An Update Long Overdue

As we finish up a busy spring and summer season (and jump right into a jam-packed fall), we just want to say a huge thank you. Thank you for what you have done for the Lord in being willing to partner with us.

As I have been working through Philippians.  I think of Paul’s thankfulness to those who have cared for him through His ministry. You all have definitely cared for us. We are thankful for all of your prayers, support, and partnership in our ministry together. I truly believe God is “multiplying your talents.” What do I mean? Let me share just a few examples:

  • A church shared with us that a young lady accepted the Lord as her Savior at camp and that she is now boldly sharing the gospel with her family.
  • The Hacienda, which is our specialized retreat just for pastors and their families to be refreshed and focus on the future vision of the church, now has over 60 churches being represented & being served through that facility alone. Your “talents” have served, strengthened, built up, refreshed, and helped long-term pastors, new pastors, church plants, families, church bodies, and co-church relationships. It has been a place of decision for pastors and their families.
  • The Path-to-the-Pastorate program we have has helped 4 families go into ministry and is working with one as we speak.
  • We recently served a group of missionaries to Canada, India, and Mexico.
  • We just finished our summer serving churches with many young people coming to know the Lord as their Savior, growing in their walk with God, and taking the next steps of faith.
  • This summer, we also served churches across the country as we served our summer staff. It was fun to see some of them even make decisions to go into full-time ministry.

The list goes on and on, but it is amazing to me that God takes our “small abilities” and reaches the world. What we put back into the hands of God can do and reach much further than any of us can imagine.  Thank you again for partnering with us in this ministry.

Who Knew Meetings Could Be Fun?

Every November (the week of Thanksgiving) our entire staff gets together for two days packed full of meetings. When you say it like that, I’m sure many are thinking ‘what a miserable two days!’ In reality, it’s two days that Stephen and I look forward to every year.

These meetings are one of the few times that our entire resident staff is in the same room. It’s a time of brainstorming, looking at the future of the ministry, praising God for what He’s doing in the ministry, being challenged from the Word, and just having fun together.

I am so thankful that God has called us to this ministry. Our leadership has a burden for what God is doing not just in the ministry, but in each of us as individuals. As we look at how God has worked, it just reminds us to be excited for how He will continue to work!

I’m also thankful that we are a team that knows how to have fun together. You should see the snack table – this year’s included everything from chocolate to pomegranates, seaweed to pop tarts. Every year we also have a friendly competition of some type. This year that includes “ping pong connect 4” and “not pool” – aka games from Mr. Sam’s very creative brain.

Another one of our favorite times of these meetings is the staff picture. Have you ever tried to get 50 people – with multiple children under two – looking at the camera at the same time? It’s always an adventure. But the best pictures come from our “Pygmy” pictures (these are all the staff kids). We count it a good year if only a couple of the littles are crying. The Lord has really blessed us with the next generation!

As we look ahead to 2025, we are waiting expectantly to see what God has in store for our ministry, for our family, and for each of you! Our founder, Mr. Walt, shared a challenge this morning that reminded us who “wins” when we trust God – not just ourselves, but everyone we come in contact with. We’re so thankful for many of you who make it possible for us to minister at Camp and to be able to share God with so many!