Good Luck: I will pray for you!

The two phrases don't fit together: Good Luck and I will Pray for you! It is one or the other, but it can't be both.

To the Christian... who prays and seeks the direction of the Lord, there is no such thing as good luck. There are answered prayers, there is the hand of the Lord on them, but luck has nothing to do with good things happening to a person or a family.

Case in point: I saw it happen yesterday. Let me share Tracy's story. Tracy Waltz is our youth pastor's wife. 10 days ago, we had a wedding at the camp chapel, with the reception at the main lodge. Tracy and Joel were there helping and participating in the fun evening. On the drive to the camp, Tracy took off her wedding ring in order to put on some hand cream. As she left the car to walk into the lodge, she forgot that her ring was in her lap. It wasn't until later that she realized that she didn't make it home with her ring.

This was not just a off-the-shelf ring; the diamond was Joel's grandmother's set into a new ring. Not only was it valuable, there was alot of sentimental value to the diamond itself. Tracy was crushed; Joel was doubtful that it would ever be found.

Tracy returned to the camp yesterday with a metal detector. Since the wedding, we have received over 10 inches of snow, and plenty of ice. The circle drive in front of the main lodge had been walked over, driven over and the snow and ice pack was at least an inch thick; and their were fresh bobcat tracks where the maintenance man had just scraped off what snow and ice that he could. Tracy used the metal detector and heard a beep under the snow. Tracy tells her story, "I figured the camp picked up bottle caps and litter, so I was hopeful. I went into the lodge, got a bucket of hot water and began to pour it over the spot. Right before my eyes, a circle began to melt around my ring. I stood there and cried... knowing it was truly a miracle. My husband had wished me good luck before I left home, and I told him he should pray that I would find it. He did, I did, and so did others"




What a great reminder to me... expect God to intervene when we pray. We worry, we fret, we stew before we pray. Buried under the snow packed situations of our struggle on earth, He has already has the perfect answer ready for us when we pray.

Written by:
Earl Taylor, Director of Vision and Design
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
... Hidden Acres is a youth camp and retreat center and is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

Leaving Margins in Your Field

Boaz told his foremen, ”Leave some stalks of grain behind so that Ruth may come behind and glean in our fields. And don’t embarrass her in any way!” (from Ruth 2:15-16) Our staff recently returned from a national Christian camping conference where the speaker, Pastor Bryan Loritts from Memphis, Tennessee spoke from this passage; the hearts of the entire staff were stirred as he shared this principle: The principle of allowing margins in our lives: Boaz provided margins in his fields by telling his workers to leave some behind; “don’t pick up every sheaf… leave some for the needy… leave something for those who are willing to work for their bread… we have enough, we don’t need it all.”

This is a wonderful picture; I see it often from the farmer who wants to make sure the pheasants and deer have enough food to make it through an Iowa winter by leaving the last 4 rows of corn. I see it in some homes where boxes and boxes of food are packaged up and given to the hungry. I see it here at camp when families are struggling along, living pay check to paycheck, and we are able to say, “ No problem, Come on and come to camp. We have room and let’s not worry about the fees.”

We purposely have built in margins into Hidden Acres' finances. Even in the early years when we found ourselves short, we always attempted to show mercy and margins with our summer campers. Why? It is very simple, “The gospel can’t penetrate a heart of the young person if he isn’t at camp, but stays home loafing around the house!” Empty beds cannot be ministered to. I want kids to come to know Christ!”

I love that theme of building margins in our lives. I was young and stupid once; and went into debt for stuff and house. When I freed myself of debt, I felt a big burden slide off my back; I began to build in financial margins into my life; not building wealth, but opening up more opportunities to give.

Charles Wesley built in margins into his life: He determined that 29 pounds was an adequate sum to live on each year. When the royalty checks began to arrive, he still determined that 29 pounds was adequate to live on, and gave the rest away.

I do have to admit, I don’t build any margins in my life when it come to mercy, or gentleness, or kindness. My driver personality gets in my way at times and blocks out seasons of mercy and gentleness. “ Lord help me to let my margins along my fields to grow wider and heavier for the Lost!”

For us this Christmas time, we have built into our calendar a month of margins; it is our slowest month of the year and we use this time to reconnect with family, to plan for the upcoming year, and to renew our spiritual lives. Workers without margins in their life burn out and leave.

I won’t say it too loudly but I pray you have created some margins with your gift giving. I have been around for 54 Christmas’ and I honestly don’t remember a gift that was memorable; the gifts was nice stuff to have, but there has been nothing that I received that I still cherish and keep. Enuf said!

I trust we understand and know what our 29 pounds looks like, and have the self control to live on our 29 pounds each year and give back to those in need.

Wishing you and your family the very best!

....Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth; Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.....and Jacob the father of Joseph of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:1-16

Written by:
Earl Taylor, Director of Vision and Design
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
....Hidden Acres is the youth camp and retreat center owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

Joy to the World...THE LORD IS COME!!

Talk about getting me out of the mood for Christmas!! I turned on a local TV station this morning to catch an update on the upcoming storm, only to be greeted by a lively New York City choir singing a rendition of Joy to the World. Nice choir: energetic and engaged. But they got the song all wrong: they couldn't sing the song as written: Joy to the World, the Lord has come... that would be offensive to someone... instead they replaced the Lord has come with "let everyone sing". As if singing was going to bring lasting JOY to the world.

For those who know me, you know that I don't go for all the hype and glitter of Christmas. I was told when I had children I would change.... I didn't: I have four. I was told when I had grandchildren I would change... I didn't: I have six!

I do love the spirit of Christmas: the extra time with family, extra time to read and relax, extra time to reflect on the past year and anticipate the next year, and I even like a few football games. I don't need presents and decorations and parties to accomplish that. What I like best is the platform of the Christmas season to share my faith: it is a no brainer. When others complain about their busyness of the week, I can talk about the Christ child... born to be the Savior. Born into a world full of sin and strife, knowing that this "lamb of a child" would 33 years later be the final and perfect sacrifice.

Today is the 23rd, and I have yet to visit a store in town to purchase the "Joy giving gift" that many have labored over for weeks. My prayer over these next few days is that I would be sent a stranger with an empty spot in his heart, and that I might be the messenger of the Good News to all people and share about this Christ child born so many years ago... "Lord give me the courage and discernment when you send a joyless person into my life!"

Written by:
Earl Taylor, Design and Vision Director
Hidden Acres Christian Center Dayton,Iowa
...Hidden Acres is a Christian youth and summer camp along with an adult and family retreat center located in central Iowa. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

Apples don't fall far from the Tree

My 4th grade friend Norman

My daughter arrived home from college a few Christmas's ago; she had called earlier in the day and said she was bringing a friend.

I was a little taken back when I stepped outside to greet my daughter; I could see her friend was struggling with her baggage. She walked with a limp, her knees were turned in and she wore thick glasses, with limited eye sight.

As we sat in the living room, tears came to my eyes because I was seeing the exact image in myself 37 years later.

We had moved to Coon Rapids, Iowa when I was going into the fourth grade. I was ready for the move. My dad had recently remarried after a 1961 divorce. We settled into the community, and I started school in Miss Sorenson’s class.

In 1964, there were not special education classes, only three levels of students: the smart, the average, and the slow. We had 3 slow students in my 4th grade class. Dave, Patty, and Norman. I was average to smart.

No one wore tennis shoes to school in 1964, but dress shoes. Norman didn’t wear either; he wore a heavy type above-the-ankle work boot that was sturdy, bulky, and enduring.

From his feet to his head, Norman dressed differently than the other kids. His coat and jeans were not stylish, but straight cut denims that a 30 year old farm hand would wear. He wouldn’t eat the 35 cent school lunches, instead he would carry his lunch of heavy dark bread sandwiches full of last night’s meat. I ate the Friday fish stick lunches and drank the 2 cent milk.

I wasn’t the biggest kid on the play ground, but I remember watching after Norman. I always made sure he was included in kick ball games at recess and would not allow the other boys to poke fun or mimic Norman. He was not overly gifted in running and throwing, but he was extra strong in arms and chest.

When Christmas came around in 1964, my dad was making around $3000 per year. I didn’t know we were the poor ones. I remember having our Sunday school Christmas program prior to Christmas school vacation. I remember the good hard candy and chocolates that were passed out to each child in the brown paper sack. I saved mine.

I took it to school on Monday morning, gift wrapped in a box and slipped it to Norman over lunch. He never said much. I never received a thank you, but I knew I had done the right thing that Christmas. I haven’t seen Norman since grade school. I moved away when we finished 8th grade.

I doubt my daughter’s friend got asked to visit somebody’s home often during her 4 years at Moody Bible. I am glad that apple’s don’t fall very far from the tree. I am glad that some things can be taught and others things are pure instinct.

And to you my old friend Norman, Merry Christmas to you again, 44 years later.

Written by
Earl Taylor, Director of Vision and Design
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
...a children's and youth camp, a retreat center, and a family camp located in Central Iowa. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

A True Turkey Story

I had one tag turkey tag left in my pocket, so I felt it my duty to hunt just a few more times for turkey on my property north of my house. I was able to get two tags this year, and had filled one in October.

On Sunday evening I sat in my shooting house; it is a little 6 sided shooting shack on stilts, with 6 windows to see and shoot from. I love it because it was my dads, and I love it because I can sit in it with a heater, coffee, radio and earphones, and enjoy an evening of hunting. From my high perch, I can see all corners of my property and some of the neighbors too.

Right on cue, a group of 5 young gobblers entered my bean field. I got my gun stuck out the window and waited until they came into range. At 50 yards, I could tell they were not going to get any closer, so I shot, dropping one. He flopped around, but I knew that was normal. But, he stood back up and walked into some weeds. I jumped out of the house, and chased him down, shooting him again with my last bullet.

I carried him back the 100 yards to the shooting shack, and laid him at the bottom of my stairs. I had a bow tag, so I returned to the shack to wait out the last hour of the day. While in the shack, I received a phone call from my son in law. While on the phone I said, "There goes another turkey across my bean field." Then it dawned on me to look out the door. I did. And the dead turkey was gone.

I had been pondering how I was going to cook this turkey for Thanksgiving today, and all the time this Lazarus turkey was thinking otherwise. I was out of bullets, so I tried to chase him down with my bow, but the turkey slipped into the timber, never to be seen again.


....and that is a true story!! Motto: Always have a ham in the freezer!

written by:
Earl Taylor
Director of Design and Vision
Hidden Acres Christian Center
... a Christian youth and children summer camp, a retreat center for adults and families, owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota, and located in central Iowa

A Few Good Friends

My good friend Herb hunting with me


We all want them; we all need them; few of us have what we would call a Good Friend. I have just a few of them; I know lots and lots of people; I consider many people friends of mine; there is only a handful of folks that I call Good Friends.

I had a visit with one of my Good Friends this week; Herb and his wife and daughter drove over to see us and we spent some time hunting together, and a little time visiting and laughing. Much of our time is not spent, visiting about general newsy stuff; if we talk we talk directly to each other and discuss what is going on in each others lives.

I lost a childhood Good friend this week; Randy Schultz died from smoke inhalation caused by a house fire. Randy and I were nearly inseparable when I moved to the Coon Rapids area in 1964. For 5 years, we bummed around together; I would go to his house on Saturday morning, help him scoop hog manure from the barn and lay down fresh straw for the pigs, in order to play and be together in the afternoon. Randy was twice the size of me. My dad referred lovingly to Randy as "Hoss", after the Bonanza character. Some people saw us together and said, "Mutt and Jeff!"

We moved away from Coon Rapids in 1969, and Randy and I saw each other occasionally. 20 years ago, I attended the funeral of Randy's 3 year old son who was accidentally run over by a semi truck in their front yard. Years later I attended Randy's parents funeral. We didn't write, we didn't call over the years, only seeing each other occasionally. Next week I will attend my last Schultz funeral.

Proverbs says it right... iron sharpens iron... honor the friends of your father... a friend stick closer than a brother. True friends admonish, encourage, exhort, and trust each other. True friendship endures time and space; friends come and go.

I will miss knowing Randy is no longer here; my prayer is that we will meet once again in heaven and renew our friendship again, after another 40 years of near silence.

Written by
Earl Taylor, Director of Design and Vision
Hidden Acres Christian Center
...a Christian youth and children's summer camp and a retreat center for adults, families, churches, and schools. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota and is located near Dayton along the Des Moines River.

The 2 dollar Bill

...as told to me by Dave Martin

“When I was in high school a best buddy and I exchanged $2 bills. We told each other that even when we were broke and down on our luck, we still had $2. I took it seriously,” remembers Dave.

“Several years had passed. I was out of college, married and in Thief River Falls Minnesota. I wasn’t a pastor yet, but Carol and I were very active in the local Evangelical Free Church. I was keen on seeing Pete, Dee and their family to come to church. I kept asking them.”

“Would you let your three kids come to Sunday school?” I asked. Dee was for it, Pete had reservations. The children eventually came.

The boys came to Sunday school, but after awhile they were hesitant to come. “Everyone was wearing suits, and we boys have these old sweaters.” Dave heard of their embarrassment. The next Sunday, Dave the Sunday school superintendent, stood up in front of the church, wearing his sweater. “The boys beamed at me.”

Sometime later, we were at the Wednesday evening prayer meeting, when one of the dear saints who worked for the public works department shared, “Pete and Dee are going to get their utilities turned off. We should pray about it.”

Pastor Joe Swan said, “Pray about it! We are going to take up an offering.” And so he did. He pulled out a paper bag, passed it around, with families putting a dollar bill in as it passed their chair.

“I was dead broke,” remembers Dave. “Except for the $2 bill tucked away in my billfold. I didn’t want to give it up, but I felt the Spirit of the Lord prompt me. I dropped it in as the bag passed by.” Their lights stayed on and Pete got back on his feet.
Pete and De started attending church.

One year later we were ready to take our 1st church in Hector, Minnesota. The church was having a little going-a-way party for us, and Pastor Joe found a paper bag and passed it around again so that church members could give us a gift to send us off to Hector.

When we arrived home, and began to sort through the bag, there was the exact $2 bill I had given to Pete and Dee in a sealed envelope.

I went to see Pete the next day, “How did you know I had given you the $2 bill?” I asked. Pete said, “I know of no one else dumb enough to give me their last cent!”

“I still have the $2 bill in my billfold as a constant reminder of being faithful when being faithful hurts. I photocopied the bill, framed it, and gave it to Pete for their 50th anniversary, only I changed the picture on it… instead of the president, we put a picture of Pete.”

Pete and De grew in the Lord, raised their family, and was successful as a business man. His children to this day are walking with the Lord.

“Isn’t GOD GOOD!”

Written by:
Earl Taylor Director of Design and Vision
Hidden Acres Christian Center
... a Christian youth and children's summer camp and a retreat center for adults, families, churches and schools. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota and is located near Dayton in Central Iowa along the Des Moines River.

Foundation Stones

I returned to my cabin in Northeast Iowa this past weekend; we took grandkids on their first trip to cabin and to tour the area looking at the leaves and the many beautiful sights. We had a wonderful trip.

As I was picking up sticks to build a fire behind the cabin, I noticed that the limestones that used to be the foundation for our old cabin, were peaking through the dirt; one here, one there, but a general outline could be seen in the grass; it had the appearance of something like a ancient building site being unearthed by archeogist.


I knew what was beneith the surface; I didn't need to have an expert tell me. It was I that burned the old cabin down accidently 4 years ago. It was I who pushed in the left over debris and buried everything below the surface and seeded it down with grass; and yet four years later... stones were making their way to the surface, indicating where the old house had set.

We all have them: buried rocks. Rocks that we have tried to bury. Rocks that have deeply hurt, wounded, or grieved us. Rocks of death, broken relationships, and unfulfilled promises. Rocks that have created havoc and chaos in family life.

We don't bury joy rocks! We mount them on top of the shelves of our houses and minds. Great stuff! Great events! Awards! Trophies! Letters of admiration! Letters of Praise!

It is the buried rocks that we keep tripping over, stubbing or toe or falling flat on our faces because they tripped us up.

I will leave the rocks visible at the cabin, and won't remove them until they trip me up at night as I go to the outhouse; then I will dig them up with a vengenance and will remove them permentantly. And with the rock, I will build a fire place near the pond, so I can have the rocks visible and functional again. It is ok to have the rocks... just don't let them crush you beneath their weight. Use them them for future ministry.

Written by
Earl Taylor
Executive Director
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa 50530
... a Christian youth and childrens summer camp and a retreat center for adults, families, churches and schools. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota

Boats and Beer Signs

I actually don't enjoy estate auctions, but I will look through the listings in our weekly shopper; my wife likes to attend auctions, so I want to see if there might be something I could use that she could buy for me.

Last week's shopper had the usual listings, but one struck me and resonated deep into my mind: lots of old beer signs and lots of boats! A man had live 70+ years, and two types of items seemed to personify the person... beer and boats.

I know that auction notices are unable to fully explain the man; perhaps he was a fine Christian man who led countless people to the Lord; perhaps he was a fine family man that love and nurtured his kids and wife: I was unable to read that in the list of what he had accumulated. I don't suppose I would have been any more ready to purchase a boat from him if I had known he had used the boats for Christian cruises of Don Williams Lake. But through the entire thought process, I did ponder, what will I be known for when I die and they sell off my stuff that I had accumulated over the years? Will anybody really care about my many deer heads, my guns, my wildlife art collection and will anybody really know and understand my testimony and my walk with Christ? Will my life on earth have any effect on what will be sold at my estate auction?

I just returned from a hunting trip to South Dakota where I got lots of shots at deer; missing 11 times. I was surprised at my response when I missed a couple really nice size bucks: I felt bad for a minute, but didn't stew or brood over not acquiring another big rack for my wall. Instead I rejoiced in the entire trip, revelling in the outdoors, and the many opportunities. I was content with waking up each morning very alive and eager to face the new day. I thought to myself,"Perhaps I am finally learning something, growing a little wiser, and perhaps I am getting things in life in a better perspective."

Earlier this week I had a chance to share with my 80 year old friend Cliff about Christ; in the end of our conversation, Cliff simply said, "You were brought up differently than I was. My dad lived to be a 100, and he did not see any need for religion. I feel the same way." Cliff will die one of these days, maybe tomorrow, and maybe like his dad, in 20 years; it is my prayer that when I preach his funeral sermon, I can tell about the man Cliff, who loved to hunt and garden, but more importantly, Cliff the man who came to Christ at 80+ years old. Pray with me for Cliff.

My friend Cliff

I actually hope I do have a big audience at my estate sale; but I don't want them there because they covet a deer head or a gun of mine; I want them there sitting on the sidelines visiting with others and saying, "I would like to have one of Earl's guns, he meant something to me and he was the one who led me to Christ." I trust that perhaps a Cliff might come to the sale... or others because they came to know Christ because of my faithfulness here on earth.

So... is your garage full of unfinished sail boats and the walls littered with antique beer signs? Or... are you already preparing you sale bill with fewer and fewer earthly items, and concentrating on your eternal sale bill?

Written by
Earl Taylor, Executive Director
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
... a Christain youth and childrens summer camp and a retreat center for adults, families, churches, and schools. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

The troubled camper

Keep the bit in a child's mouth allows the parent to keep control... which in turn produces great kids!

I wish I could tell you that every camper that comes to camp has come from the perfect home; with a mom and dad, a loving caring environment that has nurtured the child along physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is easy for me to spot these families after a few encounters with parents and children. When just the opposite has happened, it isn’t quite so easy for me to pick up. Children can hide many of their hurts and scars from most of us; it is usually only in a cabin, that the child breaks down and share what is going on in their lives back home.

We had such a young man at camp this past week. He was a bigger kid than most in his cabin. He came into camp crying out for help; not with any words, only with his actions. He was unruly, undisciplined, mouthy, and with an attitude that said, “I am in charge, I call the shots, don’t push me”. For most counselors, such behavior is very tough to handle; the camper’s disruptive behavior can flavor the entire cabin. If a counselor doesn’t get outside help from other lead staff, he might end up with a disaster of a week; none of the cabin’s campers will have a great week.

As it turned out, this young man’s mom was recently put in prison; his grandparents are trying to raise him, but incapable in dealing with the boy’s anger and hurts, so consequently spend most of the time yelling and trying to correct the boy from a chair instead of correcting and disciplining the boy with a firm hand.

The boy ended up acting out his emotional pain by trying to cut himself with paper. I asked the lead staff what cutting was and why do kids do this. Their response was that young people use paper, or razor blades to inflict cuts on arm or legs and this helps them to calm down from their emotional pain by inflicting physical pain. Apparently having physical pain temporarily removes the hurts and pains of home or school.

I am lost on this one.

At the same time this past week, I saw the other side of family life. I am thinking of two families in particular whose children attended camp this week. I have known these two families for years and have seen time and time again, the parents and child together. Every time these two families come to camp, the entire family comes. Every time I meet or greet these children, they come across as confident, friendly, engaging, and polite.

As I shared in my last blog about control, both sets of parents of these great kids have not lost control of the family. There is order, respect, control, and lots of love flowing from parent to child and from child to parent. In both situations, mom is able to stay home and maintain oversight and balanced nurturing of the child. The parents are making the decisions; the child stays under the parent’s umbrella of authority.

Regardless of what background, who ones parents are, how one is raised, the child needs a week at camp. It is here that much of life’s struggles can be forgotten for 5 days. It is here that under the care of a young counselor, that each child can find a place to fit in for 5 days. We are not miracle workers: there are still many families that children have to return to on Friday and face a mom or dad or grandparent that won’t continue nurturing and guiding the child. We want to be an oasis for a week, that perhaps, can be a little balm of Gilead to a young person’s life.

I do have to tell parents out there going through a divorce and all the ugliness that brings, “Keep your wars at home and keep the camp out of your wars. And don’t engage your child in your wars while he/she is at camp!” I am tired of immature parents fighting it out and trying to drag the camp into their legal messes. Enuf said! Grow up parents!

And to you parents who are keeping the bit in your child’s mouth, and continue to control them through their teen years, “I appreciate you and pray for you to continue to have the courage to keep up your great parenting!” It is worth it; the results of your faithfulness will come back to you generation after generation. “Surely, your grandchildren and their children will rise up and call you blessed.”

Written by
Earl Taylor, Director of Design and Vision
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
... a youth and family camp and retreat center owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota

July 4th- Random Thoughts

When it comes to work, most children have no idea how or what it entails. They mostly like the pay check part of work, and would rather skip the sweating part. I have been surprised of late of how teen age kids want to learn how to build or at least be apart of something bigger than they are. I have run two different crews of extra counselors the past two weeks. We have been doing different projects on the new Inn. Three boys installed a 2000 sq. ft. wood ceiling in the meeting room and afterwards I told them, “You have just done something that will last for the next 50 years. You will be able to bring your grand kids back to camp and say, ‘I did that’!” I had others sanding, putting up siding, painting, and finishing doors and trim. As I watched them work, it was easy for me to see who had initiative, who was a slacker, who worked at not working, who had an eye for detail, who grasped unseen concepts of construction. I also saw that most young people love to work with a group, but hate doing something totally by them selves. At the end of the two weeks, I felt my time with them was productive, that each person learned a new skill. I think I would enjoy doing that type of supervision for an entire summer.

Counselor Work Crew

I told the work crew counselors a story I had heard years ago from Tony Compola, about children. I told them about the difference between city kids and farm kids. Parents of city kids want children, like children, but don’t need children. They are a financial liability and end up costing the parent well over $225,000 to raise up to the age of 18. However, the farmer parent needs children. Their children are a financial asset. Each child of a farmer, will generate over $125,000 in income for the parent during his 18 years if the child is actively involved in the farming operation. I have never seen a farm kid with self esteem issues when he works along side his parent… he feels needed; however the opposite is true with city kids… they are not needed except to maybe empty the trash or perhaps mow the yard.

My thoughts about parenting: Too many parents lost control of their child when they started asking for the child’s opinion and preferences. When a child is little, and if a parent asks him, “Would you like oatmeal or fruity pebbles?” The child learns he is in control early. When we parents state, “This morning we are eating oatmeal, and it is good for you. Take it or leave it are your choices.” The child understands mom and dad are in control and will remain in control. When does a 6 year old know what is best for himself? By the time a child is 13 or 14, a parent will have a child with an attitude on their hands if they have been smothering him/her with excessive decision making; grow up mom and dad’s and take control early; it isn’t a popularity contest: it is called parenting!

In case you are wondering, I am from the old school; I am only 54, but in many ways, I think like most 70+ year olds; I find certain activities and music very offensive and improper. I still believe consumption of alcohol for a Christian is wrong; I still don’t think Christians should be dancing to secular music; I still find it offensive when I see a Christian light up a cigarette. Call me legalistic, call me old fashion, just don’t call me up and ask me to go drinking and dancing with you.

I hunt for meat!

I am a practical guy; I don’t spend money foolishly; I don’t do things that are not productive; I am not one to seek out entertainment or activity (movies, concerts, or sporting events) that doesn’t result in something: i.e. I hunt so I can get meat;I fish so I can eat fish; I till the ground so I can grow beans and corn. I don’t go to fire works, don’t piddle with video games, I don’t lay out in the sun, I don’t drive a motor cycle to somewhere I don’t need to be just for the sake of a ride, I would never shoot a paint ball gun (I eat what I shoot) and I would not own a pet. I know this last thought goes against every grain in America; we are a nation of pet lovers. It just doesn’t make any sense to me to own something that doesn’t do anything. I would have to feed him, take him outside, clean up after it’s messes, and then worry about the animal if I have to leave and go somewhere. If I want companionship, I will find a new friend (a person who can talk). If I want kissed, I will ask my wife or grandchildren. If I want messes in my yard and house, then I will adopt some more kids… but don’t ever expect me to get so attached to something that can’t talk, can’t work, and only costs me money. Enuf said!!

But I do have to tell you this 4th July weekend, I do love our country and all that it has allowed me to do and become. I do love the state of Iowa where it gets so sultry and hot for a few months and so cold and blustery for a few months that it can drive you inside for weeks on end, but I love the drastic seasons and the variety of natural forces. I love the fertile soil that can grow crops and weeds and wildflowers side by side. I love our rivers and the timbered valleys that pour excess water into the river basins. I love being an American and pray that the Spirit of God would sweep this great nation and bring it to it knees.

Written by:
Earl Taylor, Director of Design and Vision
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
Hidden Acres is a Christian youth camp and retreat facility located in central Iowa. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota.

Fishers of Men

Fishing Boys with prize- an 11 pound Catfish

I watched the little ones arrive at camp yesterday; what joy in their little faces. I love it when kids come to camp with such excitement, such anticipation. Once again we were overwhelmed with the sheer number of campers and parents as they arrived for a picture-perfect day; no rain, mild temperatures and just a little mud.

Three different speakers speaking to three different audiences, with plenty of fun mixed in the middle should make this week memorable. I love this age group of kids; they ask great questions; they look at their counselor as one who has all answers; and they try their best to stay up later than they should. Opening evening around the hot dog roast was best described as a zoo, as the little ones were climbing all over their counselor. I only watched and smiled thinking, “There is no way in the world I could be a counselor at my age; they would wear me out in a minute!”

Tradition has it that the fishing boys come to my house and fish from my pond one of the evenings. DeDe and I cook the boys a BBQ with some wild meat; last night was no exception with plenty of deer steaks and even fresh frog legs from the afternoon of pond plunking. The first two hours of fishing was more chasing tad poles and trying to catch a huge bull frog; there was little real fishing done except by a couple boys who were fishermen before they arrived at camp.

It is easy for me to spot the boys whose dads have fished with them and have trained them how to handle a rod and reel. They have skill and they also have the tools of a very full tackle box. Other boys come to camp with a rod and real, and a few hooks and bobbers, but little skill and for some only a mild interest in fishing. They liked the idea of fishing, but also like just mudding and dinking in the water.

I looked at this scenario and realized it is similar with people and their faith; many are committed, trained, disciplined, believers who are serious about their Walk with Christ; others are like the boys who will plink their week away; they talk fishing, they have a pole, but they never really get any fish caught. Some Christians love the idea of being a Christian, but never develop past their salvation experience; they stay along the shore chasing life without ever growing or going deeper in their walk.

And it brings great joy to my heart when I hear of someone who all of sudden takes off in their walk with Christ. I know, I diddled around shore for my first 20 years of my Christian life. I knew the language, developed a Christian pedigree, but I never caught any fish; I piddled 20 years away.

Occasionally, even in fishing you get surprised. Last night was no exception. I had left the boys at their campsite and walked the 100 yards back to my house to shower and get ready for bed when the doorbell rang. “We just caught the hugest catfish!,” they clamored. I grabbed my camera and headed across the bean field with them in the dark. Sure enough, they had. This little guy who had not caught anything all day long had stuck a dead blue gill on his hook and ended up landing a 11 pound catfish; which became the largest fish ever caught by a fishing camper in 20 years. The campsite was a buzzing with excitement, as everyone got interested in getting their pole in the water looking for another record size catfish.

My prayer for this week for these 11 young men and for the rest of the 400+ campers at Hidden Acres is that each of them will see the excitement and passion of their counselor’s lives and they too will get excited about their faith. Over and over I hear from parents of their child returning home from camp renewed and excited about Bible reading, sharing their faith, and praying. I want each camper to become real fishers of men.

Written by:
Earl Taylor, Director of Vision and Design
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
Hidden Acres is the youth camp and adult retreat center located in central Iowa. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

When Old Staff Return Home to Camp

Shawn and Connie and children

There has probably been at least 2000 kids who have worked at Hidden Acres over my past 25 years of being apart of the ministry; there is a long list of kids whom I have grown to love like sons and daughters; I smile often as I think about their time spent at camp with us.

Yesterday a couple of my favorites stopped in on their way back to Montana: Connie and Shawn McAlpine who both worked for us back in the late 80”s; Shawn is the pastor of an Christian Missionary Alliance church in Colstrip, Montana; they had returned to Iowa for a parents 50th wedding anniversary, and wanted their two children to see the camp and to check out what was new at camp; they had not been back for at least 10 years. It was great fun for me to give them the nickel tour and to show them the family life center, chapel, pastor’s cabin, and all the new program areas.

I considered both Connie and Shawn to be top notched staff; they were great kids while working together (before they were married); Shawn was our program director in the 80’s and went on to work at a camp full time in Minnesota after college. I remember them both as faithful, diligent, and with a passion for ministering to campers. In the 80’s, a staff of 12 to 16 seemed huge and almost unmanageable. I was much younger and much less trained, so that was all I could oversee. Today, we have 140 young people on staff and I don’t blink an eye at the size of the staff.

….And the week before, Ryan Peterson and his wife and new baby stopped in for a couple day visit prior to attending a wedding nearby. Ryan was a counselor and the camp pastor in the 90’s who now is senior pastor in Minnesota. He too shared about receiving his calling into ministry while working the many summers at camp.

Ryan and his family

Part of my early morning devotions time, I look over the list of current staff members and pray over them and ponder what will they become and how will they serve in the future at camp and back in the local church. From reading their bio-sketches, many of the young men have a desire to become youth pastors. I am surprised about the lack of kids who don’t see mission work in their future.

As I told the parents of the summer staff last week during our commissioning service, we will be a grinding wheel on your child’s life this summer. We will push them beyond what they ever thought they could accomplish. We will train and encourage. We will scold and admonish when necessary. We will force them to make good decisions and to be diligent and responsive. We will insist they take responsibility for mistakes and we will reward them for outstanding service. We want each young person to have a true servant's heart and to put the needs of campers above their own personal desires.

From the 140+ staff, I pray that we do send out future pastors to places like Colstrip, Montana and Minnesota, I pray we send out missionaries to places like Congo, Malaysia, and to inner city work. My prayer for this year's summer staff is that the Lord would touch their palate with the taste of active ministry that would transform them into young men and women who will not be content to sit along the sidelines of the church as pew warmers, but will be actively engaged in soul winning and kingdom work.

Pray with me that from this group, in 20 years when they come back for their tour of camp, (as they push me around in my wheel chair), that they too can report in and say, “It was here at camp that the Hand of the Lord touched me and I knew I was going to be in the ministry some day!”

Written by:
Earl Taylor, Director of Vision and Design
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
Hidden Acres is a Christian youth camp and adult retreat center located in central Iowa. Hidden Acres is owned by Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota.

First Week of Camp at Hidden Acres

Fishing camp-- biggest catch of the week

Camp is off and running: 350 campers arrived Sunday afternoon; the rain held off until after the hot dog picnic and every mom and dad were gone. But true to form, we had a good shower that muddied up the roads and trails; for the kids, it created another adventure; to the housekeepers… it created opportunities!

There were so many new families bringing their first time campers to camp. We had underestimated the number of cars that would be arriving in a 2 hour period. Our new registration area in the Family Life Center worked well, but after the first week, we know we need to make some logistical changes for the upcoming weeks. For future Sundays parents should see even a smoother system in place to get their campers registered.

Our speakers this week are Damian Peasley from the Madrid Free Church and Tyler Parsons from the Sioux Center Free Church. Both are youth pastors and both have spoken at camp before. Our prayer is that each speaker will reach the heart of every boy and girl and that the Spirit of God would do a mighty work.

I have to tell you a story from Sunday. A mother approached me and introduced herself and went on to explain that the camp had given her daughter a full scholarship to come to camp last summer. The little girl had such a wonderful experience last year she had to come back for another dose of summer camp. The mother handed me an envelope with a lovely note stating how thankful she was for the experience her daughter had enjoyed last year, and included a check for $300 with a note stating they wanted to “pay forward so that another child could get the opportunity to come to camp on a scholarship”. Wow! Did that ever bless my heart! Thank you dear parents who understand how valuable one week can be in the life of a child.

Two different camps going on at the same time: Jr. High age campers and 4-6th grade campers; one group who acts a little squirrelly at times, but tries to mask it with a sense of coolness and lack of interest, and the other group who are still intrigued with life and are full of questions and energy. We love them both and know that no matter where they are, God has a wonderful plan for their lives and our prayer is that each child will return home renewed in their Spirit and with a clean heart to serve and to grow.

…. And just a reminder to parents…. Don’t forget to pick them up on Friday!!! We love them… but they will be plenty dirty, plenty tired, and will be ready for Moms and Dads to take them home and indulge them with regular showers and daily changes of all clothing! Sorry Mom, if you find your son’s suitcase unpacked from Sunday… we really do try to make him shower!

Written by
Earl Taylor, Director of Vision and Design
Hidden Acres Christian Center, Dayton, Iowa
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
Hidden Acres is a Christian youth camp and adult retreat center located in central Iowa. Hidden Acres is owned by the Evangelical Free Churches of Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

2nd Generation

I knew it would happen eventually; if I stayed around long enough, a second generation of workers will work for me; today it has happened.

Kendall Johnson from the Oakdale Free Church worked for us in 1986 as a counselor and doing maintenance. The camp was very small with only 10 paid summer staff workers. My memory of Kendall: while a counselor, I would see Kendall on the John Deere tractor doing something, moving something, but not with his kids. Kendall was from the farm, and needed a little tractor time each week just to keep him sane. He tore into fixing the tractor and left it in a pile of bolts and metal.

Today his son Josiah Johnson starts working for us. Josiah has attended camp all these years, and has finally come of age. We are bigger now with over 120 summer staff, so Josiah will be one of many and much harder for me to keep track of.

I actually like the idea of seeing a second generation come through Hidden Acres work force. Though we were tough and demanding on the first generation, these parents understand the process of growing up and allowing their children to spread their wings and to begin establishing their own pedigree. For many, this is there first real job.

Just so you know Josiah, I will be as tough on you as I was your dad; the only difference is that I am much older and slower and I don't hear much... good luck and I pray you grow in real knowledge and that you will develop new skills that will last a life time.

In Name Only

I did something last week that I had only done one other time in my lifetime; attended a Saturday night mass at a Catholic church in Northeast Iowa. I was on my yearly pilgrimage to the God’s country: turkey hunting, trout fishing, Mississippi River fishing, and mushroom hunting; it is a tradition that my family and I have enjoyed for over 20+ years. It is a trip that I can’t and won’t miss each spring.

This is a different year however; the first year that my dad won’t be making the trip to the cabin with us; he passed away last summer: we buried Dad just over the hill from the cabin in the Catholic cemetery at Wexford; one of the oldest Catholic churches in Iowa. The cemetery has grave stones that date back to the late 1800’s; with family names that I recognize from the community. I visited Dad’s grave for the first time on Saturday night; afterwards I walked to the beautiful old Catholic church and attended their 8 p.m. Saturday night service.

Many of the people who arrived a few minutes before 8 p.m. are my friends; I hunt on their land, and over the years we have grown to love them. I sat and cried as I listened to the “Hail Mary, full of Grace… “ repetition of the congregation. The people were very reverent as they entered the building, crossed themselves, dipped their fingers into Holy Water, then bowed before they sat down in the very uncomfortable pews; the kneeling bench was lowered and they bowed before the shrine of statues and prayed through their beads.

I had no idea what was going on throughout the service; the acoustics were poor, the Father was un-miked, and there was many rituals performed that I had no idea what or why of their actions. Good farm folk were very comfortable with the routine; I felt like a complete stranger who didn’t understand English. I felt very uneasy; but I stood when others stood, sat when they sat; most of the time I turned off my hearing aids, and bowed and prayed silently. But my heart ached as I prayed.

For over 150 years, this little stone church has been the meeting spot for countless families; it was where they were married, their children were baptized, where they participated in the sacraments, and where they were buried. For 150 years, people have attended a church and never understood the good news of salvation through faith alone. “For by grace are you saved, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

I spoke with one of the bachelor farmers on Monday and told him I enjoyed being in church with him on Saturday night. Johnny commented, “I can’t understand that priest. Couldn’t hear or understand a word.” I said, “Me too.” Nearly 80 years old, and not understand a word from the priest.

I attended New Albin Free Church on Sunday morning. There was no grand building to enter; because it was a temporary church, there was no sign out that indicated this was a church; the church was a bank meeting room; a lovely room with limestone walls, no ornaments on the walls, but only a piano, a portable lectern and a stack of hymnals. Coffee was on, cookies were out, and fellowship of believers was taking place. Prior to the service starting, family and friends milled about and visited with each other. There was life in the building.



4 hymns were sung: I knew everyone by heart; I didn’t need to open the hymnal. For the first time in months, I sang. “Tell me the old, old story; His Name is Wonderful, Grace greater that Our Sins, and Jesus, Name above all names” My heart was stirred from the words. The sermon was from the 1st three verses in Hebrews, of the 7 attributes of Jesus…. The one who provided purification from Sin. I understood this message. I understood each aspect of the service; I felt the Spirit of God working among His people as I sat in this room next to the bank on main street of New Albin.

What a difference: a beautiful church surrounded by a beautiful, old cemetery surrounded by beautiful timber and a nearby trout stream, and a main street bank building converted into a church for a short period. The 150+ year old Catholic church had no message, no spirit, no hand of the Lord. The bank building was blessed and anointed with proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One was a church in name only, the other, the Church that God intended.

Volunteers: What a Blessing!

Dennis and Pastor Mike from Charles City

I have just finished up a 2 week run of overseeing volunteers: what a blessing this has been for me! With the building of Schlichting Inn, we have put out the word to our churches that we are looking for help; and they have responded.

The Meriden Crew putting up siding

I am always amazed when a group of men will give up their Saturdays to come to camp and work hard and long. This winter we have had groups of men from Muscatine, Adel, Arthur, Oakdale, Meriden, Pella, Sheldon, Ankeny,Clear Lake and the Johnston area. Everyone of these group of men come with different skills and a variety of interests. During this one or two days of work, they accomplish more than our staff can do in a week. They are available to do work that is heavy and tiresome, freeing up our permanent staff to concentrate on some technical parts of the construction process (geothermal, heating, cooling, plumbing, wiring).


The Pella men sheetrocking the meeting room

In addition to these group of men who have given up their Saturdays, we have had 2 groups of young people here to work at the camp. One, a group from Dordt college in Sioux Center and the other, a high school group from the Pella Free Church who gave up their spring break days to come and help us in the Inn and around camp.

The Pella High School Group and Pastor Greg

I have to tell you, I have drug my feet when I get a request for a work project from high schoolers; it is usually the adults who want their kids to experience a service project of some kind; the students are usually not too hot about it. NOT SO WITH THESE TWO GROUPS! I have never seen such a faithful group of kids... and they gave up their week off of school to help me out!! That is a huge blessing to me.

The students cleaned out and re-mulched all of our flower beds, they hauled over 200 sheets of 12' x 4 1/2' 5/8 sheetrock up to the second story of the Inn, they put on siding, insulated, sheetrocked, cleaned, swept, and organized our tools and supplies in the Inn, made targets for 24 hours retreat, hauled picnic tables, hauled wood, picked up trash, pulled wire, mudded nail holes, set up archery range, and anything else I could think up! They worked their tails off.


Dordt College Students

I actually loved being around the kids; they always came and asked me, "What do you want me to do next?" I call that Iniative! Very few young people have that gift. It truely is a gift that will send these young people to the head of the line when they start looking for full time jobs. There is nothing that exhausts me more than having to track down workers to tell them their next assignement.

We see the same thing during the summer with our paid staff; there are those who want to work, and then there are those who just want paid. A big difference. It is the workers who we invite back the next year.

A free piece of advice to parents: Instill a strong work ethic in your kid early; don't allow them to make excuses, to be lazy, to be sloppy or slothful. It never hurt a child to push them a bit... or alot! Kids want to be challenged, they want to do something big, and they can't and won't do anything sitting in front of their video game machine. They should be taught life skills that will go with them into adulthood. A parent of the Pella students wrote me a note after her son returned home: "My son especially noted your willingness to teach him and work alongside him. He mentioned you were almost a grandpa figure for him!" Man... that blessed my heart! A grandpa figure!! and at 54 years old! (I felt like a 80 year old grandpa trying to keep up with these young, strong, able bodied young people. I was determined not to be outworked).

I always have many projects up my sleeve for the volunteer! I can use a bunch of good men, women and children to help me build and keep the camp looking good.

earldtaylor@yahoo.com

The New Look in Church: No Steeples or Stainglass

I was visiting with my mother-in-law the other night and asked about her church. She replied, "Our pastor is leaving. We can't seem to attract any young families. There are 3 or 4 couples and a handful of widow ladies, and one young family." We talked further and she said, "But our building is worth a million bucks." She went on to say the church building was right next to the new mall in West Des Moines and that the city would love to own this piece of property.

It was a no-brainer for me, "Sell the building, hire you a young pastor with a family, pay him a decent wage so he can work full time at the ministry and set up church in a store front or school," I told her. "We could never do that," she said with a shocked look on her face. I said, "Well, then figure on dieing a very slow death as a church!" But I understood her shock; here was a group of older folks who have attended this church all their lives, and had no idea of how to break out of their slow death march and create a new look, a new perspective of ministry, a model that could be attractive to young families. The rut they were in was nothing more than a grave with both ends opened up.

I visited the Onawa Free Church yesterday. Quite the opposite from my mother-in-law's scenario. This established church recently sold their old conventional church building in a hard to find residential area of Onawa. They sold the church building, bought a former car dealership building out on the highway, and are now busting at the seams. The men of the church have created a very lovely, usable space complete with sanctuary, offices, Sunday school rooms, kitchen and fellowship area. They have a huge parking lot complete with enough parking lot lights to light up every nook and cranny of the site. And to top it all off, before the ink was dry on the purchase of the car dealership, another company came along and offered to buy the service building across the street from them; they were able to get into their new building for next to nothing.

I liked their approach; it was not normal or conventional, but the leadership of the church understood they need more space, more visibility, and a facility on ground floor. As a result, the Lord has blessed them abundantly. They just purchased an adjacent building to the church to create a youth center; all for penny's on the dollar for new construction. We pray for Pastor Tim and the congregation that they will be salt and light to those who drive down main street Onawa. Great move!

Don't get me wrong: I love my mother-in-law, and I pray the best for this little Baptist church next to the mall. I am not asking them to throw out their piano and organ; I am not asking them to preach a lighter gospel; I am not asking them to stop meeting the needs of the seniors. I just wanted the church to look beyond their personal interests and needs and to see the fields white unto harvest; To place their church right in the middle of where people are living.

That is our prayer at the camp; to always look for more ways to preach the gospel. To be attractive enough to the unbeliever that he or she will give us a chance to share with them. And to be available when opportunities come our way to respond quickly and with the purpose of presenting the gospel message to those in need and for those looking for answers. I see the crumbling economy as a wonderful opener to share what God's Word says.

Launch: A leadership development Program at Hidden Acres

Launch... sound like NASA. But it is not. I am thrilled about this new program we are offering at Hidden Acres. For years we have tried to have an internship program for college age kids; it usually consisted of one or two people who didn't know what to do with their lives so they came to camp to help out with kitchen, housekeeping, or maintenance. We worked them to death and didn't pay them too much. They were able to get some direction in their lives, or decided, "I don't want to have to work that hard for the rest of my life, maybe I should go to school and make something of myself." Either way, each young person moved on from camp after a semester or two with us.

Under Ryan Graden leadership, our new Leadership Development program, called Launch, will take up to 10 young men in the first year. The young men will arrive at camp in August, and stay with us until May. During that time we will have scheduled classroom time, assignments, outside of camp ministry opportunities, and they will help around camp doing routine jobs that will enhance and enlarge our entire ministry.

I love the concept; 10 Christian young men living together in a dorm under the tutelage of a Godly teacher, Ryan, being poured into daily with concepts and opportunities to grow, develop, refine, establish and define themselves, and understand their God given gifts and natural abilities; preparing themselves to launch into life.

Subject material that will be covered will be character development, leadership skills, service in ministry, finances, being a Godly husband, and roles in the church.

In addition to their class room time, the young men will get a opportunity to work along side other full time staff; office, maintenance, housekeepers, food service, and programs. They will learn how camp is run, but more importantly, they will be taught concepts like availability, service, initiative, perception, and drive. . We want to be able to help train these young men to become great employees for any sort of work they might do later-in-life. This is a time to refine and build up a resume with marketable skills and insights.

Throughout the year, Hidden Acres will bring in pastors and teachers to come along side us with additional teaching. Each young man will have a chance to attend a regional camping conference, visit other camps and ministries, and to become even more familiar with what could be available to them in full time service. Our ultimate goal is to point these young men into service, whether it is full time, or being very engaged in the local church.

Unlike school, each participant will be paid to learn and grow. Parents: If this doesn't excite you... not as much money out of your pockets, your son will be surrounded by Christian men to encourage and keep him accountable, he will learn to do dishes, his own laundry, and mop floors and toilets, and we pray he leaves Hidden Acres after his time with us, grown up, prayed up and ready to launch out into life of school, marriage, family and church, a stronger and more productive leader.

Check out our web page for more details and download an application: http://www.hacamps.org/

My Bus Driver Friend

Jr. High retreaters left on Sunday before noon; the Valley kids were being picked up by a local bus service from Des Moines. While the kids were packing up, I struck up a conversation with the bus driver. A 70 year old man who was looking for some breakfast; I found him some coffee and some rolls from breakfast and sat down in the Family Life Center to visit while he ate. It didn't take long for him to open up.

"I had my esophagus removed a couple years ago, " he said between bites. "I have to eat slower. My stomach is right up here," pointing to near his top of his sternum. "I had chemo for prostate cancer 10 years ago... and my wife is taking chemo for lung cancer. I can't get her to stop smoking." He went on and told me of his days in the service in Washington, about driving the bus, about one of his twin boy being still born. I said, "We know he is in heaven."

I stopped him when I asked, "If you died today, do you know where you will spend eternity?" He replied quickly, "Heaven." There was no more conversation, the bus needed to be loaded. I wanted to spend time following up his answer with a question about the time when he accepted Christ as his Savior. I pray that he remembers our talk, and that he might return and we can visit again. He said heaven, I pray he knew, but I have some doubts. When asked where he went to church, he said, "I can't remember the name of the church, but the preacher is the son of the former preacher... and I can't remember his name."

It is never too late to have an encounter with the Almighty. Never too late to start fresh. Never too late to become a new creation. For many, when we think of Hidden Acres, we think kids; but I think, "If he is breathing and walking, he should hear the good news." Pray with me for my bus driving friend.

Hazle and Ralph Erickson

Over the last 25 years at camp, I have made some wonderful friends; I get to mingle with the families from over a 100 different Free churches; yesterday, I attended the funeral of a dear friend: Hazle Erickson.

If one has been around the Free church for a number of years, you knew Hazle's husband Ralph better than Hazle. Ralph spent most of his ministry years in the Covenant Church; 20 years in the Des Moines Covenant Church. Ralph was larger than life; a big man with a loud voice; when he came into a room or a meeting, he was engaged. Seldom did you not hear Ralph's opinions or vision. Hazle was just the opposite; quiet, supportive, and calm encourager to those around her.

Slowly we are loosing a generation of faithful servants; they are now with Jesus. Years and years of service in the local church as pastor and wives; for many, it meant poor pay, poor housing, and lousy hours! They endured for the sake of a higher calling. They ministered in spite of their conditions. They were tough and they were called. They stuck to it even when things didn't look comfortable or positive.

I like being around people like Ralph and Hazle. They understand the big picture of ministry life; they both understood that they were in the people business and not the church business. Their passion was to see people come to a saving knowledge of Christ and then to grow and develop into solid, stable church leaders. I never sensed from either of them that they were about building the biggest and brightest church in town; they stuck with the knitting and worked with one person at a time.

I find this to be a wonderful model; the Ralph and Hazle way of building ministries; one person at a time. Caring, teaching, training, instructing, developing, pushing souls into kingdom service. I am not against large scale programs that have been copied from another successful ministry; but in reality, ministry can be simple (it can messy and complicated too), but simple when you stay focused on people and not projects or buildings.

Trust me, I need to be reminded of this quite often; attending Hazle's funeral and hearing about her faithfulness is just what I needed as I look ahead this year. Stick with building Biblical truths into individuals lives, and the ministry will blossom and be blessed.

Thanks Ralph and Hazle for your faithfulness to Hidden Acres and to the many churches that you were a part of during your 50+ years of ministry. We look at your lives with gratitude and thankfulness; may we be just as diligent in our service as you were.

A New Year

In camp life, January 1 is a big day; not because of football, or the family gatherings; it is because we start in earnest getting ready for the next summer of ministry. For me personally, I spend some of January reflecting on the past year, planning the next year, and doing some dreaming. It is no different this year.

I believe that 2008 was a good year for the camp; we were blessed with a great summer staff and key leadership that were engaged and diligent in their work. I saw young men and women arrive as children, and left after a summer of work as men and women who were finally thinking and acting on their own. A summer spent in a Christian community serving has a way of melting and blending hearts and minds together. For summer staff, friends made during the summer will be long-term friends and not just passing acquaintances; this is a result of 120 staff being committed to the same cause; that is to bring boys and girls to Jesus Christ.

The camp facility also grew during 2008. The Wester cabin was finished and used by 53 different family last year. Over and over I am hearing pastors and missionaries comment how thankful they are for such a wonderful cabin to bring their family to enjoy all the camp has to offer. We are so thankful for the Wester family for seeing such a need and responding with the funds to help us build. In addition to the cabin, we began Schlichting Inn; a 27 room lodge that will function like a motel and will provide 150 beds and a meeting space for conferences and meetings. This new facility will allow us to attract another type of group to camp; an older crowd that wants to have a bathroom and some privacy.

2009 will see the completion to the Inn, but the beginning of a new leadership program for young men. This 9 month service opportunity will be used to train young men with leadership skills that can be plugged into future ministry opportunities, or to life in general. We want to help give these young men the skills and insight into seeing a ministry in action as well as many hands on experiences that will mold them into flexible, insightful, determined young men that could do well on the mission field, or do well in a local church.

Pray with us as move ahead. Pray for us as we work at hiring just the right staff for the summer. Pray with us as we minister to countless retreat groups.