“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
At our MEA Retreat, we revealed our summer theme. We’re calling it “Royals” and we’ll be looking at 1 Peter 2:9.
We had some fun by giving out Theme Clues over the past few weeks. If you’re curious, check out the clues here!
If you want more information about our summer programs like dates, age groups, and prices, click here.
THE THEME HAS BEEN REVEALED! The clues are still below if you want to check them out. Scroll down to see the answers!
One clue by itself will not be enough to figure out the theme. But if you put the clues together, you can figure it out! Below are the clues so far (you may want to use good ol’ Google to help you):
CLUE #1
“εὐαγγέλιον” and “επιστολές”
CLUE #2
“I traveled with Jesus. It was pretty sweet. One time I told him he couldn’t wash my feet.
In the Testament, not Old, but New, I wrote some books. Maybe three? Maybe two?
Somewhere in the one I wrote first, is where you’ll find the summer theme verse.”
CLUE #3
There are codes like this all over your schools and probably in your house, but it’s likely you never notice them. Some codes are 10 digits long and some are 13. Both of the codes below will lead you to the same place
073770635X
978-0737706352
CLUE #4 
CLUE #5
Answers
Clue #1
Those words are Greek. They translate into “gospel” and “epistles.” The gospels and the epistles make up the New Testament.
Clue #2
The rhyme is talking about the Apostle Peter. He wrote 2 books in the New Testament, 1 Peter and 2 Peter. The one he wrote first was 1 Peter.
Clue #3
Those are ISBN numbers. Simply pasting one of those numbers into Google should lead you to a history book about The 1600s.
Clue #4
Those actors are George Clooney and Elizabeth Banks. Their first names are very important: George & Elizabeth
Clue #5
Those cartoons in the middle are characters from famous nursery rhymes. They are surrounded by pictures of bridges. Can you think of a famous nursery rhyme about a bridge? How about London Bridge is Falling Down?
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