the three percent & the power of camp

The guys came home from their regional camp conference last week with a startling stat:

Three percent — read 3% — of teens in America today believe in Christian tenants.

Do you feel the shock I felt when I heard this? Alarming when we as Christians realize how we've failed to share the light within our families, workplaces and communities. While it's true that "the times" must get worse before our wait for Jesus is over, it's equally true that we have many to be reaching in the wait. Our "Africa" is outside our front doors. 

Camp ministry has the awesome opportunity to use the elements of adventure and undistracted quiet for teens to discover the hope of Jesus. A short video was put together by 3CA on the power of camp! Check it out:

 

[if unable to view the above video, click here]

I share this to awaken us, but also to say thank you to many of you for seeing the value of the ministry we do. We value your support and shared passion to see teens find Jesus! 

I also share this to encourage us to be brave enough to make a difference in the world around us. Our time and efforts investing in others with God's truth are not only vital but a worthy spending of the time we've been given.

in the land of wild horses

In the land where wild horses stampede across the sky,

and faithful hearts stroll the earth

there was a window. Peering through the window, wearied hearts perceived the intimate touch of a present God. The breath of life was breathed into them. 

The beauty of a Savior infused their hearts.

<<<***>>>

Shaun and I are grateful for our weekend with some of our friends and financial supporters in Nashville. We received such encouragement through their fellowship and by way of their pastor on Sunday morning…God touched our hearts personally. What more could we hope for?!

Then on top of it, we were blessed with TP

…this is a timely gift, folks, as there's one roll on the shelf . You have no idea how big the little things are!

May God's personal touch fall obviously on your day!

week in review // new covenant

// the fun //

// the adventure //

// the point //

Teens of New Covenant in Georgia had a great week of fun and adventure, but many found the quiet in nature, the time away from their noise and the opportunity to hear God whisper to be both refreshing and life changing! A couple more were added to God's family, others were spurred on in their walk with him, still others left desiring more of God! Of course our awesome staff left their mark as well! Check out Whisper Mountain's fb group page…lots of convo going on there from this group!!

Happy Monday to you, friends!

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!

Bigger than we Imagined!

    I find this pattern crazy: we pray~God moves~we're surprised…by how extravagantly He does so! Pretty silly, really! Nonetheless (love that word!) that's how we tend to operate!  Tonight was one of those times for us as staff!  We have covered this week in prayer (as I know many of you are doing…thx) and continue to do so at every turn, yet we found ourselves delightfully surprised tonight at the evidence of God's powerful work in the lives of those with us this week, even those among our staff!Tonight's worship, teaching and footwash went further than anyone expected.  The tears, the encouragement, the steps toward group unity, the brokenness that began to take place in lives…all this, to the extent that it went, surprised and overwhelmed each of us in a way that only God can do!

  

  

    I love this God we worship!

One last thought about it all…it's only Wednesday! 

Bigger than we Imagined!

    I find this pattern crazy: we pray~God moves~we're surprised…by how extravagantly He does so! Pretty silly, really! Nonetheless (love that word!) that's how we tend to operate!  Tonight was one of those times for us as staff!  We have covered this week in prayer (as I know many of you are doing…thx) and continue to do so at every turn, yet we found ourselves delightfully surprised tonight at the evidence of God's powerful work in the lives of those with us this week, even those among our staff!Tonight's worship, teaching and footwash went further than anyone expected.  The tears, the encouragement, the steps toward group unity, the brokenness that began to take place in lives…all this, to the extent that it went, surprised and overwhelmed each of us in a way that only God can do!

  

  

    I love this God we worship!

One last thought about it all…it's only Wednesday! 

Let’s Get Visible!

This is just a little design I pulled together for a T-shirt for our upcoming teen girl's retreat.  

I am super excited about the printers of this shirt!  Someone I haven't seen or talked to in years has now become one of God's kids.  He and his buddy have started a company called Visible Christian. His company and our ministry have been the connection that started communication again! As I think about his life, (his hardships, his choices, his search) I can't help but be amazed at God's patience with us, His heart-healing love and forgiveness, His way of weaving our messes into beautiful tapestries!  It's just so amazing!  

Well, anyways, you can read their story and check out the goods on their website. At some point in our near future we are getting hooked up with a program that will allow you to enter a code when you purchase something off their site and money will be given to Whisper Mountain!  Woo-Hoo!  So check them out! But wait to buy until you get the code:)!

oh, and don't you love how we are all tailored made?!

Willing & Generous

Barring the details…God hugged us the other day when we got an email asking if we could use a specific kind of equipment that was listed on our Projects & Needs List. Brand new, in the box, with the accessories included!  (This piece of equipment is a much needed item as it will enhance all our programming at camp.)  Can we use it?  Ummmm……YES!

These out-of-the-blue gifts really put a skip in our step as we go about our ministry here. We really felt the need for this by summer, especially, though spring would be perfect, but the money was the kicker (as usual!). And then God…put us on the heart of a willing man!

The most generous people are often full of humility and no desire for recognition (thus the secrecy here!).  They feel they have hardly anything to give, and what they do give really isn't a big deal.  Let me just this…to the receiver…it's a big deal, no matter what it is! 

When everyone does just a little, God's plan is being accomplished. He likes the idea of TEAM. He likes to pull in as many as possible, each doing their small part.  I have found God to be quite economical in all He does!

So we go about our day today grateful, encouraged, excited, and hopeful!

God cares for the details in our lives.  I love that about Him!

monday meeting

   I came to the office today after a nice little break, to find my new Layers magazine (exciting!) among other things that need my attention!  Mondays are days for us camp staff to regroup, plan out the week and spend time praying together for this ministry and the individuals that are somehow involved with us.  We have a board:  As people share their needs with us, we write them up on our board and become intentional in remembering them in prayer, together and on our own! Today we were going through the list and found that prayers have been answered!  How encouraging to realize the involvement of God in each situation, to remember again that God hears us when we call to Him…really, He's waiting for us to call to Him!   At Whisper Mountain, we have people standing by to take your requests…let us know how we can pray for you!