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.