Shaun’s Top 5 List :: #1

I know, I know…you haven't gotten any sleep all weekend because you were just dying to know what Shaun's #1 favorite thing about working at camp is! (hee-hee!) Plan to sleep tonight! (Drumroll please)

Without further delay, Shaun's #1 reason why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream:

#1: pay day is big on the last night of camp On the last night of camp everyone gathers around the campfire one last time. In the light of the flickering flames, hearts are opened in a way that isn't done in everyday life. Teenagers take the time to offer verbal encouragements to one another. They pray for each other. They pray for their youth pastor. Teenagers, and at times their leaders, become raw, spilling from their hearts all God is doing in them, all He is calling them to, all they hope to apply to their walking through life with Him.  Shaun's payday, as he calls it, is knowing that all the energy, lack of sleep, time and heart that is poured out throughout the week is worth it when the evidence of God whispering into lives is seen. This is the heartbeat of camp, the very life of the ministry…God encountering His people so they will know Him, they will know peace, new life, restoration and hope.  Now, that's a beautiful thing!

 

**Note: If you are just joining today, you can go here, here, here, and here to learn about the other items on Shaun's Top 5 Countdown on why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream!

Shaun’s Top 5 List :: #2

Why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream for Shaun: #2 investment in campers!

Along with investment in summer staff as I mentioned yesterday, is his love of relationship building with campers. May seem obvious…we are in camp ministry!! But really!  Shaun lives for the moments that can be teachable, that can make spiritual truths make more sense.  I've been married to the man for over 12 years now and the times that I have seen him most joyful, most full of life, is when he is with teens, loving them with God's love. He may not be the best at what he wants to be the best at, but he sure knows how to love teens!  Isn't that what it's all about?

Shaun’s Top 5 List :: #3

We are back to Shaun's countdown of why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream…

#3: summer staff relationships

Developing leaders for the future is an exciting aspect of ministry for Shaun!With the coming of summer camp is the coming of summer staff! Helping to train and then oversee summer staff is one of Shaun's roles at camp!  For a man who loves to invest in others so that they will invest in others (multiplication pyramid!), this is a beautiful work to be a part of! Sure he loves the goofing off, the dramas and rules videos.  

 But walking with the staff through their spiritual discovery, helping to equip them for ministry, observing them spiritually invest in others and keep up that investment even after the campers have gone home…that's where the energy, the joy, the reward of ministry is found! 

Two things campers remember from camp: the food and the staff!  Building into the upcoming leaders is a beautiful investment.  Oh, and while we are on the subject…if you know anyone (or you yourself!) that would like to be on our summer staff, have them contact us. (Our information will soon be on the web!)  Our hunt for quality people with a love for God and people is about to begin! 

Shaun’s Top 5 List :: #4

Carrying on from yesterday with Shaun's countdown of why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream… 

#4: playing with fire is a common occurrence

With the clearing of the trails always comes a burn pile, with the arrival of campers always comes a campfire! Building a fire might take him back to his Tee-Pee Camp days as a kid, it might simply intrigue him to build something so powerful, but mostly, what Shaun loves about a campfire is the spiritual parallels that can be drawn from a fire.  There are many, but one of his favorites is the idea of keeping our fire burning by avoiding the water of the world…those things that try to quench our love and spiritual fervor for the Lord. Amazing how just a little water can squelch the biggest fire.

Mostly though, he's just a pyro!

Shaun’s Top 5 List :: #5

 This week we are taking a little jaunt down the trail to discover Shaun's Top 5 Reasons why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream!  

Let the countdown begin!

#5: He loves the uniform! The rubber boots, the goggles, the earmuffs…all are signs that he is involved in some sort of outside work. He loves the days he can clear some hiking trails. It's the kind of job you can start, see progression pretty quickly, then stand back and see an accomplishment!  Knowing that he is picking up sticks for others to enjoy the beauty (and safety) of the trail is quite gratifying, not only for Shaun, but all the guys on staff!
Next time (or for the first time) you come around to Whisper Mountain, take a path, enjoy the beauty and quiet of the trail. It's been prepared just for you!