Gone Rogue

When a person makes a decision for Christ, he or she also makes a decision to turn away from the world, to Go Rogue.

I wanna talk about a different point of view, the point of me. I was a half-in, half-out Christian living in Godly moments and then slipping back into my worldly and fleshy behaviors. I had gone rogue on God, not rogue with Him. I was “lukewarm” and constantly felt torn between who I wanted to be and who the Lord wanted me to be.

This summer, Jesus pried my sin-filled eyes open, helping me see my sinful nature and just how much I needed to change. He helped me see the need to stay away from temptations and use His tools to remove stumbling blocks from my path. I realized what it meant to go fully, totally, completely rogue for the One who made me. I want to show Jesus that I want His will for my life and that I love Him. That I didn’t/don’t want a worldly lifestyle, I want Him. I find it difficult to leave a whole life behind, especially when the enemy is always dragging me down, making me believe I need certain things when they have no use. This causes me to lose focus and every one of my priorities shifts. Reading my Bible slides down to the bottom, praying feels like a chore, speaking becomes less and less edifying, and eventually I don’t even know what it means to be a Christian. Slipping so many times makes it easy to give up.

That’s the thing though, I gave up. God didn’t. I was sure that God was done with me, tired of my habitual sin and one apology after another… He wasn’t. Now don’t get me wrong He was for sure tired of the sin, but not me. He had/has a plan for me, He gave me a job at this camp called Whisper Mountain. He surrounded me with these Godly people who did not judge me for having sin. Instead, they encouraged me to confess it, to no longer allow it to hold power over me. To not let it hold me back. They texted me daily and told me to read my Bible. I felt comfortable asking for prayer about whatever I was going through, and they reciprocated. God used these people to teach me how to Go Rogue for God not from God. They taught me how to live out my faith, to study the Word, and to pray without ceasing. For all these things I am eternally grateful to God and them. 

Having said all this, my question to you is simple, yet hard to swallow. Have you gone rouge from the world, or have you gone rouge from God? I made the wrong decision, but praise the Lord, I was able to run back to Him. 

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Author | Koda Moody
Photography | Cassi & (Staff Group Picture by) Koda Moody

Summer 2022 | Calvary Rd & The Orchard

A great part of camp ministry is seeing pieces of people’s process: the struggle, the resistance, the doubt; the freedom, the hope, the faith. Such a view only grows our adoration of God and His astounding grace and patience with us as people.

Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming two different churches. Each with leaders who have both been campers at Whisper Mountain Camp, who have both been part of our summer staff team, and who now both serve as youth pastors who bring teens to camp. I’m sorry, but that’s just beautiful, isn’t it? Walking with people through the long haul, through all the different growing seasons, brings such depth to life.

Serving these groups and their leaders (Hayden and Seth) was a privilege as we strive to build up the community of disciples they are growing.

Thank you Calvary and The Orchard for spending your camp week with us! Keep chasing the things of God. Keep impacting your community for God’s glory!

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Author | Cassi
Photography | Koda Moody & Cassi
Groups | The Orchard Church & Calvary Road Baptist Church

Now Hiring Summer Staff

Crazy, but true — it’s already time to begin praying in and rounding up our 2017 Summer Staff Team! In case you didn’t know our summer staff are a pretty major deal around here. Camp wouldn’t be what it is without them! And so of course we are looking for the best of the best to invest in teens all summer long!

If you are someone or know someone who wants to spend a summer in the mountains of North Carolina proclaiming Christ through camp ministry, please go apply or spread the word today! We are anticipating God to continue to do His great work through Whisper Mountain Camp!

Come be a part!

we practiced what we preach!

Our full-time staff just came off a first-ever staff retreat! We are pretty good about preaching it…get away into the quiet to find rest and refreshment and to hear God's whisper. We have it down, in word. We struggle as a unit to practice it! But we got away! We planned, we prayed, we played! Fabulous! Just hanging out and cracking up was a refreshing change from the on mission, get some work done atmostphere we are used to!

And we got to spend a little time with these goofballs summer staffers who lived in the area!

(yes, I just posted this picture of you KM!!)

I'm already thinking ahead to the next one…this time all play and no work!

Hmn. Just what should we do?! (any interested sponsors?!)

***thank you to the generous folks allowing us to stay in their mountian home for the weekend! You are awesome, we are blessed! May God heap goodness down on you for loving us!***

poles & prayers

The Fishing Tournament is this weekend down in Florida! Would you be willing to pray for this event? Pray for all those organizing and heading it up. Pray for Marty as he will have the opportunity to boldly (and briefly) share Jesus! Pray for safety, a great turnout, pleasant fishing weather, and success as we seek to fundraise scholarships for campers and meeting other financial needs of Whisper Mountain!

Thanks for praying! Your awesome!

May your weekend be filled with goodness!

Seize It!

If you were to walk up to the loft in the Whisper Mountain office you would likely come upon this scene.Marty and Patti, with heads together, figuring out or praying through the situations and "problems" that arise on a daily basis at camp! They would tell you they aren't real sure what they are doing, that they feel like they are grappling in the dark for the right direction. I will tell you that I'm often encouraged by their grappling and inspired to remain in such a need for God! Though it doesn't seem to make sense, our need for God brings such a liberty in Him! In those times when we do mess up or choose the wrong direction, or……things blow up in our face even after our best efforts, we can find a peace in Him that isn't found anywhere else on earth. We can find a strength in Him that isn't attained anywhere else on earth. We can find a joy in Him that never ceases while we are on this earth!

Seize today, whether grappling or walking strong! God made this day for living! Don't hold back!

SFCA TEENS

 This is why we pour ourselves out day after day here at Whisper Mountain Youth Camp! Teens and adults coming to (re)discover the God in pursuit of their hearts, to find refreshment for their worn out souls, to experience connection with others in meaningful ways! Kind of a big deal!

SFCA, we have loved having you with us this week!

I want you to know:: you are worth God's pursuit of you! May you find Him trustworthy today!

your pictures + camp = new group

  There's a new group in town…uh,huh! It's the Whisper Mountain flickr group. Starting today, you can come along side of us by adding a favorite photo from a your time at Whisper Mountain in this online photo album. The idea is to not only connect people through their pictures and experiences, but to allow others to see more about camp at Whisper Mountain! Sounds a little like word of mouth but with pictures! yeah, you get it!

The above link will take you to see some of the starter pictures I've posted and to allow those of you who have been to Whisper Mountain the chance to add to the pool of pictures! (If you haven't been yet, plan a trip…the whole year is before you!) Your photo(s) can be meaningful, silly, beautiful, just a favorite, or anything else that might show a small piece of your time while with us! By a click of a couple buttons you are joining in our effort to Proclaim God!  Thanks…hope to see you over there!