A couple of months ago I attended an international ministry conference in Guatemala City. What struck me immediately were the enormous and very obvious needs for shelter, clean water, food, sanitation, and safety. As I reflected on what I was witnessed I contrasted it against the life I have known in the US I was taken aback.
Thanks to a generous donor who believed in our mission to create opportunities for Christ centered ministry, we are underway on a remodel of Fir Lodge, one of our most used lodging facilities. This update will open opportunities for future generations to experience transformation at Mt. Gilead Bible Camp.
Custom Camps & Retreats have nothing to fear! We are only renovating two rooms at a time to accommodate rental groups.
Jill Briscoe is one of my heroes. She and her husband have served in ministry for decades. Originally, from England they felt God calling them to serve in the United States. Jill began a magazine for women serving the Lord in ministry about 20 years ago. It is a vibrant magazine laced with wisdom, humor, insight and encouragement.
I love reading that magazine because the author has experienced all the joys and trials of ministry and her words carry a great deal of weight in my mind because she doesn’t handout patronizing advise or platitudes.
At the close of each summer as I shift from wearing flip flops to more conventional shoes I am astounded at the tan lines on my feet. Having uniquely designed flip flops makes for some interesting tan lines. Darkened by the Sun, our staff develop skin that reflects the hours spent in the presence of the Sun. We bear on our body the marks of people working, playing and living under the Sun. On a spiritual level how much more should our character bear the mark of our savior after spending hours in His presence.
God is always at work at Mt. Gilead. We are blessed to see lives transform before our eyes. Early on in our ministry a young high school boyfriend and girlfriend were attending high school camp. They were the focal point of prayer for the counselors that summer. The two were thought of as the Ice King and Queen of camp because of their brazen indifference to the message and worship in chapel. They were defiant and determined to remain unmoved and untouched by God’s spirit and His people. However, as the week wore on and our prayers went forward God began stirring and doing what only God can do…penetrate hard hearts.
Our goal has always been to reach and teach Campers in Northern California about Jesus and His life-changing work, show them God’s beauty in Creation, and surround them in Christian Community. 1,500 campers this summer does not mean our camp is full. It means something much greater.
Music is ever changing. It impacts and establishes culture and defines generations. Youth in the 1920′s saw Jazz as new and rebellious. How is it seen now?
Every generation connects with and relates to, the music of their time. Music communicates, teaches, and motivates. From helping a 5 yr old learn their ABC ‘s to pumping-up the crowd before the Big Game, music effects every area of life. Given he impact music has on our lives it prompts a serious question: what kind of music is on Jesus’ iPod?
As a camp running a summer youth program it is imperative that we be accommodating to church youth ministries, because camp is not just a place where youth ministries go it is a place where youth ministry takes place. Our relationships with youth ministries are relationships of partnership, upholding and empowerment.
When my husband and I were kids we never attended summer camp, it wasn’t even a thought in our minds or our parent’s minds. Ironically, our children, however, have been immersed in camp since the day we brought them home from the hospital (we actually live in a camp home). Even though I hate to admit, I worried just like any other parent when my kids were bunking with 7 other little kids for the first time without mom around. Even though I worried, I saw amazing growth in their lives because of those weeks of Junior Camp.
Decorum or DisguiseJanuary 24, 2012
Summer 2012January 19, 2012
Fir Lodge RenovationDecember 19, 2011
Going green in a beige worldNovember 09, 2011