Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2017 | Hayden Swanger

Our final GIT on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage is Hayden Swanger!

Like many before him, Hayden was first a camper! Part of our vision at Whisper Mountain Camp is follow up discipleship well beyond the camp week with our campers. I recently learned that Hayden is one Shaun has poured into for several years now. Seeing God’s work in him from his 8th grade year until this year, his graduating year, has been super awesome to see!

Hayden’s ability to lead well, bring so much laughter to the table, and offer solid perspective in so many situations has made him such an asset to our team!

His heart for worship helped lead campers all summer long. His hard work ethic and willing attitude to just get the work done was beyond appreciated. His team player mentality strengthened each of us as we served together!

We are excited to continue to see how God uses and grows Hayden as he boldly follows Him in this next phase of his journey!

Thank you Hayden for giving your summer to Proclaim Christ and bring glory to Him through your serving! We love you!

 

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

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2017 | Kinsley

We thought it might be appropriate to greet today with another spotlight on our Awesomeness Takes the Stage! Kinsley is all smiles around Whisper Mountain Camp so let’s start this Tuesday with a smile, shall we?!

Kinsley is also one of our Guides in Training (GIT) this summer. Before you go romanticizing about how amazing it must be for a person to come to Whisper Mountain Camp and be a GIT, it should be known that the GITs do all the grunt work for the team! And they all have done a great job keeping a positive attitude in the midst of the grunt! Kinsley included!

Kinsley laughs about nothing, laughs when it’s awkward, laughs when there’s jokes — she just generally laughs a lot! Which as you can imagine is pretty fun to be around.

Beyond all the laughing, however, is a girl with a heart to make Jesus famous! She has been brave in facing uncomfortable things and pushed herself to grow through challenging circumstances. Having her for this second year on our summer staff team has only made us stronger!

When we talk about having a caring staff, it’s people like Kinsley who help make that claim true! We have loved seeing her grow as a person and a disciple of Christ! We can’t wait to see how He continues to lead her as she heads to college!

Kinsley, thank you for spending your summer doing hard things like serving with us at camp! Your light and love are changing the world!

 

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

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 2017 | Leah Gibson

Lights! Shine the Lights! Leah Gibson is on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

Leah has come to Whisper Mountain Camp for several years as a camper or leader with her youth group! But this is the first year she is a WM Guide! And we couldn’t be happier! She’s perfect amounts of quirky and fun and adorable!

But more than all that she’s a strong servant leader, notoriously dependable and trustworthy and constantly making people laugh! She connects with and leads our campers well and pushes through all the exhaustion to do what needs doing!

I’m inspired by the way she doesn’t take herself too seriously, but laughs instead! She enjoys the ones she’s with and makes the best of each circumstance she finds herself in! We are pretty grateful for the strength Leah adds to our summer team!

Thank you, Leah, for coming to serve with us this summer! We wouldn’t be the same without you! You are a delight! Keep shining!

 

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

 

 

Summer 2017 | Berry’s Grove & Robbinsville Locals

Being from similar small town living and quieter in nature helped our two groups meld into one this past week! Berry’s Grove and Robbinsville locals were a great fit!

At the end of the day, the adventure (whether scary or exhilarating) and fun, the teachable moments and Gospel truth all hit us in personal ways. We find ourselves stretched and growing when we least expect it! These teens encountered moments like these! We pray they are better for it!

Click the picture below to catch a glimpse of their week with us!

Thank you Berry’s Grove for entrusting your teens to us for the week! We pray God continues His work in you even when you go home! Robbinsville Locals, thanks for trusting us and coming to be a part of Summer 2017! Keep chasing Jesus!

See more of their week on our instagram feed using the hashtags #robbinsvillelocalsatwm and #berrysgrove

[Author + Photo Creds: Cassi | Video Creds: Christian Miller | Video Content Creds: Emilie, Chloe, Casey ]

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2017 | Morgan Goodson

You guys, we only have a short of time left to put all the staff on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage this summer! So let’s keep it rolling with Morgan Goodson!

Morgs (previously spotlighted here and here!), like many others before her, was first a camper! This is her third summer serving with us as a Guide!

Seeing Morgan grow through the years has been a beautiful thing! Growth is hard, people, but she is faithful to following hard after Jesus and He’s weaving a beautiful story with her! We are thankful for the front row seat and for the inspiration she is!

Morgan is the girl who’s quietly in the middle of the action, but very good at seeing those people who might be getting missed in the crowd, at offering her peanut gallery commentary and making those she’s with feel seen and heard! If she’s not hugging someone, she’s listening. If she’s not listening she’s making them laugh!

Morgs, we look forward to seeing how God molds and shapes you as you keep following Him in this next step of your journey! We are thankful to have you on the team this summer!

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

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2017 | Sam Wammock

Have you been following our Awesomeness Takes the Stage introductions? Today is your lucky day because you get to meet Sam Wammock!

Sam started serving with us last year (check out last year’s spotlight here!), but was a camper for a few years before that! Seeing her growth over these years has been beautiful!

Not only does she look like the blonde version of Brave (see archery picture above!!), but she has displayed great bravery on many levels this summer! She’s stepped up in leadership in many ways and has a willingness to do things outside her comfort zone (i.e.: high ropes set up!). She’s nailing it all!

She’s a friend to all, being so very willing to carry the hard things and laugh off the crazy things. She’s reliable and fun and you know just where you stand with her! She helps others rise to the occasion, making them a stronger version of themselves!

Sam, we can’t thank you enough for allowing God to use you, grow you and shine through you while you serve with us! Thanks for being here this summer!

[Author: Cassi | Photo Creds: Cassi & Casey]

Summer 2017 | Church at Charlotte MS

We had a complete Middle School takeover last week when Church at Charlotte arrived at Whisper Mountain!

People are afraid of middle schoolers, and we can understand that, but this crowd — they are great! They have hearts of gold and are struggling well through all the transitions they are experiencing in life! They make life a little more fun! Click the picture below to watch the video about more of their week with us!

Thanks for coming CAC! You’ll change the world as you continue to follow Jesus!

(We’ve seen evidence of your prayers, Warriors — thanks for praying!)

[Author + Photo Creds: Cassi | Video Creds: Christian Miller]

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2017 | Christian Miller

Hello, Friends!! Do you have a minute to get to know Christian Miller today on our Awesomeness Takes the Stage! He’s the last of our Media Collective Team!

Christian is a big guy with a big passion for videography/photography! He takes his work seriously and uses his creativity and mad skillz to capture stories to bless others! Which kinda comes in handy at camp, right?!

He’s a one on one kinda fella, but doesn’t mind shouting random things at random times within large groups of people! Always keeping us on our toes, this one!

I’ve seen Christian grow this summer and it’s been great to see him stretch himself more and more out from behind the camera to connect with campers.

He’s done a great job compiling all the photos and videos from the other media team members and putting together each week’s videos! Thanks for serving with us this summer, Christian! And thanks for having a laugh that is contagious!

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

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2017 | Chloe Headings

You guys met Casey, right? Continuing on with the introductions of our Media Collective team, I bring you Chloe Headings!

It doesn’t matter that Chloe is the youngest member on our entire summer staff or that she traveled the second furthest to serve with us this summer (hello Michigan!) or that she is confused by the difference between a sweater and a sweatshirt. What matters is that Chloe is excited about life and loves to share it with the people around her.

Chloe handles difficulties with grace, seeks to keep the team strong and to remain positive no matter what is going on around her. Her go-getter attitude is appreciated around these parts and she’s proven herself reliable on many occasions.

With a willingness to learn and try new things and challenge herself in new ways, Chloe is a huge asset to our Media Co.

Thanks for coming all this way to serve with us, Chloe! We love having your fun little self with us this summer!

[Author: Cassi | Photo Creds: Cassi, ]