A good verse that I recently shared with a former staffer is
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
I like that verse here at year-end as it is a reminder that a harvest is coming, so we need to keep up the good work. If you’re serving the Lord, the same goes for you…keep it up. The proper time for that harvest is around the corner. Press on.
Many years ago Frontier Camp adopted a set of core values. I want to take this opportunity to let you know what keeps us working in the harvest field and how we are advancing those values:
Sound Doctrine—God’s Word is at the core of what we do. If there is one thing we would want our campers to walk away with after a week or a weekend of camp, it would be an excitement for the Bible and the desire to read it for themselves. If you want to see and hear this in action, check this out on our Facebook page from this past summer’s Angel Tree Week. You’ll be glad you did.
Above Reproach—I looked up the definition of reproach, and it is this: something that causes or merits blame, rebuke, or disgrace. The sample sentence after this definition was, “You have brought reproach on our family.” Doesn’t it make your stomach turn to think about bringing blame, rebuke or disgrace on your family? How much more so on the cause of Christ? Frontier Camp’s desire is that all of our programs, business dealings, and personnel (whether on or off the clock) are all above reproach. This starts with our staff, the most visible of which is our summer staff. Each applicant is carefully interviewed by one of our full-time staffers trained to look for red flags. We do not compromise on staff screening as it is front-line protection of our number one asset: our campers and guests.
Practicing Excellence—I sometimes struggle with the pursuit of excellence. Often a shortcut looks more appealing and might even save the camp resources. One of the ways Frontier Camp practices excellence is maintaining our status as an accredited camp with the American Camp Association. There is a good deal of money and time that must be expended in order to be an accredited camp and that is why very few camps pursue it. We’ve been doing it since the 1970s and will continue to do so.
Sound Stewardship—We hire an outside firm to annually audit our finances. Our most recent audit was conducted onsite so the firm could have direct access to our records, staff and physical assets. Frontier Camp has no long-term debt and we are committed to financial transparency. If you are thinking about year-end giving, I can vouch for Frontier Camp as a worthy recipient that will steward your gift well.
Ministry Partnerships—Frontier Camp is not a church and, in fact, we exist to come alongside of and to serve the church. This past year we served 51 different churches and Christian ministries here for a retreat. Additionally, we continue to nurture a 16-year relationship with Prison Fellowship Ministries for Angel Tree camping, an 11-year partnership with Haitian pastor Gersan Valcin at Jacob’s Well Camp in Haiti, and a 2-year relationship with Psalm68Five Ministries reaching fatherless children.
These values are at the core of what we do. They have steered us well for close to five decades and we will abide by them in 2018 and beyond if the Lord allows it. The outdoor camp experience with the purpose of making disciples of Jesus is needed now more than ever. Thank you for being part of the Frontier Camp Family and for helping us to uphold and carry out these core values.