Wrong Number

I have been forever changed and it all started in April of 1997 with a phone call to the wrong number.

(Jenny Behel) “Hello, may I please speak with Summer?” (Me) “Umm, I think you have the wrong number.” (Jenny) “Well who is this?” (Me) “This is Sallie Chase.” (Jenny) “Hi, Sallie! I might as well ask you, do you have any plans this summer? We are looking for counselors to come work at this camp called, Shiloh.” (Me) “I don’t have any plans. In fact, I was just praying about my summer plans right before you called!”

I met with Jason Isbell and Chris Bedard to interview for Camp Shiloh the very next day, and actually spent the first few minutes of the conversation sobbing about how God literally used the telephone to get my attention. And the rest is history! From the moment I first heard the name, Shiloh, until this very day just 14 short years later I have been forever changed. Shiloh seeks to change the lives of children and I was ecstatic to be a part of that mission. What I didn’t realize until the end of my very first summer in 1997 is that Shiloh would change my life.

I can not even begin to choose a favorite story to share with you, like it is mentioned in the bible, they are as countless as the sands on the seas. However, I will try to explain what the campers of Shiloh taught me. Sam taught me how to have self-control. Sharron taught me the importance of speaking your mind. Gabriella taught me that the heartache is inevitable. Raven and Ashley taught me how to be silly. Alfredo taught me how to trust. Perry taught me how to laugh. Jason taught me how to love God’s word. Luis taught me patience. Jennifer taught me how to dance. Jasmine taught me creativity. Raquel taught me to be persistent. Lisa taught me how to sing. Ajoke taught me to be disciplined. Tina taught me the importance of being myself. Shayna taught me how to persevere. Cynthia taught me how to overcome. These and the countless others, showed me a side of God I had never seen and in turn, taught me how to truly love.

Shiloh captured my heart and has sent it on a roller coaster of emotions, experiencing everything from heart ache to utter and complete joy. Upon graduating from Harding, there was only one option, to move to NYC where I could continue building the relationships I fostered during the summers. I moved from a small, rural town of 4,000 to a large, urban city of 8 million. There hasn’t been another experience in my life that has impacted my life the way Shiloh has. The seed was planted in my heart 14 years ago and it continues to grow. I have been forever changed!


Sallie Chase was a Counselor (1997-2001), the Assistant Camp Director (2003-2004), and the Camp Director (2005) at Camp Shiloh. After graduating with her Bachelor’s from Harding University, Sallie moved to New York City in the fall of 2000. While living in New York City Sallie worked as a nanny, began her teaching career at Buckley, and was active in Shiloh’s Wednesday night teen mentoring group. During this time Sallie moved to Stamford, CT and graduated with her Masters from Teachers College at Columbia. She is currently teaching children who are blind in the Bronx.