Make a Difference | Adopt-A-Staff

We can never underestimate the power of encouragement. Whether it’s a simple text, a note in the mail, a care package with some favorite things, or just knowing we are being prayed for, being uplifted, encouraged, boosted to keep going literally changes everything.

We want to invite you to change one life this summer through your encouragement. Will you Adopt-A-Staff? Will you encourage one summer staff as they run hard and give all they’ve got to Proclaim Christ to teens?

Yes, I’ll Adopt!

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We wanted to share Megan’s Experience with you:

“As a lover of all things snail mail related, Adopt-A-Staff is one of my favorite ways to serve Whisper Mountain and was a huge encouragement to me when I was on staff. Adopt-A-Staff, for those who don’t know, is when someone not at Whisper Mountain agrees to come along side one summer staff to encourage and support them through prayer and mailings for the summer.

Whisper Mountain does a fabulous job passing along info to you on your staff member. They provide info on what the staff needs prayer for and things like favorite candy, color and beverage, what they like to do with their free time, what gift cards might be helpful and so on. It really helps you get to know them even if you’ve never met them. It also helps give you ideas for things you could mail them in a care package.

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Now this may be where some of you jump ship, but please hear me out. A care package can be super clever, funny, themed and over the top but it can also be just as encouraging if it’s not. Also every time you send something it doesn’t have to be a full care package (but please do send at least one during the summer).

Something as simple as a card saying “I’m praying for you” or a card with an encouraging verse can be just what we need to pick us up and push us through the week. Heck, sometimes just being handed mail puts a smile on our face before we even open it. The idea that someone cares, someone is thinking and praying for you , someone took the time to do something for you means more than you can imagine when you are pouring yourself out all week. It really changes things. 

Personally, I love sending an over the top themed care package. It’s just in me to be creative. If you decide to Adopt-A-Staff and want to do an over the top package, but you aren’t the creative type, you can search google – the ideas are endless. If over the top isn’t in your wheel house please, please, please still adopt.

During my summer of being adopted, one of the most meaningful and encouraging things I received was a card with a short note reminding me they were praying for me and a little business size Bible verse card. It really helped me refocus and push me through a hard week.

When you Adopt-A-Staff, God sized things happen, I promise! You think, “Oh, I’ll just send this,” and God says, “Oh, I’ll deliver that at just the right moment.” You think, “Oh, this candy isn’t much,” but then a camper sees our favorite candy you sent and it’s their favorite candy and it helps us make a connection. Something so simple that you forget the moment you sent it may be something we hold on to for months or years.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here are a few things other summer staff have said they found encouraging:

“… just knowing they were praying for me was huge.” 

“…the fact that they checked in via text and asked what I needed prayer for.”

“…just a little something (whether it be stickers, snacks or whatever) and a note can make your day receiving something in the mail.”

“… when my adopt-a-staff got me gifts that were not on my questionnaire. It showed a ton of effort and love.”

“…receiving a written out prayer. It took it a step beyond just saying they are praying for me.”

Alright, that’s all I have for you! Thanks for reading. Now please, go be an encourager and ADOPT!!

I Want To Adopt A Summer Staff

Life | When God Feels Absent

by Selah Werner

Hey guys!
So today I want to share something that has been popping up a lot lately, and something I personally need reminding of myself.

I have reached the point in my life where I am faced with the “what’s next” question. I need to decide where I want to go and what I want to do after I graduate high school. This feels so daunting and overwhelming. I sometimes feel like I’m walking in the dark or in fog and I can’t really see what’s in front of me. I’ve been reminded recently that the waiting is an important part of the process and can actually sometimes feel exciting!

Waiting is not my most favorite thing to do. In fact, I can be quite impatient in life. There’s a big part of me that wants the frustrating things fixed, the questions answered, the chaotic things quieted. But really, what’s the fun in just arriving at something without the journey? The adventure is where it’s at, so I’m told 😂.

I think God likes the adventure part because it stretches and pushes us to trust Him like never before. The adventure tends to pull us in close to Him and allows us to see Him work. Where will He take us next?

I love when people tell their stories of life. Taking a look back at our story helps us see a little better just what God was doing, how He perfectly timed everything and arranged things better than we could have ever done ourselves. During the waiting process, God can feel absent. It’s hard connecting with him during this time, but I wonder if by trusting that He’s present when He doesn’t feel like it causes us to actually exercise our faith in the best of ways. I know He really is there and has control of all the things. Sometimes we just need reminded.

Psalm 62 demonstrates this well. Verse one and verse 5 are similar:

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. (v1)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.” (v5)

Isn’t it interesting how verse one says, “My soul waits in silence”, while verse five says, “Oh my soul, wait in silence”? It’s that reminding of, “Okay, Self, keep waiting because God really is my hope and salvation.” Just as David reminds us all throughout the Psalms, we can have peace knowing “that the power belongs to God (v11).” We can overflow with peace and find patience to wait in silence when we remember who He is. (see also Job 40) The scary trek in the dark then becomes a hope-filled adventure!

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Author | Selah Werner    Photography | Cassi

Being a Foodie is Super Spiritual

Written by Patti Paul

Food. I must confess, I think about food much more than I’d prefer. Being the WM Head Cook is honestly not my favorite WM task, however, I recognize the importance of food for our guests as it provides daily nourishment and represents friendship, community and welcome.  If you’ve been to Whisper Mountain maybe you’ve experienced the “voted #1 favorite meal” – Poppyseed Chicken.  However you may prefer the Grilled Pork Chops or the fun Fiesta Bowl! Yum! So, tell me, what is your favorite food at WM, or anywhere?

In the Gospels, food is mentioned about 90 times. Luke’s gospel is full of stories of Jesus eating with people. When God created humans He articulated the human body to require the need of food for energy,  growth, repair, and warmth.  Lack of proper daily nutrients will cause malnutrition and will lead to a variety of health problems and ultimate death.

The love of food is universal!  In fact, did you know that Americans spend more than $60 billion annually on nutrition and weight loss products? In the past 12 years, over 5,000 publishers produced 200,000 cookbooks. There’s also a plethora of food information available on social media and tv chefs. The human race seems obsessed with food and over indulging in it.  In the end, most nutritionists agree that eating a daily, balanced diet of small portions of healthy food will provide ample energy, keep off those extra pounds, and prevent many lifelong diseases.

On occasion, Marty and I have the privilege of traveling on behalf of camp ministry.  We have found it to be true, that whenever we meet up with friends of the ministry, both new or old, our time is automatically planned around a table surrounded by delicious food, snacks, or dessert. Very sweet fellowship is automatically produced in this setting. Valued time spent together with others deepens our relationships together and gives us the encouragement we need as well.

Food connects people together with traditions, memorable moments of celebration, gatherings of family and friends, and turns strangers into friends all while sharing a meal and conversation. Knowing food was a daily requirement for man, Jesus used meals in his earthly ministry as an expression of grace, community, and His mission. He sought to save the lost and carry on a personal relationship with all, and He still does.

God’s Word feeds us spiritually, encourages, convicts, directs, and helps us grow to be more like Him. I truly believe that nourishing my spiritual health must be given even more importance than my daily food. Without Him I will be spiritually deprived, dried up and useless in the life He’s given me. I’m sure you relate. Many times busy life and interruptions can shortchange my daily quiet time with Him.   Growing in my spiritual relationship requires:

• regular scripture study
• communication with Him throughout my day
• keeping a short list of forgiveness of my faults
• and listening & looking for Him to reveal Himself to me in big and small ways.

I can tell the difference in the days I devote quality time of building my relationship with Him by my personal attitude, reactions to those I am in contact with and in my general well being.

Can I ask, how are you doing at making Him a priority in your daily walk? Here’s a couple places the Word uses food figuratively and practically:

• “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”  Psalm 34:8
• “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2
• “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matt 5:6
• “And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42

I sincerely hope you will practice enjoying God’s Word as much or more than the good food enjoyed in your daily living! Think of the satisfaction and joy you’ll experience if you do!

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Photography | Cassi Werner

Shoot Straight 2016

The weather couldn’t have been more gorgeous a couple weekends ago as we welcomed a small group of men to our Shoot Straight Retreat. Men came to Whisper Mountain to get away from their responsibilities for a while and to breathe slower and deeper with a little man time in the woods! Fathers and sons came together which made for an even more memorable time.

100 yard shoot was challenging and fun!

Pros and amateurs alike enjoyed the challenge of the 3D Archery Tourney!  Bears, turkey, deer, boar and a few other 3D animal targets could be found scattered throughout our woods awaiting the rounds of arrows heading for their kill zone! Some arrows met their mark, and well, some never did! But in the end, the getting away, the connecting and the encouragement made the weekend a success!

Here’s what one person said about the men’s weekend:

click to watch

We are already looking forward to next year! Mark your calendars for October 6-8, 2017! We hope to see you then, if not sooner!

 

3 ways to keep the flame bright

Hey young people!!

By now most of you are back to school and in a normal routine. I want to wish each and every one of you a great school year! As I have also returned to school myself there is one question I keep asking: how do I keep the fire or the “camp high” going?

Personally, it’s very easy to get busy with schoolwork + friends that I slowly but surely allow my flame to dwindle. When you don’t spend every day in an atmosphere where you are constantly surrounded by fellow Christians who want the same exact thing as you, it is easy to allow your flame from camp to be extinguished.

If this is you right now, does it make you any less of a Christian? Absolutely, NOT!! Jesus loves you right where you are at this very second. He doesn’t love some future or better version of yourself more than He loves you now. Jesus loves you as if you were the only person He created. The crazy thing is that He does that for ALL of us.

So with that in mind I want to offer 3 ways to help keep your flame burning bright for Jesus.

1)   Community - Community in the Christian life is vital. When God made Adam he saw he was lonely and needed a companion so he created Eve. We were made for companionship and community!! Otherwise, God would have left Adam to hang out with all the animals.

If you are not in a small group or some sort of gathering where you can go and just do life with other people, I would personally offer that you find one. If there isn’t one at your church and you want this, you can always start your own! Go for it!! God loves when His people gather together to talk about life and Him.

2)   Listen to the Word - If you go to church weekly but you find yourself wanting to hear more of the word, that’s GREAT! I like to get Podcasts of some well-known pastors and listen to what they have to say. This is a great tool to utilize.

3)   GET in the Word – Daily quiet + alone time with God is the most crucial and fundamental part to keep your fire burning bright. Just like you did at camp. It doesn’t mean you have to get up at 4 am and spend 3 hours praying and reading. If 30 minutes is all you can seem to do right now, that’s awesome! I promise you God LOVES those 30 minutes He gets to hang out with His Beloved child. 

I love you all!
In Christ,

Seth McClure

|Author >> Seth| ^^ |Photography >> Jamie + Charley| ^^ |Featured Groups >> 5 Stones Middle School + Hilton Head + Gateway|

a relevant voice | an interview

As teens and adults, we each struggle with insecurity on some level. Those of us who are Christ-followers have likely understood the truth that we are created wonderfully. But how many of us spend time wondering if this is really true. When circumstances, relationships, or every other outside influence seems to be screaming something different, it’s hard to cling to the truth of being of value. The voices we ultimately choose to listen to greatly impact our lives. Being a voice of encouragement and truth becomes vital.

Today I wanted to introduce you to three ladies who have found a relevant, Christ-centered way of being such a voice on the social media realms of Facebook and Instagram. Maybe you can be inspired to find your own way of reaching the world with some loving truth. Maybe you know someone who would benefit from hearing a voice of encouragement like this–hook them up!

 

 

 

#bicflawless | aka: BeYOUtiful in Christ

an interview 
with (the awesome) Kaleigh 

For those who may not be familiar with you, what exactly is #bicflawless?
#bicflawless is a ministry meant to encourage girls to embrace their beauty. It gives them the opportunity to recognize the way they were created: flawless.

Share with us a little peek into the people behind the scenes of #bicflawless.

Charley was the one who suggested we use Instagram and it has been a very good idea! She has been very helpful in keeping up with the Instagram posts. Since I know Charley has struggled with self image before, as she would tell you in her testimony, I thought she would be a very good role model for girls who struggle with this as well!

 

Chelsea-we all love her-She used to help a ton with Facebook, but I think she has been more involved lately with helping Charley keep up Instagram! I knew I could trust her to help and give wise advice as well. She has such a sweet spirit, I think it’s easy for girls to open up and share their struggles with her.

 

Where did the inspiration come from to reach girls with the countercultural truth of inner beauty?

As a girl, I understand the desire to feel beautiful. It’s hard when the world and media are constantly shoving lies in our faces about what the perfect body size or the perfect image should look like. When I was younger, I thought part of growing up meant my insecurities would go away, but they didn’t/don’t. While working at camp over the past two summers I got to read several prayers by young girls. I realized that the struggles they were going through stemmed from their insecurities. I wanted these girls to know, more than anything, that they weren’t alone. We all struggle with it, but there’s hope. There’s always hope. I wanted Beyoutiful in Christ to encourage girls to find their true beauty in the One who embraces them for all that they are.

Share some ways you’ve seen people impacted by what you’re doing.

I think because right now it’s just social media, I probably won’t ever see results, but that doesn’t stop me from doing it still. Megan sent us girls a package with t-shirts–that was SUPER
encouraging and I don’t really even know her.

What are some of your goals as you continue to share encouaragement through your social media outlets?
My biggest goal is that it doesn’t just stop at social media. My hope is that girls who view the page will be able to share with their friends how beautifully they were created. 🙂 I also have been given the opportunity to share this ministry with girls in a chaplain position at school. College girls struggle with self-image too 😉

Do you have any tips to offer others who may have a quiet desire to reach out to others in some way?
Do it. Do it. Do it. It’s not just enough to talk about it. Actions really do speak louder than words.

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Where to find #bicflawless | Instagram | Facebook | Buy a Shirt
(Just a few shirts remain if you are interested in spreading the message of beauty! I’ve heard a rumor they are wanting to offer hoodies next!)

{Note: All images used in today’s post were taken from the #bicflawless fb | ig pages!}

flying cars and other pursuits + [video]

For those who haven't been around here before, the folks at Whisper Mountain (and some awesome people walking Along the Trail with us) offer short video encouragements meant to spur you on in your own walk with Jesus! We all can use a little spurring on, right? The Trail Mix videos run about once a month, unless it's summer camp season; then you're lucky to hear from us at all as we run dog tired Proclaiming Jesus to a bunch of teenagers! Just wanted to fill you in!

I must admit, I was expecting to be flying in cars by now. Anyone else with that childhood thought? Obviously things don't happen like we hope, but life does happen. Boy does it! My turn came on the Trail Mix so today I'm sharing a little encouragement as we remain on the front-end of 2014! (from insecurity–it's out of focus and I was interrupted a bunch of times! so see Jesus!)

  

[if unable to view video, click here!]

Even as life happens, may we be found pursuing Jesus!

Trail Mix Episode 18 // thanksgiving

Marty is here with us today to share a super quick word of encouragement and gratitude with you as we begin this week of Thanksgiving celebrations!

 

 

{if unable to view above video, click here!}

Happy Monday, friends!

a board gathering

Hopping on a plane, loading up the bus, meeting halfway. However the method, the destination was the same: Whisper Mountain Youth Camp for the weekend!

(Most of) WM's Board of Directors spent the weekend with us a couple weeks ago. These guys offer passion, support, wisdom, encouragement and accountability to the ministry as a whole. Pulling together through the Word, catching some vision, playing outdoors: all of it made for a fantastic weekend!

Not a tour of the property takes place without an intentional stop at the pile of rocks we call our monument to the Lord. Each time we are able to proclaim and remember again the miracle of Whisper Mountain's beginnings, the strong arm of our God each step of the way, and the hope He leads us with daily. Doesn't matter how many times these guys have stood before it, remembering never gets old and always strengthens us to move forward.

With the addition of our newest board member, Dean (and Chris!) comes the addition of another rock to the monument. As is the custom, each board member selects a rock from around the property to add to the pile.

And we move forward by leaning in. Leaning in to our God and to each other. God's economy lends each person valuable, necessary and most fully alive in the serving!

Thank you to each one of our board members and their wives, pictured or not, for coming along side this ministry with your gifts and talents, but mostly with your passion and love for the Lord! You add to the strength of this ministry! We loved having those who could come for the weekend and look forward to next year's gathering!

 

Teen Perspective // Balancing school, sports and Jesus

Erin is sharing with us today! She’s a junior in high school and offers great perspective and encouragement, no matter our age! [Thanks for sharing your heart, Erin! You’re beautiful!]

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As I sit here, taking the part of my day I would usually be preparing for a volleyball game, I ponder the question at hand: How do I balance between school, sports and Jesus? I ask myself this question so frequently that it becomes more of a prayer than a routine. Obviously Jesus always comes first, right? I would like to say that’s ALWAYS the case, but sadly, it’s not. Teens, including myself, get side tracked SO easily. We get caught up in the excitement of school with friends, homework, sports, parents and jobs–the whole nine yards. The trouble is finding the time! We only have 24 hours in a day: take 8 for sleep, 7 for school, 2 for sports practice or game, up to 3 hours at work, and 1 on homework (two in my case). That only leaves 3 hours left in the whole day for 2 meals and to spend time with God. That’s not including extra clubs and activities expected out of honor students. That’s crazy! How could anyone expect that much out of a sixteen year old?!

Well, in my case, every day is different. I never know what the day holds for me. I try to find practical ways to remind me of my priorities. I always start the day with a Bible verse, taking the time to reflect on what God is trying to tell me and how I can apply it to the day ahead. Smiling at people down the hallway, talking to someone new, a random act of kindness–school might be the best place to show God’s love. It also might be the hardest. I know from experience, trying to talk to someone who isn’t in your “clique” is not only intimidating, it’s just not something anyone wants to do. However, as followers of Christ, shouldn’t we strive to be more Christ-like? Isn’t that what Christ did, spending time with the hated and mistreated, showing them LOVE? That’s a part of our mission, MY mission.

It’s a daily struggle to treat everyone the same and to respond to them in love. Although it’s not my love, it’s Christ’s and we need not show it only in school, but in sports too. I can’t express how hard it is to love others in the heat of a driven game. With all eyes on you, how you react in a game reflects who you are. If you are a representative of Christ, then what you do and how you act reflects HIM. In my situation, my prayer lately has been to give 100 percent in everything, and leave the rest to God. To be honest, it works! To my amazement, the first game I played after I prayed that I had no regrets. I kept a positive attitude and I played great! The power of prayer is the thing that boggles my mind.

However, when everything is going in a positive direction, it can easily change. I never thought anything bad would happen this season, and the thought really never sank in until I was sitting in the emergency room getting told I fractured my foot. My thought process was so scattered, I didn’t know whether I was more upset that I was hurt or the fact I wouldn’t get to finish what I had worked so hard for all summer. Then on the ride home, I realized I might have something great in store while not being able to finish the second half of my volleyball season. With some free time on MY hands, God could use HIS to mold me into something I could never become while playing volleyball. 

I answer the question, “How do you balance school, sports and Jesus?” with two words: I don’t. The definition of “balance” is “an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain up right and steady.” That is as far from my life as it gets! Nothing gets the same amount of time in my life. I fall apart. I get overwhelmed too easily. I have the attention span of about five seconds. I think about sports during class. I stay up way too late doing homework. I procrastinate everything. I try to do too many things at once.

With all this jumbled mess I call my life, I wouldn’t really say I balance anything. Yet, God gives me the grace to continue, and when my eyes are on Him, He makes my crazy schedule possible.