It was the last few minutes of our 2016 Women’s Retreat, and I was handing out silent auction items that had been won. I was exhausted after a long weekend, but was doing my best to remain cheerful as I wrapped up conversations with ladies as they headed home. A woman came to grab a silent auction item she had bid on, and we ended up having an extremely encouraging conversation. That talk was a reminder of why we all do what we do here at Covenant Pines Ministries.
This woman has a first grader who attends Minnehaha Academy. After their annual “camp chapel,” her daughter came home enthusiastic and ready to go to CPBC for the first time. Hesitant but trusting, this mother allowed her daughter to attend Kids Kamp over the summer. Her daughter returned from camp with smiles and stories about all the fun and cool things she participated in and learned about.
After her daughter’s experience – this mother, who had never been to Covenant Pines before, felt like she needed to check the place out for herself, and decided to attend the Women’s Retreat in the fall. She attended with another mother from school, and they were allowed to experience the love of Christ for themselves at the Women’s Retreat. But the beautiful thing about this story is that not only was this woman able to get away with a friend, feel refreshed and closer with God, she was also able to feel a sense of comfort about where she was sending her daughter. We wrapped up our conversation, and she mentioned to me how grateful she was for our ministry – grateful that her daughter and her friends from school have many years of fun and spiritual growth ahead of them at this safe place. This conversation was the perfect way to end a weekend of ministry – an encouraging reminder of the ripple effect Jesus can have in this place – and the opportunity we have to minister to people of all ages with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
by: Holly Larson
It is with great excitement that Covenant Pines Ministries announces the calling of Brad and Brooke Shannon to Adventurous Christians.
Brad has served as Lead Pastor of New Life Covenant Church in Twig, MN for the past 13 years. An ordained Covenant Pastor, he has previously served on staff at Bloomington Covenant Church and Covenant Pines Bible Camp. Brad is no stranger to camping having served on summer staff at Bluewater Covenant Bible Camp, summer and full time staff at Covenant Pines Bible Camp, on the board of Covenant Park Bible Camp, as well as on the Adventurous Christians Commission. Brooke has worked alongside Brad as a significant volunteer at New Life Covenant, coordinating the VBS program and Women’s Bible studies. She has been through Tentmakers training, led multiple mission trips and served as a backpack guide in Colorado. Brooke has also worked the past 10 years as Town Clerk. The Shannon’s have three children, J – 11, Ryan – 10 and Katie – 5. Brad made news two years ago when he snowmobiled over 1800 miles from Twig, MN to Churchilll, Manitoba as a fundraiser for a new church building.
“I have known Brad for many years and am excited to work alongside him and Brooke at AC,” says CPM Executive Director, Dave Cairns. “Brad has a heart for ministry and a love of God’s creation. I’m excited for what the future holds at Adventurous Christians under his leadership.” Please join with the Covenant Pines Ministries community in welcoming Brad and Brooke Shannon to Adventurous Christians.
The Shannon’s will begin in early July.
Your Gift Will Help Send Kids to Camp! If you want to participate in the 2018 5K, click here.
The Story
I was running the other day and an image popped into my head. The image was of a dad running his kids to camp. They were on his back and he was literally running them to camp. I felt like I knew this fictional dad; his entire backstory. I knew that he and his wife worked very hard to provide for their kids yet struggled to make ends meet. I knew that the growth and happiness of their kids was the highest priority to him. It was clear that this dad was motivated. He was willing to do whatever it took to get his kids up here for a week at Summer Camp.
The image didn’t pop into my head out of nowhere. I decided to start running up here a few months ago. I was inspired by a few friends and family members that ran the Twin Cities marathon last October. I was playing around with the idea of running a marathon this summer. But I knew that I wanted to run for a reason. As I prayed about a cause that I could run for, the only thing that struck a real chord was camp scholarships.
“I knew that I wanted to run for a reason. As I prayed about a cause that I could run for, the only thing that struck a real chord was camp scholarships.”
When I was 7 years old, my two brothers and I boarded a school bus to camp. My mom had packed our stuff. I had packed my stuffed elephant (pictured right). That was the first of many weeks I would spend at camp. The next summer, I committed to being a follower of Jesus. A few years later I made my first video during skill time. Later, I developed a genuine love for God’s word. In my High School years I learned the value of open and real conversations. On summer staff, I felt God calling me into full-time ministry.
“Camp changed my life… None of it would have been possible without camp scholarships.”
Camp changed my life; in huge spiritual ways that shaped my whole worldview, and in smaller ways like watching a counselor play drums and wanting to learn. None of it would have been possible without camp scholarships. Sending 3 kids to camp would not have been possible for my family without the generosity of scholarship donors. The dad from my image is fictional. But I know there are many parents out there who would literally run their kids to camp because they believe in the power of this place. There are parents who want to invest in the spiritual development of their children. There are parents who are doing whatever it takes to get them here.
“I imagine that every step I take out on a run is literally bringing a kid one step closer to camp.”
So I’ve decided to run the Minneapolis Marathon and raise scholarship funds throughout my training. When I’m not motivated to run or it’s difficult and I want to quit, I imagine that dad. I imagine that every step I take out on a run is literally bringing a kid one step closer to camp. Will you give to this cause today? Will you help those parents who want nothing more than to give their kids a one-of-a-kind experience with their Creator? I ask you to prayerfully consider giving towards this marathon. Your gift will change lives.
$2,300 Raised
Wear Your Camp Swag. Get $100 off Summer Camp.
Do you have some camp swag? Do you still have the theme shirt from your first summer at CPBC? Do you proudly sport your volunteer T Shirt? Do you have several versions of the classic, “Covenant Pines” crew-neck? We want you to show us how die hard you are!
Spring Break season is upon us. Many of you will be traveling to far away places. Some of you are staying home. Regardless of how you’re spending your Spring Break, be sure to pack your CPBC Swag because you could get $100 off the cost of a summer camp session.
HOW TO PLAY
Take a picture of you wearing your clothes. Post it on Instagram, Twitter, or facebook and using #CovPinesSwag. That’s it! The winner will be selected based on creativity and cool landmarks in the background. If you’re staying home for Spring Break that’s fine! There’s still plenty of ways you can be creative here in Minnesota.
ADDED INCENTIVE
If you win and you bring a CPBC First-Timer to camp this summer, then that friend gets $100 off too!
We will announce the winner sometime in mid April.
The sun beats down on your face. You stop paddling for a quick break. The sudden lack of motion causes a soothing silence. You take sip of water from your Nalgene. The silence gives way to the sound of waves gently bumping into the metal canoe. Birds chirp overhead. The persistent buzzing of summer insects makes it’s way across the lake. You’re warm. You’re sweaty. You’re exhausted. And you’re 100% in the moment. Thoughts of school, sports, and all things routine are far from your mind. All you’re thinking about is your canoe, the lake, the trees, your trip companions, and the God who created it all. That is The Crossover.
We are very excited to offer this trips-based camping experience at Adventurous Christians for the first time ever. For 6 days you will experience the Power of God and the Love of Christ as you canoe through the Boundary Waters with your group. You sign up as an individual just like you would when registering for a Junior High week of summer camp. You’ll get on the bus, travel to CPBC, and have lunch. From there you’ll hop in a van and drive up keep driving up to Adventurous Christians, just north of Grand Marais, MN. You’ll spend the first day on site. You’ll get to know your traveling companions and go through some basic orientation. On day two the group sets out for the most memorable week of your summer. The trip guides at AC will be there for guidance and expertise. The staff will not only provide camping guidance, but spiritual wisdom. The staff does all of this for one reason; to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ.
SPACE IS VERY LIMITED.
Start your adventure today.
Senior High Trip: July 25-30
14 SPOTS LEFT
Junior High Trip: Aug 1-6
11 SPOTS LEFT