Volunteerism is on all our minds these days, even to becoming a prevalent theme in the comics section of the newspaper. As we reflect on the ministry of Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp the realization emerges that its unique character and effectiveness is the result of hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours of efforts. Consider that the entire program staff for both youth camps and family conferences “volunteer” their time to engage in that time of ministry on behalf of the campers. Consider further that much of what we are able to do to build and maintain the Camp’s facilities also is comprised of volunteers. There are a number of individuals who come to work behind the scenes in the kitchen or with the maintenance crew. Work parties in the past year from Harrisburg Christian Church, Tigard Christian Church, Mill City Christian Church, Adventure Christian Church, and from churches associated with Go, Inc, as well as folks from the RV service group “Servants of Our Savior” have kept the Camp moving forward with the Missions Building project.
The results are in for Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma Day: $30, 121 was raised through this year’s Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma Day. Of that amount just over $14,000 was raised on behalf of the special Missions Building project. One hundred fifty people enjoyed the concert by the Good News Gospel String Band, Salmon Dinner, and the silent and oral auctions.
Update on the Missions Building Project: With the help of volunteers sheetrock is starting to go up on the walls of the Great Room. Another set of volunteers is scheduled to come in next week to build the first set of stairs to the mezzanine level. We are planning and pricing to purchase the materials to install the ceiling insulation and the west entry windows. These last two projects are being funded by proceeds of the special project from the Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma Day auction.
Look forward to next month as we finalize the camp and conference schedule for 2010.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Week of Missions & Youth Camp Wrap Up
Excitement and anticipation filled the air in the moments leading up to the opening session for Week of Missions. It was to be the first gathering in the new building. How fitting it was for that gathering to center on praising God and encouraging His people to reach out to others with the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. About 500 people attended that opening session as the flags of the featured countries were brought in launching a new era of service for the Missions Building. An interesting connection was brought to light. The program director for the 2009 Week of Missions was Steve Isom who currently serves as interim minister at Tigard Christian Church. His father, Bob Isom, was the program director for the first Week of Missions event held in the original building.
Week of MissionsWeek of Missions was a great week marked by beautiful weather, good fellowship, challenging speakers, and inspiring music. 660 people registered and the offering for the missionaries was $22,700.
The youth camps also came to a close last weekend. The final two camps saw a significant increase in campers above last year’s attendance. The close of the Second Junior High Camp led by Ben Peterson of Monmouth Christian Church and Mike Miller of Dallas church was marked by a number of baptisms. Out of 107 campers, 16 were baptized with their parents and friends present. Sometimes Camp is mostly about planting seeds, but this time it was also about seeing the fruit of this ministry. Please continue to pray and support all the young people who made significant decisions in the relationship with Christ through the whole summer camping program. Wi-Ne-Ma is the place, but all the volunteers and program staff are the people through whom God works to draw people to Himself.
With the Missions Building, it is still far from “finished.” The great room is at the point where we can use it. This fall we are working to insulate and install the ventilation and heating systems. Over the winter months we will be continuing to work on the entryways, reception, and office areas. Our goal is to have them ready to use by next spring. We have had a number of volunteers (individuals and groups) who have worked over the summer months and we have greatly appreciated their help.
Looking ahead, we still have a number of events to enjoy – Family Bible Conference, Singles Conference, and Septemberfest.
Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma Day is also coming up on September 19. Come for the day or for the weekend. The cost is $25 per person or $50 for a family. Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma features a concert by Bill Coleman and the Good News Gospel String Band, lunch in the Dining Hall, and the opportunity to support the Camp’s ministry in the silent and oral benefit auction. It is a great day and a lot of fun. Contact the camp office for ticket and lodging information.
Week of MissionsWeek of Missions was a great week marked by beautiful weather, good fellowship, challenging speakers, and inspiring music. 660 people registered and the offering for the missionaries was $22,700.
The youth camps also came to a close last weekend. The final two camps saw a significant increase in campers above last year’s attendance. The close of the Second Junior High Camp led by Ben Peterson of Monmouth Christian Church and Mike Miller of Dallas church was marked by a number of baptisms. Out of 107 campers, 16 were baptized with their parents and friends present. Sometimes Camp is mostly about planting seeds, but this time it was also about seeing the fruit of this ministry. Please continue to pray and support all the young people who made significant decisions in the relationship with Christ through the whole summer camping program. Wi-Ne-Ma is the place, but all the volunteers and program staff are the people through whom God works to draw people to Himself.
With the Missions Building, it is still far from “finished.” The great room is at the point where we can use it. This fall we are working to insulate and install the ventilation and heating systems. Over the winter months we will be continuing to work on the entryways, reception, and office areas. Our goal is to have them ready to use by next spring. We have had a number of volunteers (individuals and groups) who have worked over the summer months and we have greatly appreciated their help.
Looking ahead, we still have a number of events to enjoy – Family Bible Conference, Singles Conference, and Septemberfest.
Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma Day is also coming up on September 19. Come for the day or for the weekend. The cost is $25 per person or $50 for a family. Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma features a concert by Bill Coleman and the Good News Gospel String Band, lunch in the Dining Hall, and the opportunity to support the Camp’s ministry in the silent and oral benefit auction. It is a great day and a lot of fun. Contact the camp office for ticket and lodging information.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
June Update
Ninety seven seems to be the special number for the first two weeks of youth camp. Each camp (1st and 2nd Junior) registered 97 campers. So we are well underway for the 2009 youth camping season. One of the interesting things I have noticed this year is the different leadership styles of the program directors. Each director brings something unique to the Christian camping experience. Each one comes with a significant ministry in their home church. Even though the program and personalities vary, what I have noticed is that they bring all their talents and resources to bear on the tasking of sharing the Gospel with the campers. Their desire is to somehow help the young people coming to Camp to love Jesus and grow in their relationship with Christ. They might come at the task from different directions, but the purpose is the same.
The Missions Building project continues its progress. Currently we are working to frame in the Great Room. The sprinkler system is now installed. The next few weeks will find us working on the heating and electrical system. As the summer camping program brings new people to Camp the common expressions is, “Wow, this is going to be a great addition!”
The Summer Windchime should be showing up in your mailboxes. It lists the various speakers scheduled for the remaining conferences as well as an update on the Missions Building.
We have also launched an email newsletter to be delivered monthly. People can subscribe to it by going to www.winema.org and scroll down to the box where it says “Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter.”
We also invite you to “Save the Date” for the Annual Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma Day Benefit and Auction. The date is September 19, 2009. Included in the ticket price of $25 per person or $50 for a family is the opportunity to spend the weekend at Wi-Ne-Ma, enjoy a concert, share a meal, take home some cool stuff from the Auctions, and contribute to the Camp’s ministry. You can sign up online by following the Register Online link.
Please contact Leroy Shepherd at the Camp Office if you would like to donate an item for the auction. We are seeking items that are new which may be placed in either the oral or silent auction. Crafts and gift certificates for services also seem to go well. For more information, contact the Camp Office.
As we move through the summer camping season please continue to pray for the program staff and campers. This is the heart of why Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp exists.
The Missions Building project continues its progress. Currently we are working to frame in the Great Room. The sprinkler system is now installed. The next few weeks will find us working on the heating and electrical system. As the summer camping program brings new people to Camp the common expressions is, “Wow, this is going to be a great addition!”
The Summer Windchime should be showing up in your mailboxes. It lists the various speakers scheduled for the remaining conferences as well as an update on the Missions Building.
We have also launched an email newsletter to be delivered monthly. People can subscribe to it by going to www.winema.org and scroll down to the box where it says “Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter.”
We also invite you to “Save the Date” for the Annual Friends of Wi-Ne-Ma Day Benefit and Auction. The date is September 19, 2009. Included in the ticket price of $25 per person or $50 for a family is the opportunity to spend the weekend at Wi-Ne-Ma, enjoy a concert, share a meal, take home some cool stuff from the Auctions, and contribute to the Camp’s ministry. You can sign up online by following the Register Online link.
Please contact Leroy Shepherd at the Camp Office if you would like to donate an item for the auction. We are seeking items that are new which may be placed in either the oral or silent auction. Crafts and gift certificates for services also seem to go well. For more information, contact the Camp Office.
As we move through the summer camping season please continue to pray for the program staff and campers. This is the heart of why Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp exists.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
April Update
Turning the calendar from March to April brought a lot of activity to Camp. It seemed like just as the daffodils and the buds started popping out so did all the people. We have had a number of retreat groups in on the weekends as well as the Outdoor Schools we have hosted for the Northwest Regional Education Service District. Easter would have been the day without a group in Camp except that we served the community Sunrise Service breakfast along with the Wi-Ne-Ma Church.
We have reached a significant waypoint in the Missions Building Project. The building is essentially up and enclosed. The major work that was to be contracted out is completed and now we turn to working on the inside elements. We need to transform the shell into a functional building. Our first goal is to get the great room to where we can use it for Week of Missions in August. This involves getting the sprinkler and electrical system in. There are a number of work parties as well as individuals coming in over the next couple of months to help with portions of this project. Just last weekend a men’s group from Mill City First Christian Church installed the decking for the mezzanine level.
We appreciate and still need consistent financial support of the Missions Building project in order to keep moving forward to completion. Once the great room is useable we will turn our attention to insulation, heating system; then finishing up the restrooms and office/reception area. You can check out the progress by following the Missions Building link from the Camp’s web page at www.winema.org.
Christian Heritage Conference is coming up next month. The theme is Passing the Torch. The speakers (Steven and K.C. Richardson) will explore how faith is handed on from one generation to the next. I am struck by how many families make Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp a part of their family tradition. The experiences they share together either through the family camps or by participating in youth camps help young people see the importance of faith in their parents lives. In addition there is the opportunity to learn from people involved in dynamic Christian ministries from other communities and even around the world. Think about where else might your child come into contact with those who love the Lord and seek to faithfully serve Him.
We are on the brink of what could be a significant summer for the Camp. We are stretching ourselves to expand and improve the Camp’s facilities. We are looking forward to how God will stretch us through the various camps and conferences coming up. In light of the dramatic global changes since last summer – politically, economically, and culturally – what better way to prepare families than by taking time to share some time together at Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp?
We have reached a significant waypoint in the Missions Building Project. The building is essentially up and enclosed. The major work that was to be contracted out is completed and now we turn to working on the inside elements. We need to transform the shell into a functional building. Our first goal is to get the great room to where we can use it for Week of Missions in August. This involves getting the sprinkler and electrical system in. There are a number of work parties as well as individuals coming in over the next couple of months to help with portions of this project. Just last weekend a men’s group from Mill City First Christian Church installed the decking for the mezzanine level.
We appreciate and still need consistent financial support of the Missions Building project in order to keep moving forward to completion. Once the great room is useable we will turn our attention to insulation, heating system; then finishing up the restrooms and office/reception area. You can check out the progress by following the Missions Building link from the Camp’s web page at www.winema.org.
Christian Heritage Conference is coming up next month. The theme is Passing the Torch. The speakers (Steven and K.C. Richardson) will explore how faith is handed on from one generation to the next. I am struck by how many families make Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp a part of their family tradition. The experiences they share together either through the family camps or by participating in youth camps help young people see the importance of faith in their parents lives. In addition there is the opportunity to learn from people involved in dynamic Christian ministries from other communities and even around the world. Think about where else might your child come into contact with those who love the Lord and seek to faithfully serve Him.
We are on the brink of what could be a significant summer for the Camp. We are stretching ourselves to expand and improve the Camp’s facilities. We are looking forward to how God will stretch us through the various camps and conferences coming up. In light of the dramatic global changes since last summer – politically, economically, and culturally – what better way to prepare families than by taking time to share some time together at Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Along with the daffodils we are seeing numerous signs of spring. The Mexico Missions work party was here earlier in March. They worked on a number of projects that help us emerge from winter and get ready for the groups that start coming in the spring. Youth camp and conference registrations are starting to flow in. There have been several meetings involving youth camp directors and conference committees as they put the finishing touches on their plans. The Outdoor School groups get going next week. They will be accompanied by a number of retreat groups in April and May. All of this looks forward to our first conference over the Memorial Day weekend followed by the first youth camps in June.
We have had a chance to share about the Camp’s ministry at Stayton Church of Christ, North Plains Christian Church, Tigard Christian Church, and Tualatin Hills Christian Church. Upcoming Camp presentations are scheduled for Oceanlake Christian Church, Mill City Christian Church, Englewood Christian Church, Newberg Christian Church and West Salem Christian Church. It is good to reaffirm the relationship between the Camp and the churches. The Camp’s ministry really is to serve as a resource for the churches and we appreciate the friendships and the fellowship that makes a ministry like this possible.
I did have the opportunity at one place to meet a young woman who was looking forward to sending her daughter to First Chance Camp. What made her stand out was that she also was telling me about her own experience as a First Chance camper. Again I was reminded of not just the continuity of the Camp’s ministry with young people, but with the significance that we have the opportunity to serve generations. To look at it another way, when you help a young person come to Camp, you don’t just help them. You might also be helping their future children and grandchildren to come to Camp experiencing God’s love and hearing His call upon their lives.
We have had a chance to share about the Camp’s ministry at Stayton Church of Christ, North Plains Christian Church, Tigard Christian Church, and Tualatin Hills Christian Church. Upcoming Camp presentations are scheduled for Oceanlake Christian Church, Mill City Christian Church, Englewood Christian Church, Newberg Christian Church and West Salem Christian Church. It is good to reaffirm the relationship between the Camp and the churches. The Camp’s ministry really is to serve as a resource for the churches and we appreciate the friendships and the fellowship that makes a ministry like this possible.
I did have the opportunity at one place to meet a young woman who was looking forward to sending her daughter to First Chance Camp. What made her stand out was that she also was telling me about her own experience as a First Chance camper. Again I was reminded of not just the continuity of the Camp’s ministry with young people, but with the significance that we have the opportunity to serve generations. To look at it another way, when you help a young person come to Camp, you don’t just help them. You might also be helping their future children and grandchildren to come to Camp experiencing God’s love and hearing His call upon their lives.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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