Houston, We Have A Problem

 
While we're not Apollo 13, we do have a problem here at Camp Evergreen.  Our 2016 Family Camp filled up in just three days.  Our summer camp registrations are significantly ahead of last year and we're on track to turn over 200 campers away this year, simply because we have no room. 

Guest groups have grown steadily over the past six years and we're turning guest group after guest group away.

I'm thankful for our problem.  It tells me that we are doing a good job portraying and representing Jesus Christ to our lost world.  It tells me that we have a strong community of "Camp Evergreeners" surrounding, supporting and uplifting us.  It also tells me that we have a great staff who love God and love our guests and campers. 

And here's the good news...we have a solution to that problem!  Our Reaching Higher campaign addresses our need for space and will allow us to continue changing individual lives for the next 50 years.

Reaching Higher includes two much needed staff homes as well as the new lodge.  We've been short a permanent staff home for over four years, and with our growing permanent staff we really feel that need.

What excites me the most about Reaching Higher is not the new buildings, but the incredible ministry potential those buildings will give us.  Currently we are limited by beds, dining space and meeting areas.  The new lodge will allow us to expand our guest group ministry as well as the retreats and programming that we run.  We will be able to host marriage retreats, single family retreats and even the ABMB Conference!  A new lodge will allow us to grow summer camp!

We have a unique opportunity to portray the life changing message of the Gospel to each and every guest who comes through our gate.  Traditionally 40% of our summer campers every summer are from a non-church back ground.  When we continue to give guests a good experience, they want to come back as campers or send their children as campers.  That is exciting.  That is powerful.

And it all comes down to a simple goal - sharing the life changing Good News of Jesus Christ to every one of our campers and staff. 

So yes, a new lodge will be nice, there's no question there.  But far more important than the building is the potential it gives us to accomplish our mission - to see individual lives, like John, transformed by the power of Jesus.

Now is the time for you to reach higher!

Bob "Ranger" Kroeker
Executive Director