NewsLetter Spring 2K6.indd - Hunterdale Baptist Church

newsletter
spring 2006 Volume 25 Number 1
SERVING FRIENDS OF THE WILDS CHRISTIAN CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER
MY TURF OR YOURS?
By Ken Collier
1 PETER: LIVING IN THE FACE OF RIDICULE
By Rand Hummel
A BATTLE FOR THE SOULS OF TEENS
By Matt Collier
A DIFFERENT ANGLE
By Diane Hay
SUSTAINER
By Dick Reid
A COUPLE OF REASONS
By Steve Stodola
newsletter www.wilds.org
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A
Dear WILDS Staff:
PROVIDENTIAL
“OOPS”
newsletter
THE WILDS Christian Association, Inc. is an
independent, nondenominational, nonprofit,
501(c)(3) organization created for the purpose
of operating Christian camps and conference
centers. We are fundamental in our beliefs,
Bible-centered in our activities, and evangelistic
in our outreach.
THE WILDS Christian Association, Inc. presently
operates a Christian camp and conference
center in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western
North Carolina that is open year-round. The
camp has a carefully selected and trained staff
and averages 20,000 campers per year. We also
own property overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee
in central New Hampshire in anticipation of a
future ministry known as THE WILDS of New
England.
In addition to providing a God-honoring music
publication service as an integral part of our
ministry, THE WILDS Christian Association, Inc.
has also established the CampsAbroad program
in order to assist others in the formation and
operation of Christian camp ministries around
the world.
THE WILDS Christian Association, Inc. publishes
THE WILDS NewsLetter. Change of address
information and comments should be sent to:
THE WILDS Christian Association, Inc.
PO Box 509
Taylors, SC 29687-0009
Phone: (864) 268-4760
Fax: (864) 292-0743
E-mail: [email protected]
North Carolina Campsite:
THE WILDS
1000 Wilds Ridge Road
Brevard, NC 28712-7273
Phone: (828) 884-7811
Fax: (828) 862-4813
Visit our website at www.wilds.org or visit
THE WILDS Online Store at www.wilds.org/store.
THE WILDS is a registered trademark of
THE WILDS Christian Association, Inc.
Editor: Dr. Ken Hay
Publications Coordinator: Craig Stouffer
The Sherrard Family
It happens from time to time that
someone mistakenly shows up
for a camp a weekend early. Such
was the case of the writer of this
letter, Matt Sherrard. Matt and his
wife, Linda, were within an hour of the camp
after a long trip when they discovered that they
were coming for the “wrong weekend.” What
makes the situation a bit more unusual is that
the Sherrards have 16 children, 8 adopted and
8 of their own, who had to be farmed out to
make their attendance at THE WILDS possible! It
so happened that Oakwood Baptist Church of
Anderson, South Carolina, was having a private
couples’ retreat and Pastor Brent Armstrong
and his people “adopted” the Sherrards so they
might have a spiritually refreshing weekend
together. The following letter reveals that
arriving a week early for camp was not the only
surprise God had in store for the Sherrards!
–By Ken Collier
Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality when Linda and I were up there on our “wrong weekend” couples’
retreat. We appreciate your kindness and generosity more than we can say. The Lord ministered to our needs in
so many ways while we were up there—we loved the folks from Oakwood, and they loved and accepted us. The
preaching and fellowship were incredible, and Linda and I had plenty of time to just be alone. Honestly, it just could
not have been better.
Something else happened during our “wrong weekend” that I want to
share with you. I don’t know if you’ve read my testimony or not, but I
am one of those ones who’s not entirely sure of when I got saved. I may
have been saved when I was 22 years old, stationed in Athens, Greece,
with the [U.S.] Air Force. But later, when I was about 30 years old, I was so
disturbed by my sin that I cried out to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness
and asked the Lord to save me if I had not been saved earlier. …
In the intervening time in the late 80’s, I was on my second tour in
Athens with my wife and kids. We went to a small Baptist church about
an hour away and there was an Air Force doctor and his family who also
went there. He was much more mature than I was (although I wouldn’t
have admitted it at the time), and really tried to be a good Christian
big brother to me. I didn’t appreciate him at all at the time, nor did I
respond very much to his good testimony, his attempt at discipling me,
or anything else. After I repented, and increasingly in recent years, I
have thought about this doctor and how much he must have loved me,
since he put up with my foolishness and never seemed to judge me. I
have wished he could know that I did repent, and although I’m far from
the man I’d like to be, I’m also far from the young fool I used to be. I’ve
talked to the Lord about it from time to time, telling Him how much I’d
like to run into this doctor again to thank him for the influence he was
in my life back then and that my family and I are serving the Lord. …
About an hour before we were going to leave [camp] Saturday evening,
Linda and I were in the bookstore… Another man was in there who
looked familiar to me. He looked at me a couple times and finally came
over and stood right in front of me. He looked straight into my eyes.
I said, “I recognize you from somewhere.”
“I’m K. . .”
“KURT HARDING!!!!”
I’m afraid I may have bruised his ribs when I embraced him. It’s hard for
me to not weep as I recount this. I told him everything I’d wanted to tell
him, and we intend to get our families together to catch up when we
get the chance. It reminds me of the quote from the movie Sheffey, “The
sweet Lord manifests Himself in so many ways.” I just have to say “Amen”
to that. That whole weekend was one godly manifestation after another,
and I can’t thank you enough for your part in it.
Your friend in Christ,
Matt Sherrard
Volume 25, Number 1 • Spring 2006
© 2006 THE WILDS Christian Association, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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MY TURF OR
YOURS?
for campers ONLY
Dear Campers,
By Rand Hummel
Assistant Director
THE WILDS
Brevard, North Carolina
Even though as Bible-believing Christians in America we do not face
intense suffering, what should we do when we feel hated, rejected,
pressured, and misunderstood? This summer we will study the
encouraging book of 1 Peter and learn that a right focus makes all the
difference in our response to any type of ridicule. We will take a close
look at salvation in Chapter 1, be reminded that we are special to God in
Chapter 2, recognize that our testimonies are constantly being watched
in Chapter 3, realize the seriousness of Christlike living in Chapter 4, and
learn of Satan’s constant attack in Chapter 5. Peter admonishes us to live
lives with such godly character that our accusers will have no evil thing to
say about us! It’s going to be a great study in our morning chapels and God
& I Times.
“Meet and talk with six pastors in 60 hours” — that was my goal. It was an opportunity
to go to their turf rather than see them at camp. I found that as meeting places go,
Shoney’s, Applebee’s, IHOP, or Bob Evans will do nicely. Food is really not that significant
when eating is not the main course. I had a captive audience (I was buying) with
six different men having six different backgrounds and six different personalities. In
common was that each is a pastor with experience either bringing or sending people to
THE WILDS. Here’s what I found out:
Miles are miles. It is a good reminder to jump
in my car and drive every single mile a group
drives to get to THE WILDS. It just so happened
when I was meeting one of the pastors in the
parking lot of his church, his youth group was
headed out on a weekend skiing retreat. Seeing the
teens off, I stood by an anxious mom who was not
so sure about the idea of sending her son on a van
such a significant number of miles. Safety can’t
be guaranteed. “Welcome to the world of a pastor
and youth sponsor,” I thought. Nothing says that
those miles and miles through mountains and
around curves are easy and totally safe. There is
a lot of pressure placed on the leaders who travel
great distances to THE WILDS with a very noisy,
precious cargo. I live in a place far away from my
pastor-friends, yet they choose to travel the long
miles to camp and the parents choose to send
their children with varying degrees of excitement.
It was good to feel the weary miles in my bones.
Life is busy. All of us believe (know) we are
director’s report
By Ken
Collier
Director
THE WILDS
Brevard, North Carolina
busy. My pastor-friends made time for me, like
they must make time for a hundred other things
vying for their attention. One was awaiting an
update on a seriously ill church member. One
was contemplating a church leadership meeting
in an hour. One, while eating dinner, was
simultaneously monitoring the status of his young
daughter who was sitting with her grandma who
has Alzheimer’s. People take out valuable time to
experience camp. Life is very busy, but you take
time to do the loving thing.
Camp is important. Of course, it’s not allimportant to my pastor-friends like it is to me
and my co-laborers at THE WILDS. There are
weeks and months wherein there will only be a
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brief thought about the camp ministry. However,
there are indeed thoughts of camp throughout the
year! One of my pastor-friends told me about the
ongoing growth of a young man who was saved
at camp. Another told me of a great personal
disappointment with a young person who did
well for a time, but needs to step it up. One told
me of ongoing plans of the youth group to get
even more unsaved young people to camp. One
expressed concern that his older teens were going
after money during summer but need the spiritual
challenge of camp in a desperate way before it’s
too late. One told me of his gratefulness for a
faithful assistant who was called into ministry at
camp. One professed the personal need to use the
camp as a place of refreshment believing he had
put that on the back burner far too long. He is
planning to come to the “Preacher’s Conference.”
My pastor-friends don’t have to think about camp
every day, but camp has touched personal and
church family in such a way that camp remains
important each time they are reminded of it. For
this I praise God.
I must do this again. I learned much from
my pastor-friends about love for the Body of
Christ. I’m going to do this again soon. It won’t be
because salad thrills me that much, but because
there are faithful men all over our country who
want THE WILDS to remain faithful so it can be
used of God in their church family. Their advice
to me was simple: “Keep doing what you’re doing.
Keep being servants. Don’t compromise the music
and standards. Don’t neglect the direct but loving
preaching. Move the camp closer to where we
live.” Oops! We can’t do much about that last one.
So, get back in the car, Ken, and drive the miles. It
will be worth it… for all of us!
To give those of you coming to Teen Camp a head start on our Scripture
memory, below is the list of passages and character traits that God would
love for us to memorize, meditate on, and master in our lives. See you this
summer!
Keep hating sin and loving God,
Rand Hummel
Teen Scripture Memory for Summer 2006
1
Availability – Making my own schedule and
priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving.
1 Corinthians 9:22, Philippians 2:20
2.
Boldness – Confidence that what I have to say or do
will result in lasting benefit. Acts 4:29, Hebrews 13:6
10. Discretion – The ability to avoid words, actions, and
attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences.
Proverbs 21:23, Proverbs 22:3
3.
Compassion – Investing whatever is necessary to
heal the hurts of others. 1 John 3:17, Jude 22
11. Endurance – The inward strength to withstand stress
to accomplish God’s best. Galatians 6:9, 2 Timothy 2:3
4.
Contentment – Realizing God has provided
everything I need for my present happiness.
Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:8
12. Enthusiasm – Expressing with my spirit the joy of my
soul. 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Acts 8:39
5.
6.
Decisiveness – The ability to finalize difficult
decisions based on the will and ways of God.
Hebrews 11:24-25, James 1:5
Dependability – Fulfilling what I consented to
do even if it means unexpected sacrifice. Psalm 15:4,
Ecclesiastes 5:4
7.
Determination – Purposing to accomplish
God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition.
Philippians 3:14, 2 Timothy 4:7
8.
Diligence – Visualizing each task as a specific
assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to
accomplish it. Romans 12:11, Colossians 3:23
9.
Discernment – Seeing through a surface problem to
root causes. 1 Samuel 16:7, John 7:24
13. Generosity – Realizing that all I have belongs to God
and using it for His purposes. Proverbs 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians
9:6
14. Gratefulness – Making known to God and others in
what ways they have benefited my life. Philippians 1:3-4, 1
Thessalonians 5:18
15. Humility – Recognizing that God and others are
actually responsible for the achievements in my life.
Galatians 6:14, James 4:6
18. Loyalty – Using adversity to confirm my commitment
to those whom God has called me to serve. John 15:13,
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
19. Patience – Accepting a difficult situation from God
without giving Him a deadline to remove it. Romans 5:34, James 1:3-4
20. Punctuality – Showing high esteem for other people
and their time. Ecclesiastes 3:1, Ephesians 5:16
21. Security – Structuring my life around what is eternal
and cannot be destroyed or taken away. John 6:27,
Philippians 1:6
22. Self-control – Instant obedience to the initial
promptings of God’s Spirit. 1 Corinthians 9:27,
Galatians 5:24-25
23. Sincerity – Eagerness to do what is right with
transparent motives. Colossians 3:22, 1 Peter 1:22
16. Joyfulness – The uninhibited expression of delight in
what God has done for me. Proverbs 15:13, Proverbs 29:6
24. Tolerance – Acceptance of others as unique
expressions of specific character qualities in varying
degrees of maturity. 1 Corinthians 12:24-25,
Philippians 2:2
17. Love – Giving to others’ basic needs without expecting
anything in return. John 15:12-13, 1 Corinthians 13:3
25. Wisdom – Seeing and responding to life situations
from God’s frame of reference. Proverbs 9:10, James 3:17
Used and edited with permission from The Institute In Basic Life Principles.
newsletter www.wilds.org
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A Battle for the Souls of
Teens
a campsabroad report
By Matt Collier
Director
CampsAbroad
Brevard, North Carolina
Each time I visit Papua New Guinea (PNG) I’m struck by the
all out spiritual war that is raging. Personally, I believe that
in dark countries such as this, Satan operates more openly.
One example in particular comes to mind. It was 2002 and
the first teen camp ever held in Lae was in full swing. Jim
and Carol Stackhouse had labored long and hard to see
Camp Gary established and now their dream of a camp in
PNG had finally come to pass. Things were going well, the
staff was doing an incredible job, and we were gearing up for
a salvation message that night. That morning, it was camp
business as usual—chapel, God & I Time, and so on. During
the morning activity, though, a young lady nearly passed out
from heat stroke—not surprising considering the 130˚ heat.
She was taken to the doctor’s office. Later that afternoon,
one of the workers was moving brush and was bitten by a
deadly snake. In spite of arriving at the hospital in less than
30 minutes, the venom still almost claimed his life. Our
makeshift ambulance had just returned from the emergency
run when they were forced to return immediately with a new
passenger: a missionary wife had suffered a major stroke.
Camp continued to run with a skeleton staff. That evening,
in spite of more disruptions in the evening service, the
Lord still saved several campers and He continued to work
throughout the week. The first year of camp was strongly
opposed but was greatly used of the Lord to impact campers
for eternity.
In December 2005, I returned to Camp Gary with Evangelist
Mark Herbster and Scott Ashmore to assist in the second
teen camp. Opposition came again, but this time in a
different way. At the last minute, a large number of staff and
campers were not able to participate in the camp. The word
was spread rapidly to the village churches: “Bring unsaved
young people and someone will cover their camp fee.” That
“someone” was a small Christian elementary school, a Sunday
school class, and summer campers at THE WILDS who gave
to CampsAbroad. As the camp filled to capacity, it became
obvious that the churches had “compelled them to come in
from the highways and hedges.” Many unsaved teens came,
some untaught and some worldly-wise. As usual, we saw
the entire package of camp working to break down barriers.
Below is an excerpt from the Stackhouses’ prayer letter.
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A sweet sight is etched in my mind. While
playing soccer, I looked over and noticed
that Lawa, an assistant counselor, was
sitting beside the field in the shade of a
grove of banana trees. He was talking
earnestly to Nigel – one of the older
campers. A short time later I saw them
crying and embracing. After the game
Lawa stood beaming on the sideline: “Nigel
now knows that his name is written in the
Book of Life.”
The testimonies on Friday night reflected
the spiritual battle that had been raging.
They were not long or eloquent, but one
after another, young people (both guys and
girls) stepped forward into the firelight
and spoke (in Pidgin of course). “God
saved me.” “I did not have money for the
camp fee, but someone paid for me to
come and I got saved.” “I could not hide
from God’s Word.” “I resisted every day,
but on the last day I could not hold back
any more and I accepted Christ.” “Now I’m
on my way to heaven.” Twenty-five out of
the twenty-six CampsAbroad scholarship
young people trusted Christ as Savior. Not
a bad investment of $20, I’d say. Here is
how one camper described her decision:
“mi save olsem nem blong mi ino stap long
buk bilong laif olsem na me laik kisim
Jisas olsem personal savior bilong mi.” In
English: “I know that my name is not in
the Book of Life so now I want to accept
Jesus as my personal Savior.” Not all fields
we visit see this much fruit – the Lord did
something special during that camp week.
Let us never forget that we are in a war.
Our enemy’s movements here in America
may be more clandestine, but the battle
rages just as fiercely here as it does in
Papua New Guinea. But in the midst of
the fight let us also never forget Who wins:
I John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God
overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world, even
our faith.” Above all else, our General’s
name must be glorified; or, as our brethren
in PNG delight to say, “Givem’ God big
name.” With that in mind, let us continue
the battle.
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A Different Angle
a campsabroad special report
By Diane Hay
Wife of the President
THE WILDS
Taylors, South Carolina
Tim Meals, Doug Gorsline, Joe Anderson, my wife, Diane,
and I had the privilege of representing our CampsAbroad
ministry at Hope Ranch in Catalao, Brazil. GFA missionaries
Bill and Susan Kieffer have done a magnificent job in
establishing this campsite and ministry, and they allowed
us to be a part of the first summer camping program. I have
asked my wife to write the report in this column so that you
could see the ministry from a woman’s point of view. She
had a great impact on the girls and ladies, both staff and
campers. I trust you will rejoice with us in what God did and
continues to do through this new venture.
–by Ken Hay
Our CampsAbroad team of five started our two-week training
mission heading south on January 2, 2006. The group included
Joe Anderson, Doug Gorsline, Tim Meals, Ken Hay, and me. We
were headed to Brazil facing a lot of unknowns, but we were also
confident that the Lord was sending us. I wondered why the Lord
had placed me on a team with four men. It did not take long to
get the answer!
We were tired and weary as we got to the baggage claim area
in Brazilia and were relieved to find that all nine checked bags
had arrived with us. Our spirits were revived as we were greeted
by the smiles of Pastor and Mrs. John Garland and friends. We
packed baggage, supplies, and people into their Volkswagen van
and headed four hours south to Hope Ranch. We experienced an
exhilarating ride of a lifetime—avoiding potholes and wild drivers.
The terrain was very similar to our own foothills in the Carolinas.
Everything was bright green and lush. We had to remember that
it was summertime in Brazil and that we had left the bleak winter
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weather back home. As we approached the
campsite we realized that God was so good
to carve out another beautiful piece of
His handiwork to establish a fundamental
Christian camp in the heart of Brazil.
We arrived only a few hours before staff
training was to start. Our team quickly
got settled into our “Crowne Plaza”
accommodations at the home of Bill and
Susan Kieffer, the camp founders. There
was excitement and anxiety permeating
the atmosphere as the missionaries had no
idea if anyone would show up for the week.
Hard work and prayer proved to all of us
that the Lord was in this project, because
people did show up. We ended up with 20
people attending the Staff Training Week.
At first the attendees were overwhelmed
by all the information they were receiving.
They had never heard of “having a
philosophy” or had any concept of
“counseling.” Repetition does aid learning.
We applied these principles in a lot of
different ways, and then suddenly the “light
turned on” and the staff was elated as they
absorbed all the information they needed
in order to have a good ministry with the
campers. They were a little timid about
participating in case studies. All the games
and activities were new to them, but they
loved every one of them. By the end of
the week they were ready to explode with
excitement as they anticipated the campers
coming. Ken and Tim did a wonderful job
of training these people. I had the privilege
of working with the girls and ladies
throughout the week getting them ready to
deal with the challenges of female campers.
The weather was cool and wet throughout
the first week. We were slipping and
sliding around in red clay that made our
Carolina red clay look pale. Needless to
say that condition created dirty laundry
for five people and I was a committee of
one to keep us all in clean clothes, which
was an all day project. It took 45 minutes
to fill the washer for one load and one
hour to complete a wash cycle. Since there
was only one dryer on the campsite, part
of a load would be hung on a clothesline
while the other part was in the dryer. This
was repeated load after load.
Doug and Joe were kept busy repairing
leaks, putting up electric pasture fence,
building a new pulpit, and manufacturing
three games: two carpet ball tables and
a portable dodge ball pit. The games
were a hit with the staff as well as the
campers. There was a line of campers and
staff waiting to take turns playing these
games. Doug was also busy taking pictures
throughout the two weeks.
Tuesday was a typical first day of camp
with all the sounds of happy teenagers
getting acquainted with counselors and
the campsite. For the most part, the
counselors came through and were putting
into practice what they had learned. It was
a thrill to see a counselor burdened for
his or her campers, confronting in love,
and leading campers to the Lord. The
preaching was just what this group of teens
needed to hear. The chapels challenged
them to godly living. The Christian Life
Seminars were pertinent to the teens.
The Kieffer’s, Ken, Tim, and I worked as
a team to make the first week of camp
at Hope Ranch one that will go down in
the treasure chest of special memories.
There were five who made professions of
faith, six who surrendered life to God’s
work, and a number of others who made
decisions throughout the two week
period. We have heard that one of the area
churches had three saved as a result of the
testimonies of those attending camp.
Each of the team members returned home
with a renewed burden for the lost and a
vision of how camping is a vital arm of the
local church to help evangelize the lost and
encourage the believers in their Christian
walk. God’s Word works in any country
and in every culture. We appreciated being
a small part of the CampsAbroad ministry.
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9
the
NEEDS CORNER
Items Received
for THE WILDS
sustainer
What comes to mind?
the trust department
By Dick Reid
Director of Development
THE WILDS
Taylors, South Carolina
What picture comes to your mind when
you think of the word “sustainer”?
• A mother with a newborn baby
• An oxygen mask on a very sick patient
• An oasis in a desert
When I visualize a sustainer, my mind’s
eye very clearly sees an individual, a
church, or an organization that regularly
prays for and financially supports
THE WILDS. It might be:
• An individual who is a former camper,
a former or current staff member, a
parent of a camper, or a friend of the
ministry on whom God has laid upon
his or her heart the desire to help
“sustain” this ministry.
• A local church that has brought youth
and/or adult campers and has seen
firsthand how God strengthened their
church by working in the hearts of
their campers at THE WILDS.
• An organization/business that sees
and supports the benefits to society
in general of the many life changing
decisions made by individuals at camp.
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Speaking for our entire staff, I can say
without hesitation that we all thank and
praise God for the faithful, generous,
encouraging, “sustaining” support that
these various individuals, churches, and
organizations so unselfishly provide to
us. Our “Sustainers” are the heartbeat
of and the backbone for the tangible
operation of God’s work through
THE WILDS. With them as co-laborers
together we look to the future with
confidence and eager anticipation of
being used by Him.
If you are a “Sustainer” of
THE WILDS—thank you, thank you,
thank you! If you are not but you
are supportive of what God is doing
through this ministry, I TRUST that you
will prayerfully consider becoming a
“Sustainer” of THE WILDS. A coupon
has been provided on the next page for
this purpose.
[NOTE: If you would like more
information about becoming a
“Sustainer” of THE WILDS or to be
contacted by one of our staff, e-mail us
at [email protected].]
newsletter www.wilds.org
1 Mobile Merchandise Display Rack
4 Throw Ropes • 2 UHF Hike Radios
4 Waterproof Bags for Hike Radios
4 Lifeguard Rescue Tubes
2 Dive Masks and Fins • 5 Land Trolley Harnesses
1 Pressure Washer • 9 Orchestra Music Stands
1 Plug Lockout • 4 Ensemble Mics
THE WILDS Needs
Blood Glucose Meter and Test Strips - $100
Worm Drive Circular Saw - $175
Cardiology Stethoscope (new or used) - $50
Variable-speed Belt Sander $170
Ladder Levelers (6) - $30
Aluminum Framing Square - $12
Hammer Staplers (2) - $33
Builder’s Transit - $700
Heavy Duty Air Hose - $35
Our “Sustainers” are the
I want to help THE WILDS.
heartbeat of and the
Enclosed is a gift toward the cost of the indicated need.
Rev./Dr.
Mr./Mrs./Miss _____________________________
backbone for the tangible
Address _________________________________
operation of God’s work
City ___________________________________
through THE WILDS.
State ______________ Zip _________________
Mail to:
THE WILDS • PO Box 509 • Taylors, SC 29687-0009
YES! I WANT TO BE A SUSTAINER OF THE WILDS!
I pledge the following amount
$150
monthly
quarterly:
$50
$100
$25
Other $ ________________
Rev./Dr./Mr./Mrs./Miss _______________________________________________________________________
Address
_____________________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________ State ____________ Zip ____________________________
(
)
Phone ______________________________
For your convenience, you may use your credit/debit card by entering the requested information below.
MasterCard # _____________________________________________
3-digit credit card
Expiration Date ___________________________________________________verification number _________________
Print your name
as it appears on card _______________________________________ Signature _______________________________
Please charge $ _____________ to my
VISA
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A Couple OF
REASONS
Couples’
Coupl
es’ Conferences
Many campers have commented over the years that THE WILDS is a
very fitting name for this place way out in the middle of nowhere. In fact,
I thought on my first trip to camp as a summer staff member, “These
people must be nuts to live way out here!” Ironically, I have been one of
those nuts for almost 17 years. So why should a married couple come all
this way to a place that seems somewhere near the end of the earth just
for a weekend? Good question. Here are a couple of reasons:
Just like the story of the Sherrards in the first article of this newsletter,
a couple needs time alone together. The adage, “Come apart before you
come apart,” is actually pretty wise advice. The pressures of our fastpaced culture, which include everything from T-ball games to week-long
revival services, often keep couples from having quantity and quality
time together. Actually, the drive to camp itself can provide a good
opportunity to be alone together. Time for communication is crucial;
THE WILDS is the perfect place to find that time.
the plug
By Steve Stodola
Assistant to the Director
THE WILDS
Brevard, North Carolina
Another good reason to come is that we listen better when we aren’t
moving (although, some of us fall asleep when we aren’t moving). Life
proceeds at such a pace that we often have to listen to God and our
family “on the go.” THE WILDS provides the opportunity to slow down,
catch our breath, and listen to God and our spouses.
One final reason is that a Couples’ Conference at THE WILDS is
affordable fun. One of the necessities of marriage is just to have fun
together no matter what you are doing. Whether you take a walk in the
woods together, cruise the lake in a paddleboat, or take a flight together
on the Giant Swing, THE WILDS is packed with fun things to do with
your mate. I believe if you stop and ponder all the things provided in
the program—excellent accommodations, incredible food, practical
preaching, and unique activities—you will find all this fun worthwhile.
Date May 5-7, 2006
These are only a couple of good reasons why THE WILDS is a great
place for every couple to come. For these reasons and more, I invite you
to this place that seems “on the way to nowhere” for one of the most
unforgettable weekends in your marriage!
Speakers Keith & Becca Wiebe
PS: There is still room available in our spring retreat! Call
(864) 331-3293 today for more info or visit us online at www.wilds.org.
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newsletter www.wilds.org
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STAFFnews
Matt and Julie Herbster are happy to announce the arrival of
Jonathan Dean, who was born on December 19, 2005. Jonathan
weighed 10 pounds 14 ounces and was 24 inches long. He is
welcomed home by his siblings: Sarah, Nathan, Abbie, and Anne.
Elisabeth Mair, daughter of Cal and Flo Mair, married Peter
Giegerich on December 16, 2005. Elisabeth worked on summer
staff in North Carolina from 1997 through 2004. Peter was on
the summer staff in North Carolina in 2001 and 2003. Peter and
Elisabeth are living in Greenville, South Carolina, where Peter
works at Greenville Aviation and part-time with the Pickens
County EMS, and Elisabeth is working at Palmetto Prep Child
Care.
Craig and Sophia Stouffer were blessed with a daughter, Aubrey
Lennae, who was born on October 19, 2005. Aubrey weighed 9
pounds 3 ounces and was 20 inches long. She is welcomed home by
big sister Ashley.
WHERE ARE THEY now?
Careers:
LIVINGMEMORIALS Memorial gifts received as of February 28, 2006
The Hays
EDMUND BAUER
March 28-31 ..................................................................THE WILDS
Senior Adult Conference • Brevard, NC
MARGARET BLAIR
April 19-21 ................................................Vienna Bible Conference
Vienna, Austria
ROBERT V. BUTTS
OTTO AND MARIE LEBER
E. CHESTNUT
HOLLY LYNN MAYFIELD
DAVID “AARON” CLARK
ANNA LLOYD NEAL
May 20 ................................................... Fellowship Baptist Church
Family Life Seminar • Thonotosassa, FL
The Hummels
March 31-April 1 ........................................... Trinity Baptist Church
Leadership Conference • Concord, NH
April 2 ............................................................ North Baptist Church
Brockton, MA
April 7-8 .......................................................... Faith Baptist Church
West Virginia Youth Conference • Morgantown, WV
April 21-22 ................................................... Rapidan Baptist Camp
Youth Workers’ Retreat • Rochelle, VA
April 23 (a.m.) .............................................Peoples Baptist Church
Penn Laird, VA
April 23 (p.m.) ................................................Valley Baptist Church
Edinburg, VA
Weddings:
Brian (’87) and Tricia [Snoddy] Bonnema (’86,’87,’88,’89) live in
Greenville, South Carolina, where Brian works for Southern Restorations.
Tricia teaches special education at Hillcrest Middle School. In November
2005, they adopted Tessa Min Yong from China. She was born on 12/3/04.
Laraine Olachea and Philip Buck (’01,’02), 6/11/05.
Jeremy Knight (’99,’00) married Rebecca VanDyke on 12/20/03. They
live in Texas where Jeremy teaches choir and band at McKinney Christian
Academy, while he pursues a master’s in Education from Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary. His wife also teaches in the elementary at the
Academy.
Hannah Jewell (’01,’02) and Scott Shafran, 8/5/05.
Megan McAdams (‘99-’05) graduated from Bob Jones University in December
2005, and is currently traveling with the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team.
ITINERARIES
Chaya Fox (’02,’04) and Thad Berrey, 7/2/05.
Susan Franke (’01) and Samuel Ryan, 7/16/05.
May 7 .......................................................... Mikado Baptist Church
Family Day • Macon, GA
May 21 .......................................... First Baptist Church of Glen Este
Family Day • Glen Este, OH
May 24 .................................................................... Calvary Baptist
Graduation • Decatur, AL
May 26 .................................................... Vandalia Christian School
Graduation • Greensboro, NC
Holly Ferguson (’96,’03) and Erik Johnson, 12/17/05.
The Strohbehns
Suzanne Krueger (’04) and Jonathan Lashley, 12/23/05.
March 16-April 5 .................. Lockport Independent Baptist Church
Lockport, Nova Scotia
Births:
Dave (’72,’73) and Debbie McKean live in Saugus, California. Dave started
a business, Classic Real Estate, two years ago. Debbie is his assistant, after
leaving her teaching position of 14 years. They have two daughters who are
now married, and a son, Andy-age 17, who is still living at home with them.
Jesse (’02,’03) and Natalie Trach, Allie Grace, 8/25/04.
Michael (’96,’98) and Candace [Stephens] Wessberg (’98) are traveling in
full-time evangelism with the Tozour Evangelistic Team. Their first child,
Zachariah Todd, was born on 10/13/05.
Dave (’92) and Shannon Milligan, Anna Elizabeth, 8/16/05.
John and Anna [Brooks] Robinson (’02), Seth David, 8/3/05.
Scott (’97) and Debbie [Cook] Sivnksty (’97), Landon Cole, 8/5/05.
Chris and Kristen [Beattie] Drinnon (’91,’92,’95), Tyler Paul, 10/18/05.
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Gorsline • Mr. and Mrs. Ron Gorsline
Given by: Jerry and Doris Sprout
Given by: Mrs. Elaine G. Stafford
Given by: Mrs. Elaine G. Stafford
Given by: Timothy Artus and Family
ROY AND NANCY CRAWFORD
Given by: Caron Crawford McCracken
ALLAN DAYTON
Given by: Cal and Mary Cooper • Rev. Colin and KayeDee Richards
THOMAS C. DUNCAN
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Joel Nordrum
GLADYS J. EDWARDS
Given by: Dwayne and Susan Albert • Judith Jones
Brian and Deborah Page • John and Delores Weathers
Martha and David Wright
DEBORAH ENGLE
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Allen Brunson
TOMMY FLANAGAN
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Braun • Mr. and Mrs. Willliam Chandler
Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Cummings • Pat and Jim Herndon
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Shelton
ROGER KLINE
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. C. Michael Bailes • The McAdams Family
Gilbert and Lorraine Misner • Nancy H. Prince
The Joe Sute Family • John and Gloria Syme
Given by: Dr. and Mrs. Charles Shafe
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Allen Brunson
Given by: Brian and Rebecca Berrian • Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Eskew
Gene and Lucille Fisher • Walt and Trudy Fremont
Ken and Diane Hay • Susan Holmes • Ethel McCown
Terry and Cheryl Rude • Jerry and Doris Sprout
Paul and Karis Wickensimer
VIOLET OSWALT
Given by: Janet Brauchla • Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Flennery
Tom and Ruth Green • Paul and Marlene Guard • Sue Held
Roland Huff • Bemis and Mary Loucks • John and Judy Marker
Neighbors of Violet Oswalt, Wakarusa, IN
Sherry Oswalt • Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Potterack • Kay Schermier
Ben and Lorraine Strohbehn • Leighton and Arlene Stump
Wendell Suter • Norman and Joan Weber
Evelyn Weldy and Family • Dick and Betty Wichmann
Emma Williams • Gary and Wendy Williams • Annette Wisler
STEPHEN PAGLIUCA
Given by: Mrs. Melissa Pagliuca
FRANCES PARRISH
Given by: Mike and Sharon Wilkie
CALVIN GREEN
JUSTIN RIDLEY
ROBERT HANKINS
SARA SHAFE
Given by: First Emmanuel Baptist Church, Summerville, SC
Given by: Dr. Jennifer Lohse • Rick and Linda Maynard
Sumter Bible Church, Sumter, SC
Scott and Lisa Van Weelden • A. E. Winne
DR. TED HARRIS
Given by: Mrs. Reva Bryson • Ken and Mardi Collier
Matt and Kelly Collier • Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Hall
Ken and Diane Hay • Rich Ladies, THE WILDS, Brevard, NC
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Wooster
GLENN HERSH
Given by: Mrs. Mary B. Hersh
MELVIN KING
Given by: The Senior Ambassadors of Fayetteville Baptist Church ,
Bedford, IN
Given by:
Mrs. Dollye Ridley • John and Susan Ridley • Mr. and Mrs. Jack Parker
Given by: Dr. and Mrs. Charles Shafe
CHRISTIANA SHEPHERD
Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Allen Brunson
DELMA RAY “DICK” SIMMONS
Given by: Rich Ladies, THE WILDS, Brevard, NC
MIKE SIMPSON
Given by: F. L. Simpson
GIFTS GIVEN IN HONOR OF:
PAUL AND KARIS WICKENSIMER
Given by: Allan and Mary Jeffery
Honor a loved one or friend with a Living Memorial gift to THE WILDS.
In Memory Of:
Rev./Dr./Mr./Mrs./Miss _______________________________________________________________________
Please send card to:
Rev./Dr./Mr./Mrs./Miss _______________________________________________________________________
Evan (’93,’94,’95,’96,’97,’98,’99,’00) and Natalie [Bailie] Collier (’96,’97,’98,’99),
Priscilla Rose, 10/19/05.
Address ________________________________________________________________________________
Former Staff, help us keep updated on your career moves,
marriage, and children! Send announcements to:
Aaron (’96,’97,’98,’99,’00,’01,’02) and Naomi [Threlfall] Collier (’99,’00,’01),
Esther Noelle, 12/10/05.
Given by:
Rev./Dr./Mr./Mrs./Miss _______________________________________________________________________
THE WILDS, Where Are They Now?
PO Box 509, Taylors, SC 29687-0009
or e-mail formerstaff@wilds.org.
Jeremy (’94,’95,’96,’97,’98,’00,’01) and Jenn [Zockoll] Mair (’98,’99), Elijah
Joseph, 2/11/06.
Address ________________________________________________________________________________
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newsletter www.wilds.org
City __________________________________________________ State _________ Zip ________________
City __________________________________________________ State _________ Zip ________________
Phone ________________________________________________________________________________
THE WILDS Living Memorials • PO Box 509 • Taylors, SC 29687-0009
newsletter www.wilds.org
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WHAT’S GOIN’ ON... Results from Service Doors and The Heart of It All Fundraisers
s p ri n g 2 0 06
newsletter
PO Box 509
Taylors, SC 29687-0009
Address Service Requested