“I have a child here in tears here that would like to come to the Trailblazer Retreat that starts today.”
Camp received this call from a foster mom, Monica, on the Friday of the Trailblazer Retreat we held the weekend of February 15-17. We were finalizing all the last minute details of the weekend. What a crazy blessing it is for us to have over one hundred 3-6 graders loving winter and worshiping Jesus together! These campers come from all different kinds of places and families.
Monica is an amazing woman from Community Covenant Church. We think the world of her. She cares for kids in such a way that they find Jesus through her love. In the midst of hard circumstances that God only knows, they make their way into Monica’s home. On that Friday, Monica and I had an amazing conversation. She believed it was no accident that this boy arrived at her house Thursday evening, the day before this retreat. He was supposed to attend camp with her kids. God had a plan for him to be at camp and it was truly our gift to welcome him here.
In the midst of the conversation she was able to share how sometimes midst of hard circumstances, God shows up with these sweet reminders of the plans He has for these kids. It was a gift from God that this little boy arrived at her home when he did. We found space for him and worked with Monica to get him on the bus. Throughout the weekend, he seemed to have an amazing time.
Recently, I had a chance to check in with Monica, as we helped her get her and her kids registered for our August Family Camp. The list of kids in her family account is long and at this time she is unsure who all will join her and what kids might find her way to her home in August. But her heart is so so good and she shared some sweet reminders that were inspiring to me:
“God continues to do amazing things. I shouldn’t be surprised because He continues to show up and He does it all the time!”
“I may not have Silver and Gold but I have love.”
“I might not know their situation but I can help.”
What is it that God is showing you to do? How is he asking you to show up? Over and over again Monica talks about the blessing Covenant Pines is to her but she has also been a blessing to us. Oh the many ways God has used her and her kids to teach us. She’s taught us to look for the amazing ways He is at work and to be open for to the ways He’s asking us to show up!
We’ve been hard at work getting our third Lakeside Cabin ready for summer. Check out some pictures of the progress below.
In 2016, Brad & Brooke Shannon joined the CPM staff as Directors of Adventurous Christians. For the past two and half years these two, along with their three children, have been a key part of what makes AC so special. They served everyone who came to AC with Christ-like humility and care. Under their leadership, construction on the new Portage Haus building was completed, the roof of the lodge was replaced, and significant funds were raised for new building projects. Aside from these more visible projects, Brad and Brooke also organized and upgraded many behind-the-scenes parts of camp. They streamlined administrative processes, cleaned up the physical property, and recruited new groups and volunteers. Operating under the philosophy that “everything speaks,” they have brought intentionality and care into every aspect of AC.
We are sad to see the Shannons leave. They will be sorely missed. We’re thankful for their loving stewardship of AC during their time with us. They helped many people take their next steps with Christ on trail and on site. Please join us in praying for them as they take their next steps as a family.
In 2005 my family took a literal step into the unknown. We relocated across the country, I started with a new camping ministry and we built a house. Each of these three events shaped the next decade of our family. We eventually became comfortable on the East Coast and my kids readily identify with New England as where they grew up. Through new experiences and challenges, I developed greatly as a leader and Executive Director. The new house we built transformed from concrete, 2×4’s and drywall to our “Home”. It became full of significant life memories (first steps, broken bones, shared holidays and much more) that define our family. It was bittersweet in 2015 to leave our home to start a new chapter of our life with Covenant Pines Ministries (CPM).
CPM is now poised to embark on a similar bittersweet period. At the April CPM Annual Meeting, I announced that we are moving forward on three building projects in the near future. While exciting and new, each project will bring a sense of loss for some. Change always does that. One of the stated values of CPM is to “Embrace Healthy Change.” This is what we are hoping to live into.
Silver Beach Lakeside Cabin
Beginning in the Fall of 2018, we are constructing a new Lakeside cabin at Silver Beach Family Camp. In recent years, we have been able to replace two of the original seasonal cabins with beautiful year-round cabins. These cabins have been funded primarily through memorial and estate gifts by individuals who have desired to see families impacted through camping ministry. This new cabin will continue this vision.
Adventurous Christians Health Center
While maintaining its wilderness feel, Adventurous Christians is striving to serve campers better by creating isolation space where sick campers can rest and bathe. (The Cook County Health Inspector has also asked us to create such space). We have received an extremely generous gift that will fund the construction of a Health Center. We are also intending to add a second level to the building in order to expand available housing for staff members.
Covenant Pines Bible Camp Worship Center
In July of 1955, Covenant Pines Bible Camp was dedicated “for worship in prayer and praise; for the ministry of the Word of God and the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.“ This ministry purpose has not changed over the years, but how we do ministry has changed. A large, seasonal building with straight rows, functioned wonderfully in our early years. But as we developed into a year-round ministry and the use of worship spaces changed, the Chapel remained the same. The Gospel, the lake views and maybe the smell have remained constant, but the building is functionally lacking. Looking towards the future, and needing to address structural issues, we have decided to build a new worship space. Beginning in the Fall of 2018, a building task force will be meeting to lead the construction process. A team is also being assembled to assist with the significant fundraising effort needed.
I recognize the bittersweetness of new buildings and the sense of loss that can accompany them. I feel them myself. I have sat with Ken Bosworth and listened to stories of the formative years at AC. I personally lived at Silver Beach and walked past the original cabins daily. I’ve sat in too many chapel services to remember and watched as counselors shared Jesus with campers in our beloved A-frame Chapel. At the same time, I’m excited to see what new reality we will live into. The vision of Covenant Pines Ministries is “to Change a Life.” While buildings don’t do this, they do provide the physical space where campers can meet God. I ask that you join me in praying for these three upcoming building projects. If you are interested in learning more about any of the projects, curious about volunteering to bring them to reality or want to contribute financially, please contact me at dave@covenantpines.org.
This summer, God called my wife Emily and I to bring the Joy of Christ to a few hundred day campers. I think we did a solid job of doing that!
Our theme for the summer was “Next Steps” and our lessons each day revolved around John 4 and the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. We helped the campers learn that asking questions of Jesus is instrumental to spiritual growth and understanding our own faith and walk with Christ.
While “Next Steps” was at first challenging to break down to elementary school kids, it was encouraging to see the majority of children jump in with both feet, and ask themselves; “What would I say to Jesus if he walked up to me today? What would He say to me?” As our day campers grew more comfortable with each other and their volunteer counselors throughout each week, one consistent answer to that second question would emerge. Jesus would say to these kids: “I love you, no matter where you are.”
Versions of this phrase were articulated by campers at every day camp: McGregor, Bethlehem Lutheran in Grand Marais, Maple Grove Covenant Church, Plymouth Covenant, Crossroads Church in Cottage Grove, and Bethlehem Covenant. Not just that Jesus loved them, but like the Samaritan woman, Jesus loved them regardless of any messiness outside of church and youth group. For such a profound concept to be articulated with the clarity we witnessed in their cabin devotional time, was incredibly affirming.
Additionally, each church took great pride in their volunteers. Which they should have! For Christ’s love to be discussed well in elementary age groups, it requires skilled facilitators, which our churches undoubtedly had. At the end of each day the Covenant Pines Day Camp staff would recap with our host church staff & volunteers and hear stories from the day. Jesus showed up all over the place! Funny stories and camper quotes, challenging moments as leaders, and most importantly: campers taking next steps in their journeys with Christ, some even saying “yes” to Him for the very first time.
Camp ministry is unique in that you’re never sure of the spiritual lives your campers lead as the week starts. But what is especially cool about day camp ministry, is that the volunteers for the week are attending the same church as the campers in most cases. Whenever a camper prayed that prayer or wanted to take a next step with Jesus, the Children’s Ministry Pastor would always jump in with follow-up details. That follow-up can be so important. This church partnership allows for adult church members to engage with that camper as the school year progresses.
We learned about the love of Christ and we Experienced the Joy of Christ at Day Camp. I have full confidence in each and every host church, volunteer, and Children’s Pastor that participated with us. Emily and I have been praying for all of our campers and staff now that Day Camp has ended, and we want to thank all the host churches for partnering with us this past summer!