Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Jessie

Jessie, Jessie, she’s our girl…on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!!

Jessie has got the sweetest nature about her! She’s never imposing and always sincere!

She’s got such a willing heart to do whatever needs to be done. Being on staff at Whisper Mountain is not for the faint of heart. The exhaustion is a real struggle. No joke! Jessie has been keeping up with all the things and smiling through it all!

Jessie has a great love for music! We’ve loved having her help lead worship with the teens each week.

Her humility, willingness to really listen to others and her love for Jesus have made her a great asset to our team this summer! She’s a friend to all on staff and we are stronger for that!

Thanks for all you’ve given up to come and serve with us this summer, Jessie! We’ve seen God use you and work in your life and we are grateful for your heart for Him!

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Author | Cassi        Photography | Adrienne and Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Carlo

The Italian you may mistaken for a 25 year old because he’s just that mature, but really he’s a GIT (guide in training)!! Welcome Carlo to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

Whisper Mountain Camp has known Carlo as a camper for a few years now so we were excited when he showed interest in being part of our summer staff!

Carlo is a natural born leader who’s shown great humility while serving as a GIT and shadowing our Guides. It’s not always easy to let others lead when it’s in your DNA to do so, but we’ve seen him handle this with grace.

He’s the perfect blend of nerdy and cool — you can’t help but like the guy!

He has a way of questioning or pushing issues in a way that challenges or sort of wakes people up who’ve become comfortable or lackadaisical in certain things. Carlo cares about living sincerely and authentically and his willingness to help others around him do the same is appreciated — at least eventually!! (ha!)

Our team is definitely stronger with him on it! We are thankful for the way God has been shaping and leading Carlo and that we get to be a small part of that story!

Carlo, thank you for choosing to spend your summer at Whisper Mountain! We are thankful to have your Italian blood walking this property!!! No, really, we are so thankful for what you bring to the team!

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Author | Cassi    Photography | Adrienne and Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Ethan

It’s his birthday! It’s his birthday! Party on now! Party on now! HEYYYYYYY!!
How fun to have Ethan on our Awesomeness Takes the Stage on his birthday!

We think Ethan is worth celebrating for many reasons, but we just love that he is equal parts goofball and man of God! We loved having him on staff last year and are thankful to have him again this year as a Guide again!

We’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again! Getting to watch our summer staff grow through the years is one of the highlights of being in camp ministry! Ethan is no exception — we’ve really seen Ethan grow in his leadership while serving with us at camp!

Since we’ve known him, he’s always been a man of character, but we see him jumping to new heights as he strives to walk more and more closely to Jesus! He’s often caught helping out with forgotten or undesirable jobs, he’s quick to connect with campers that might be on the outskirts of the crowd, and he exudes hospitality by helping all the people feel right at home with him.

He is fantastic at making conversation with anyone, he makes amazing lattes and sincerely cares about the people he’s around!

Ethan, thank you for serving with us, for allowing God to have His way in your life and for helping add such strength to the team this year! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

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Author + Photography | Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Lexi

Fun and Sass dressed in a country accent — that’s our girl Lexi! Welcome her to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage, won’t you?!

Lexi loooooves to talk which makes her great at connecting with people! She’s got a huge heart for people in general which translates to all the people want to be her frand! Her balance of talking and listening to people is quite remarkable and unusual!

Before Lexi was a Guide, she was a camper and a week long volunteer! Her heart to serve in any capacity stood out to us way back then! It was a joy to have her come and be a part of things! We kinda feel the same this summer!

Lexi is bold whether speaking the truth in love or getting done what needs doing or being so sure of who she is in Jesus that nothing holds her back. It’s refreshing and beautiful! She doesn’t shy away from being in the middle of someone’s mess with them and offering them hope along the way!

Lexi, we are completely thankful you are here with us serving, smiling, and sassing, as the need calls for! May God continue His good work in you for His glory alone!

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Author + Photography | Cassi

 

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Alex

Whhhhhhaaaat a Whhhhhomannnn! Alex Davis — you need to know her! Welcome to Awesomeness Takes the Stage!

The girl who is always smiling, always asking engaging questions, always there to lighten the atmosphere.

She delights in carrying other people’s loads, encouraging the struggler and being present with people in a way that makes them feel safe with her! You guys, people need this, am I right?!

I mean, look at the shenanigans she’s willing to get into to help her people!!!! 😂 (this was Ellie’s car — no one was breaking any laws here!!!)

People respond to life in all different ways. Alex has allowed God to heal and lead her through life in a way that makes her simply glow with joy for Him! She’s a delight and we are so thankful to have her serving with us this summer!

Alex, receive this — you are beautiful! Keep shining Jesus to all those around you! Whisper Mountain wouldn’t be the same this summer without you — we are so thankful for you and excited to continue to see God work in your life this summer!

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Author + Photography | Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Ellie

She’s a delight. She’s fun. She’s got some moves. She’s in love with Jesus. She’s ELLIE! Welcome her to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today, will you?!

We were so thankful when we heard Ellie wanted to come back as a Guide this summer! We loved having her last year! She’s got the sweetest demeanor about her. I haven’t met a person yet that doesn’t love her!

Her excitement to serve is contagious and she never displays an attitude other than, “I’d love to!” She bubbles with joy — she’s refreshing to all who are around her!

And she’s pretty great about making people feel at home that might not otherwise feel that! Which is perfect for campers getting to spend the week with her. Ellie makes people feel special because she has the filter of Christ for all things in life.

Ellie, thank you for coming back and for spending your life pointing people to Jesus! We are all encouraged by your living!

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Author | Cassi     Photography | Adrienne + Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Adrienne

Have you ever been walking along with your arms so full you’re about to drop everything AND you have to get a door open? You’re struggling, struggling and then — praise the Lord — someone shows up just as your arms are about to give out and drop it all; and that someone not only opens the door for you but takes the heaviest load out of your arms too. The biggest wave of relief and ginormous amounts of gratitude wash over you and bubble out of you and you get reminded that everything’s going to be okay! Do you know what I’m talking about? That’s Adrienne Brand for me (Cassi)! Let’s welcome her to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

Adrienne is our camp’s photographer this summer, although she also wears a partial guide hat as well! Have you been seeing some of her pictures on Instagram or Facebook?! She’s capturing the story of camp so so well! Ahh, I’m just so thankful!

Adrienne brings much more to the proverbial table than her camera though! She’s a willing servant, a listening friend, and an encouraging role model to these campers coming through the gates and the staff she’s living with all summer!

She is quiet in her approach to connection but gives the touch of sincerity and kindness that really makes people feel seen and heard. And she likes to laugh! Getting to see God use Adrienne’s gifts and grow her in new ways — it’s a privilege to see!

Thank you, Adrienne, for giving your summer to serve and capture the power of camp with your lens and for being here with us! We are all pretty thankful to have you on the team this year! (But I don’t think anyone appreciates you as much as I do 😉 !)

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Author + Photography | Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Chaz

We are kicking off this summer’s Awesomeness Takes the Stage today! In case you are unfamiliar with this, we like to spotlight each of our staff to help you get to know them a little better! We get to see how awesome they are every single day, but you need to know too! So let’s dive in with Chaz Grant!

Like almost all our other staff, he started at Whisper Mountain as a camper! The top 3 things that come to mind when I think of Chaz: initiative, trustworthy, invader of personal bubbles. We know we can fully depend on Chaz for whatever comes up.

We have had Chaz on our team for the past four years! His first year with us on staff was as a GIT — a Guide In Training! We were super impressed with his initiative and willingness to do whatever needed to be done. He continues to excel at both! Now he serves as Lead Guide, helping to lead the staff and make all the things run smoothly for the campers! He does so with such ease, knowing the role like the back of his hand, but still wearing an attitude of service and joy.

Even though he enjoys invading people’s personal bubbles, his sincere care for people is one way he really shines His love for Jesus.

We are thankful for the front row seat we’ve had getting to see God grow Chaz over these last four years. We are completely thankful to have Chaz serving with us again this summer! He is one of the manly’s on campus that gives us hope for this generation of men entering the world!

Be that world changer, Chaz! We have loved getting to watch God grow you into a man who shares His love with this needy world! Thank you for being part of the WM Fam! 

[See his second year spotlight here! (sorry, we missed last year’s spotlights!)]

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Author | Cassi Werner  Pictures | Cassi + Adrienne