Encampment brings families, new and old friends, and churches together each July for a traditional week of worship and fellowship. The beautifully rustic setting provides a peaceful break from the world’s hectic activity as it has for a century.

God placed Paisano Baptist Encampment in the heart of Leander Randon Millican (1853-1938). Texas Baptists appointed him one of their first missionaries in 1879. The circuit-riding minister traveled on broncos, forded rising rivers, faced armed bandits, preached the gospel, and started churches from San Saba to El Paso. While riding those horseback miles, L. R. Millican dreamed of a Baptist camp meeting to bring ranchers, cowboys and churches together each summer for preaching, Bible study and instruction.

In 1911, El Paso Baptist Association appointed Millican, Texas Ranger turned cattleman J.C. Bird and First Baptist Church Alpine pastor S.C. Holmes “to look into the establishment of a Baptist encampment in the region of Alpine.” In 1913, area ranch families met for prayer with Millican who was joined by George W. Truett, pastor of First Baptist Dallas and S.J. Porter, former missionary and pastor of First Baptist San Antonio. The group determined to realize the circuit-riding preacher’s dream. Later, these Paisano Baptist Encampment founders officially established the assembly on July 28, 1915.

In August 1916, Truett preached the first Paisano sermon standing on the bed of a wagon with a wooden barrel as the pulpit. Porter and Millican also preached at the 2-3 day meeting. Families camped in tents or slept under the stars. Those early services occurred under the trees near the present dining shed. Sporadic encampments transpired the next few years with preaching, campfire food, family fellowship and mountain-climbing.

Then on September 3-4, 1921, the gatherings grew from a few families to over 500. On Sunday, September 4, more than 1,000 assembled to hear Dr. Truett preach. Area ranchers, including the Kokernots, McCutcheons and Mitchells, brought their chuck wagons while others cooked over campfires or ate picnic-style. That Labor Day weekend, Paisano Baptist Encampment formally organized with a Board of Directors and committees on both grounds and programs. Millican became president, a position he held until his death. The Encampment secured approximately 1,400 acres and began planning the 1922 program.

By 1922, Paisano had erected a tin-roof-dirt-floor tabernacle, office, and dining shed; installed a light plant; and dug a well. Study course training, Bible exposition, mission testimonies, recreation, and morning and evening worship formed the program. At Crawford Mitchell’s suggestion, the chuck wagons combined, and the ranchers invited everyone to “come and get it down the chute” with the Kokernot family in the lead. Thus began the unique food service with a no-fee, common kitchen. Nearly a century later, Kokernot descendants continue to run the cook shed.

After that 1922 meeting, ranch families gathered around a campfire to discuss expenses. Everyone gave what they could to ensure Paisano’s future, and the Encampment remains supported by love offerings as well as donations to a foundation that was begun in 1974.

Since its beginning and continuing to the present, Paisano has attracted a literal Who’s Who of Baptist preaching, teaching and conference leading, including Truett who preached until the year before he died. B.B. McKinney directed music and composed several works on the Paisano grounds. Troy Campbell and Euell Porter followed in his footsteps. J.B. Tidwell, Kyle Yates, W.R. White, Virtus Gideon, and Jack MacGorman, among others, taught Bible. R.G. Lee, F.B. Thorn, Perry Webb, I.E. Gates, Roy Angell, James Landes, and many more preached.

Today, camping in tents and sleeping under the stars have been exchanged for country cabins, RVs and church dorms. Worshippers gather under the breath-taking curved vaulted ceiling of the tabernacle while preschoolers enjoy modern nursery facilities. Mornings find children involved in day camp with youth housed in an activities building, complete with gym. Afternoons are free for relaxation, recreation, browsing the gift shop and Paisano museum, or exploring the area. Men and boys assemble to pray before supper.

Paisano Baptist Encampment continues to unite families and friends from across Texas and beyond for a refreshing week of Bible study, worship and fellowship in ways largely unchanged for 100 years. Cell phones disconnect, and laptops and iPads disappear as folks connect with the Heavenly Father under the glowing sun and bright stars of the West Texas sky. Paisano friendships are life-long and spiritual decisions life-changing.

A century later, George W. Truett’s closing benediction echoes across the Paisano grounds:

Now as the people go their many scattered ways,
May the blessings of God,
Bright like the light when the morning dawneth,
And soft as the dew when the evening falleth,
Rest and abide with them now and forevermore.
Amen.