WSS December '11 Ministry Report

"I am inspired; I've been searching for God's direction in my life. Now I'm feeling more prepared to pursue it."-- active-duty officer

"The lessons were life changing. The schedule was perfect. The staff and all the processes were Christ ordered, centered. Can't thank you enough."-- OCF wife, mother

"This gave us time to separate from the hustle of daily life, read, nap, meet other Christians, focus on the fullness of Christmas. I really enjoyed the Open House at the old lodge. --wife, mother attendee

Objective 1.3

Identify, communicate, and implement programs and culturally relevant methods across OCF that meet biblically sound fellowship needs and enhance personal growth and effective ministry outreach.

December mainly involved preparing for and conducting the three WSS Winter Retreat sessions. Overall attendance this year was up by 70% over 2010's winter retreat, with a total of 373 guests (88 families and 10 singles) and 14 winter staff. This was a great praise to our God not only for the numbers but for the significant ministry that took place in the name of Christ!

Winter Retreat #1 ran 22-26 December, was attended by over 100 folks, a 52% increase in camper days over last year. Guests enjoyed special events such as caroling in the cove, a manger service in the Promise barn, Open House at Harrison House and Cochran Cottage, the Christmas Eve Festival of talent, Christmas Buffet Feast and wonderful teaching (Romans 8 Christmas) by Pastor Joe Batluck, Jr.

The second Winter Retreat, 26-30 December, featured speaker Pastor Greg St. Cyr who brought messages and discussion centered around "Kairos Moments", that is, when God breaks into our lives and gives us opportunity to be transformed for Him and change our trajectory as a result of observing, reflecting, discussing, planning, gaining accountability and then acting upon His leading. In addition to the spiritually building times, guests were offered horseback riding, climbing loft, Open House at Harrison House and Cochran Cottage, line/square dancing and fun 'family hours'. Many hours of just simple fellowship characterized this retreat that was attended by about 130 people, an increase in camper days of 66%.

Winter Retreat #3 was the largest ever, topping out at 150 guests, a 101% increase in camper days over 2010. With guests and staff counted, all 28 dining room tables were occupied! Chaplain (USN Ret.) Mark Jumper was the speaker and brought a practical series of talks on "The Christ Campaign—Crossing the Line of Departure" where we were challenged to evaluate what God has done in 2011 and cross the line of departure to where He is calling us to engage for His kingdom in the military society. Guests enjoyed horseback riding, line/square dance, New Year's Eve campfire and fireworks and the great fellowship of WSS staff and our faithful winter staffers.

We are very thankful for the college-age winter staff who helped us conduct this year's Winter Retreat. They were: Rebeca Laurindo (Brazil), Janine McCormick, Rebecca Orosz, Kristina Rehberg, Kathryn Rehberg, Amee Aseltine, Alex Aseltine, Brian Livingston, Carrie Ann Bowden, Alex McGuffey, Jenny Hempen, Heather Campbell, Abby Graves and Josh Thompson. Our own Paul Lundblad and Josh Johnson led the musical worship each gathering and greatly enhanced the spiritual experience throughout the Winter Retreat. Fred Bryan and Aaron Thomas kept the facility, treatment plant and horse program in great shape for the 2-week heavy usage period. The rest of the staff and ministry team did a great job of welcoming, hosting and leading meals and blessings. All in all, this was one of the most spiritually impacting events of Marty's and my tenure at White Sulphur Springs, and we thank God for His amazing work among us.

Objective 4.1

Develop realistic, quantifiable, and targeted metrics: linkages between budget and objectives, between contributions and strategy that will guide staff ministry and emphasize financial accountability across OCF.

We finished the year 2011 slightly in the red, mainly because of the large expenses for new supplies and equipment associated with the start up of ministry operations in the new Heritage House. As we analyzed the seven months of utilization of Heritage House, we have adjusted our 2012 rates slightly to help offset the increased expense. It will probably take two full years of operation in Heritage House before we get an accurate picture of the proper balance between income and expenses. Until then, we are taking conservative steps regarding expenses and increasing our emphasis on marketing the use of the conference center among regional church retreat groups.

Objective 4.3

Successfully execute the OCF Growing and Building Campaign, achieving all Phase 1 and 2 objectives

I was able to present the Growing & Building campaign's Spring Canyon Phase, to all the participants at our three Winter Retreat sessions.

Cultivate consistent year-round use of the conference centers.

We started the month with the local Bedford County Garden Club's Home Tour which featured Heritage House as the final "stop for tea." Several hundred community citizens came through and experienced the warmth and beauty of the new facility and the wonderful live decorations placed by garden club members. The next weekend we hosted our own WSS Open House which brought even more friends, neighbors and business associates to visit and hear Christmas music by the BHS Varsity Singers and Penny McIntyre of "The Baby Boomers."

Objective 4.5

Establish a fully integrated active duty, family, and retiree volunteer training and management program for installations' ministries of outreach and service.

Nothing to report.

Other Ministry Events

Four of us on WSS staff were blessed to attend the CCCA National Gathering at Ridgecrest Conference Center in N. Carolina this month. Fred Bryan, Dailey Chandler, Karen Henderson and myself drove down on a Sunday and experienced a great four days of seminars, general sessions and wonderful praise and fellowship with about 1,000 other Christian camping professionals. It was a great time of learning, brainstorming and envisioning regarding the WSS ministry into the future. We had the extra blessing of seeing and spending lots of time with Dan Bragdon, our former Youth Programs Director and now Director of Ministries at Pine Valley Bible Camp near San Diego, CA. Dan was a tremendous blessing when he was here with us and continues to serve God wholeheartedly there at PVBC. We met his boss and E.D. Steve Daniels too.

Prayer Requests

Pray for all our troops, especially our wounded warriors -- wounds physical as well as emotional, psychological and spiritual. Pray for our military marriages in the face of the hardships of deployments and combat stress. Pray for all military ministries as they reach out to help healing.

Pray for all those who attended Winter Retreats at WSS, that would overflow in service for Christ in the military in the new year.

Please continue to pray for our son H to find his place of service/employment following graduation from GWU's PA program.

Please pray for Josh Dittmar and Christa as Josh is now settled in Turkey for his year-long unaccompanied tour.

Pray for Joy and Evan in Colorado Springs that God would order their steps in their marriage, work and family.

Pray for Aaron and Lynsey as they head to N. Ireland for a visit with Lynsey's parents.

Rejoicing in the Savior,
Clay Thomas