MINISTRY MASTER PLAN PHASE ONE: WAGON TRAIN RENOVATION
Over the past few months, the staff and Board of Directors have been busy envisioning a new Ministry Master Plan for the next season of Hume’s ministry. This next plan, encompassing about 10 years into the future, allows us to be more effective stewards of the resources that you, our donors, entrust to our care.

I was recently meditating on the “Parable of the Talents” in Matthew 25. One of the principles that stood out from this passage was that God expects His people to make worthy and wise investments with His resources. The slaves that received the rewards were the ones that used their Master’s money with entrepreneurial expertise. It begs the question, “How are we investing our Master’s resources to make the largest return?”

One area we see phenomenal spiritual return on our investment is Wagon Train, our camp for kids ages 8-11. This camp was started back in 1963. Kids live in covered wagons, enjoy creek walks, explore a frontier-era fort and discover a three-story tree house. It is a virtual wonderland of adventure.

For many Wagon Train campers, it is also the first time they have heard the gospel message presented in a way that is age-appropriate and relevant to the way they live. As a result, a large percentage of these campers make first-time decisions for Christ during their week at camp.

I wish you could listen in during the evening campfire on the last night of camp and hear them share their stories. Some would make you stand up and cheer as they announce their decision to be “all in” in their relationship with Christ. Spiritual victories are declared and new life in Christ has begun. Knowing many of them will never be the same again sends a chill up my spine. I smile as I think of the difference these decisions will make in eternity.

However, stories from other campers would break your heart. The pain that many of them bring to camp seems overwhelming. They share stories of parents who have recently divorced, grandparents who are dying of cancer, siblings in jail, relatives fighting overseas in Iraq and friends who are in gangs. These are heavy burdens for such little kids to carry at such an early age. Looking at them you would never know how much pain many of them bring to camp.

Knowing what these campers are going home to the next morning makes me grateful that they had the opportunity to come to camp. At least at Wagon Train, for one brief week in their lives, they had the opportunity to leave their concerns behind and live carefree lives as young children.

For close to 50 years, Wagon Train has been a place where young children have heard the gospel message presented with clarity. After so many years of high impact use, it is time we focus our efforts on providing a thorough renovation of this camp. Wagons that have endured the hardship of winter snows and summer heat are showing signs of fatigue. The Outpost building no longer accommodates the larger camps that we currently house. When it rains our campers are forced to huddle under a large outdoor tent for their meetings. Our kitchen, comprised of five semi-trailers, desperately needs a facelift. All these elements have served their purpose well, but are in need of significant improvement and deferred maintenance.

Our goal in the coming year is to renovate the Outpost, create an indoor meeting area with climate control and build a new stage area. We want to add a new outdoor dining pavilion and place a new façade around our kitchen. We also want to expand the recreational field and double the size of the pond around Fort Logan. These efforts will continue to make the Wagon Train experience one that will last for a lifetime.

I invite you to consider partnering with us as we focus our 2012 priority on Wagon Train. This is our first Ministry Master Plan project. The time and money spent upgrading this ministry resource will reap huge dividends in light of Christ’s “Parable of the Talents.”

Thank you for considering making an investment in the lives of our next generation. The gift that you provide will go a long way toward making a week of camp, a truly life-changing experience.

Support the Wagon Train Renovation by giving online.