Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Selah

Here we are at our final Awesomeness Takes the Stage of 2019! And we are ending on a sweet note with Selah!

Selah was our unofficial official GIT (Guide in Training!). She’s a unique situation, not having graduated high school yet, which is usually a requirement! But seeing as she’s also Full Time Staff and is around all summer anyways, we made the exception!

If we gave out awards, we just might give the Most Improved Player award to Selah. She has grown by leaps and bounds this summer, overcoming personal fears and struggles and coming into herself a little more confidently! It’s been wonderful to see!

Selah is willing to work hard, has a sure-thing attitude and offers sweet encouragement to those she’s around!

She seems to not take herself too seriously as much (ie: embrace the clumsy and awkward and work with it!!!) and she’s gotten to see that all leadership isn’t front and center!

She’s proven to be a great asset to our team this summer and we are thankful she was willing to serve in the many ways GITs do (ie: hello water coolers!)!

Thank you, Selah, for allowing God’s light to leave a trail wherever you go! We appreciate you spending your summer serving with us!

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Author | Cassi      Photography | Adrienne + Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Marshall

It’s his birthday, it’s his birthday! The one and only Marshall Grant is on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

Marshall came first as a Guide in Training (GIT) but has now returned as one of our outstanding Guides! Marshall sure brings some life to any party! Well, adventuresome spirit if nothing else!

He’s got some nutty ways about him, but his heart is to live and love life and those in it! His thrill seeking, ahem, excuse me…cough…cough...his love for adventure in the great outdoors really knows no bounds. Calculated risk is a good thing, pushing yourself to see how far you can go is a good thing. Living this one adventure of life to the fullest is a good thing. Marshall embraces life.

And he’s great about doing the hard work first, and then playing second. He’s proven to be trustworthy on many different levels and is stepping into his role as Guide naturally and with confidence!

He’s showing himself to be a strong leader and role model and remains teachable through each new experience he’s been given! He’s a great friend and man chasing Jesus! And he’s always stretching, literally!!!!

Marshall, thanks for the laughs, adding fun to the crew and loving Jesus enough to serve teens this summer at camp! We are thankful for the time and energy you pour out to help make our team stronger!

AND HAPPPPPPYYYYY BIRRRRRRTTHHHHDAYYYYY!!!

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Author | Cassi        Photography | Adrienne + Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Isaac

From Sparky vest to Minion madness, seeing Isaac grow through the years has been fun! Welcome Isaac to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today, will you?!

My favorite thing about Isaac this year is the way he helps to engage reaction from the crowd for the staff leading up front! Whether it’s an “OOOh Yeeeaaah!” or a dramatic guffaw or laugh, he adds to the scene to help create a fun atmosphere! (Which means someone always laughs at Shaun’s jokes ;)!!!)

Isaac is quick to smile, always helping people feel welcome and inviting them into conversation. He’s a big encourager too!

He leads well, enjoys having theological conversations with anyone interested, and is careful to respect the person even if he disagrees with them. In it all, Isaac sincerely wants to help others walk nearer to Jesus. In the end, that’s all that matters!

His contemplative ways allow him to carefully consider what he means to say so when he speaks its with authentic sincerity and something worth hearing. He’s had a great energy about him this summer that adds to all the relationships he’s creating, whether it’s with staff or campers or their leaders!

Isaac, thank you for giving Whisper Mountain the chance to be part of your story! We are so thankful for all the ways you add to our team through your service and heart for Jesus!

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Author | Cassi      Photography | Adrienne + Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2017 | Isaac Harkness

We are in our final week with our summer staff! And there’s still a few of them you haven’t seen here yet! Tonight, I wanted to shine the Awesomeness takes the Stage spotlight on one of our Guides in Training (GIT), Isaac Harkness!

Isaac came to us highly recommended by another Guide. He’d never been to Whisper Mountain before as a camper, never even visited, but what a fantastic addition to our team!

While Isaac began his time with us more on the reserved side of things, we have enjoyed watching him sort of unfold and come alive in new ways! He connects well with campers and staff, he is quick to meet any need he sees and he has revived hope in us again that there are still respectful, young gentlemen still walking our planet!

Isaac helps articulate thoughtful conversation in our staff Bible studies, has the best laugh around, is a dancing machine, and walks with an integrity that raises the bar for those who are around him!

We are completely thankful to have had him serving with us this summer! He was someone we knew we could depend on with his conscientious ways and strive for excellence! His sincerity and genuine concern for others was invaluable to our team and the campers who came through our gates!

Isaac, thank you for coming to a place you didn’t know to serve a God who personally leads your way! Your bravery and desire to chase Him inspires us all!

 

[Author: Cassi | Photo Creds: Cassi, Casey, Chloe]

Awesomeness Takes the Stage >> Erin

The final 2016 Summer Staffer is on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today! Welcome Erin, if you will!

(Just to clarify the picture above — Erin was eating one of those delicious cookie stick things at the Dork Ball we have to kick off the summer! Sooooo, there’s that.)

As I feel like I have written throughout our whole Awesomeness Takes the Stage posts this summer, Erin was first a camper!

Holy smokes we have gotten to see Erin grow up! For around eight or so years, she has somehow been a part of Whisper Mountain! Being a local to Robbinsville, she has spent a lot of time with us through school or local community events, as a summer camper, and as a volunteer whenever we had need!

Seeing Erin go from sort of quiet and in the background to Lead Guide has been nothing short of God’s gracious and beautiful work in her life. He has clearly become her greatest joy in life which has made her confident to do what He keeps calling her to.

Seeing her exchange the brokenness in her life for the yolk of God’s peace and healing has been inspiring! He is shaping her into a virtuous woman who willingly carries the burdens of others so they too can know God’s freeing peace and ocean of love.

Watching her lead worship, teach and connect with campers makes us feel like proud parents in awe of the woman she is becoming. We couldn’t be more thankful for her being a part of our Whisper Mountain family for so long or more excited to see her growing as a strong leader for God’s glory!

Thank you Erin for serving with us this summer and being willing to be stretched through your role as Lead Guide! You have led well! We love you!

Awesomeness Takes the Stage >> Seth

You may not know it yet, but Seth is PRETTY awesome — welcome him to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today, will ya?!?!

Like so many staff before him, Seth was first a camper.

Watching him grow from camper to Lead Guide has been a pretty awesome thing to see. Seth’s leadership, this summer especially, has been a gift to Whisper Mountain, but also to those under him, whether they realize it or not! The humility he leads with, the sponge-like desire to continue to develop and grow, the willingness to do the hard thing if it’s the right thing are just a few of the ways we’ve seen him flourish.

Of course, every leader gets his face smeared in the mess of the thing he’s leading at some point along the way! While that can feel discouraging in the moment, in the long run, it’s just a few more rough edges shaved off the solid character being built! Seth has the proven character to show for it!

God has been leading, growing and prepping Seth for mission or pastoral ministry! His focus to follow God in this is quite frankly a refreshing thing to see! Leaders really are being raised to proclaim Christ to this generation. Doesn’t it sometimes feel too lost?! This right here, friends, is just one among many that God is calling forth to change the world for His glory! The reality that God is still actively working and moving through His people should be making us shout with joy and confidence in Him!

Seth, thank you for the years you’ve spent at Whisper Mountain Camp! It has been our pleasure to know you and be a very small part of your journey! May God continue to bless you and keep you as you continue to follow and Proclaim Him! We love you!

 

Awesomeness Takes the Stage >> Morgan

Morgan Goodson — friend, Guide, sassy commentator on life — is shining brightly today on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage!

Having first come as a camper, Morgan has now served as a Guide with us for two years! We have seen God at work in her life, stretching and challenging her, shaping her into the beautiful woman He’s created her to be. This journey, getting to see small glimpses of people’s becoming, is a favorite part of what we do here at Whisper Mountain.

For having such a quiet presence among the crowds, Morgans many faces are windows into her soul!! She’s equal parts sass and sweet, silly and serious! A lover of all things fun, Morgan enjoys being right there in the middle of the action! She has a sincere love for the campers that is expressed in the way she walks as a friend with them through the week.

We have seen Morgan continue to grow in confidence in her leadership skills as she continues to seek how God would have her spend her life! And we love how, even as she awaits God’s clear direction, she is pouring into others even beyond the summer camp season!

Morgan, thank you for serving with us this summer! We know God will continue to lead you and shape you as you continue to follow hard after Him!! And yay, Tegan likes you!!!! #lifegoals 😉

 

Awesomeness Takes the Stage >> Sam

Hey guys! Do you know Sam?!

If not, today’s your day to meet her as she’s the star on our Awesomeness Takes the Stage!

The things we love about Sam: Soccer Star (at CIU), outgoing personality making a person feel comfy with her, tender on the inside, fun on the out, hard working team player, and just down right enjoyable to hang with! Oh, and she loves Jesus!

She’s a friend you’d want to have in the tough times, but also that friend you’d wanna go have a carefree day with. She, like many before her, started her time with Whisper Mountain as a camper and has been a great first-time Guide for us!

She speaks her mind, but doesn’t allow differences to come between. She is a people girl after all! And Tegan loves her, which is saying a lot!! (nice photobomb from Kinsley!)

Her moods/exhaustion/struggles don’t hinder her from what needs to get done and in the end she’s always laughing! We like how God is shaping this girl for His glory and all the ways we’ve seen her grow this summer!

Sam, you may be tough on the outside, but we like how you’ve let your heart out while serving with us this summer! You’re beautiful! Thank you for being here!

Awesomeness Takes the Stage >> Natalie

Hey friends!!! Let’s welcome Natalie to our Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

This is Natalie’s first year as a Guide with us, but she has come as a camper for the past couple years! With her heart of compassion and fun loving spirit, Natalie offers great friendship to those campers coming through our gates!

Her love for punk rock, ukuleles, photography and living au naturale make up only a small part of who she is! Natalie is a natural born leader who never takes ideas as her own without first discovering what she personally believes. It’s been a good thing to see how God continues to fine tune and shape her through her role as a Guide.

Natalie can be pretty funny and has all manner of little sayings or movie quotes…

We are thankful for her willingness to come serve with us this summer and offer the campers a little bit more of Jesus, Natalie-style!

Thank you, Natalie, for being willing to serve with us this summer! May you continue to follow God’s path for your life and allow Him to have every nook and cranny of your person! He’s got good plans for you! 

Awesomeness Takes the Stage >> CJ

You won’t find two alike of this guy! He’s one unique feller! And we kinda like him! Meet CJ on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

He came as a camper several years ago and we couldn’t be more thankful he chose to serve with us as a Guide this summer! There are many faces to CJ. In short, he’s a coffee snob goofball who doesn’t wash his hair and who loves Jesus and wants others to know Him too!

He’s got quite a way of bringing people in and making them feel comfy and ready to laugh. He’s quite comfortable making people uncomfortable — which has its pros and cons! He pushes the mainstream ideas outside the box to make a person really consider his/her belief system. His ideas aren’t always agreed with, but that doesn’t keep him from spurring great discussions!

We’ve all been baffled by him many times over, but then again, it’s just CJ!!! While he is a true goofball, he knows when to get serious. When he sinks into the eternal and deep stuff, people seem to listen a little more. He has shared Jesus with words, craziness and with the love he willingly and openly shares with the people around him! His leadership is very appreciated, as is his heart to serve and proclaim Christ!

Thank you, CJ, for giving your summer to be part of our team! We wouldn’t be as strong without you, we wouldn’t laugh nearly as often, and Seth wouldn’t know what to do without all those cuddles (HAHAHAA)!