ILA Communications

Welcome

2007-06-08T18:15:00.001-07:00

A firm believer in the power of words, I treasure opportunities to breathe life into sentences and paragraphs, communicating poignant messages. Whether your publication needs some polishing or your organization is in need of a press release, I can help you use words to speak to your audience clearly and concisely. Please contact me, Alison Phillips, if you're interested in seeing how I may be able to assist you in your writing or editing project.

About ILA Communications

2007-06-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

ILA Communications is committed to offering excellence in the written word, empowering organizations to reach their readers with clarity and professionalism.

As a writer and editor, I will work with you to communicate in your own unique style and voice that your readers recognize, while applying my expertise and solid journalism principles to make your piece appealing and engaging.

To read some of my published articles and book reviews, click the links on the right. Scroll down for additional information about my journalism expertise: Learn about the publications for which I have written and edited, the types of projects I've completed, and a little bit about my background.

You can return to the homepage at any time by clicking on the header.

Starting Fresh: How one couple staged a dramatic camp comeback

2007-05-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

This article was published in InSite.

It was Valentine’s Day in 2004 when Stan and Valeri Walker fell in love—with Hartstone Bible Camp in Potter Valley, California.

And the camp, which has been in operation since the mid-60s, needed it. Old computers, appliances, vehicles, and other misfit debris were scattered throughout the property. Cabins were sagging and buildings were unattractive and in bad need of repair. Other more hidden aspects of the camp, like finances, strategy, and reputation, were in dire condition.

Dave Ferguson, adult ministries pastor at Santa Rosa Bible Church, where the Walkers attended, knew the couple was supporting the camp financially and took them up to see it for themselves. Both had visited the camp at some point—Valeri had decided to follow Christ as a child there—but neither had been in more recent years.

It’s a good thing he did. That February day at the camp was the beginning of an answer to prayer.

“On November 11, 2002, I wrote a prayer: ‘Lord, let something that would be really fulfilling find me,” Stan says.

Over the last two years, Stan and Valeri, a couple with little camp experience, have taken the challenge to follow God’s call and transform the ministry from the outside in.

From the Ground Up
The Walkers’ adult camp experience totaled taking their kids to a family camp with no specific faith focus for 10 years.

“The reality is that we really had no camping background,” Stan says. “But the more Valeri and I talked about it and the more we prayed about it, [we realized] God had brought us there for a reason. We didn’t need to figure it out; we just needed to be faithful.”

Looking back, the couple can see how God prepared them for the volunteer directing position.
Stan owns a construction business, which had readied him for much-needed repair work at the camp and given him financial resources to be able to direct on a volunteer basis. Valeri, who is gifted in administration, has done extensive volunteer work in local schools, such as organizing large fund raisers. Both, their pastors say, are great with people.

“We just started looking at each other and saying, ‘Have you ever thought about doing something different?’” Valeri says.

After their first camp visit, “we saw that we could make a difference just in helping up there,” Stan says.

Hartstone had been a year without a director and programs were dwindling when the camp invited Stan to be on the board. In October of 2004, the couple was asked to take on the director position. This wasn’t an easy decision; Stan had planned to retire in seven years. But as they were encouraged by industry experts from CCCA, and as they relied on God for direction, the couple knew it was right.

“It almost felt like the Lord had tapped us on the shoulder: ‘I have blessed you, I have trained you, I have gifted you—now go serve me,’” Stan says. “Clearly, it was time to give back to the Lord in ways we could have never imagined.”

Cleanup Time
Since taking the directorship, Stan and Valeri have made some dramatic changes on the property. Perhaps the biggest has been the cleanup efforts.

While people describing the camp say they don’t wish to condemn past leaders, they can’t help but notice the difference the couple has made.

“I tallied up all the debris that was taken off the camp to clean it up, and there were over 100 tons,” says Dave, who served on the Hartstone Bible Camp board recently for a short time. “Stan and Valeri made things happen. They’ve cleaned it up, and it’s just beautiful. People are using words like pristine.”

Dave, who calls the Hartstone camp setting ideal, says the gentle slope, hills, and scenic views are a major strength of the ministry. Cutting away dead trees and clearing out a large quantity of poison oak accentuated the property’s beauty.

With help, the Walkers cleaned and hauled away truckloads of junk, thankful for Stan’s business equipment. In cabins, they painted, fixed broken items, inserted screens, and replaced broken windows.

Then, they began to make small improvements to make consistency part of the site. For example, they removed varied signs and put ones up that were similar, and added directional arrows around the camp. They also inserted unique touches, such as an old wooden wagon as a sign holder.

“I like to do creative things, and that makes it fun, and gives the camp some character,” Valeri says.

Extra Help
In order to accomplish the colossal task of cleaning up the camp and getting it on its feet again, Stan and Valeri recruited dozens of volunteers.

“[The Walkers] set a climate of inclusiveness; people want to help,” Dave says.

To gather volunteers, Stan and Valeri made a presentation at their church, and had sign-ups for work parties. Individuals cooked, cleaned, made repairs, and donated heavy equipment. They also staffed the camp during the summer.

“I know that I have a gift of exhortation,” Stan says. “I’m an encourager, and I know that I can share a vision and people can get it.”

Along with Stan’s encouragement and Valeri’s organizational skills, the couple’s enthusiasm was contagious.

“Stan’s an eternal optimist and can really see the good that can be there,” says Stan Willis, president of the Hartstone board. “That’s helped lift us along. He’s been able to maintain the focus on what can be done and what needs to be done. He can see the diamond in the rough.”

Mission Possible
As they peeled away debris and spruced up buildings and grounds, the Walkers realized there was a deeper issue. The camp had attempted to reach everyone, and in doing so had reached very few. It was time for a change.

“We’ve definitely re-centered our thinking,” Stan Willis says. “We’re making family camp—parents with their kids—our primary objective. It’s not a youth camp, although we certainly can provide that. Our goal is to reach [church] families and be there for families to reconnect and get together in the beauty and quiet.”

The new mission statement reads, “Strengthening traditional family values and enhancing church unity by providing a natural environment where the work of the Holy Spirit will change lives for the glory of God.”

The camp isn’t complex—and the Walkers like it that way. They believe the activities offered on the riverfront property, such as hiking, campfire singing, rope swinging, archery, fishing, tubing, and sand volleyball, can be instrumental in drawing families together and closer to God as they leave the city and its trappings behind.

“They have taken [Hartstone] on as kind of an extension of their home,” the board president says. “I think that’s what’s going to make family camp successful.”

Now that the mission is established, the board is working to establish three-, five-, and ten-year plans.

New Friends
In addition to having clear direction, the Walkers were aware that building relationships was vital for the camp’s success. Previously, neighbors had been standoffish at best, and the group of independent Bible churches—the IFCA—to which the camp belongs was limited in the amount of support it could provide.

“The camp had lost over the years some of the people, and some of the churches that would regularly go,” Stan Willis says. “So we’ve got to convince people to come try it again.”

Visits to neighbors accompanied by invitations to see the new and improved camp—including food that now gets rave reviews—helped begin to mend relationships. The Walkers also asked area pastors to stop by, and encouraged people from non-IFCA congregations to come to camps sponsored by Santa Rosa Bible Church.

“Neighbor relations have gone from adversarial to pleasant, just because of the attitude of the directors and board,” Dave says.

Order
The Walkers knew that other issues that guests didn’t see were also in desperate need of attention. They and the board made a substantial effort to be certain of good financial standing in terms of bills, taxes, and the like, which wasn’t the case a couple of years ago. A board member who is a banker has been very instrumental in this process.

In addition, the board itself has been gradually revamped as various members moved off. Today, the members are those who have stepped up since the Walkers began leading the ministry. The directors are working to build up the board with more members.

“No director or board member could do this on his or her own,” Stan says. “We must be a team.”

* * *

As the Walkers continue to reach families and steadily improve the property, they admit there are challenges ahead. There are water system problems, a reputation to strengthen, potential guests to reach, and volunteers to constantly recruit.

And falling in love with Hartstone hasn’t been easy. Both Stan and Valeri have made substantial sacrifices and run into rough spots along the way.

But to them, it will be worth every step of the journey.“We had many campers come up and say, ‘This place feels good,’” Stan says of a summer program. “It’s contagious. The joy and laughter was just amazing to experience.”

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell

2007-05-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

This book review was published in Christian Single.

Armed with a Julia Child cookbook and driven by a desire to put some zest in her ho-hum existence as a secretary, Julie Powell sets out on the Project. In just one year, she beats, mixes, and sautés her way through the 524 complex recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Weaved into her culinary experiments is her life in Queens with her husband, relatives, coworkers, and close friends—as well as strangers with whom she interacts on the blog created to chronicle her adventure. With humor, vibrancy, and raw honesty, the author describes hunting for rare ingredients, tackling kitchen catastrophes, meeting the media, and contemplating the meaning of turning 30.

As she battles failure and celebrates success in her apartment kitchen and in her life, she discovers passion and purpose that accomplishment in the face of formidable odds brings.

God is the Gospel by John Piper

2007-05-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

This book review was published in Christian Single.

To John Piper, the gospel is a glittering, multifaceted jewel, ablaze with truth and life. In God is the Gospel, he explores various aspects of the Good News, but emphasizes that the single most important element of this truth is God Himself. “The ultimate good of the gospel is seeing and savoring the beauty and value of God,” he writes.

Piper explores the glory of the Trinity as paramount to the message of redemption, urging readers not to get so caught up in the personal benefits of salvation that they neglect to recognize the God Who made it possible. He also highlights implications of this reality for the Christian journey, pointing readers toward a life that displays God’s glory in word and deed.

While no discussion questions are provided, this in-depth examination of the gospel lends itself well to devotional reading or small-group studies.

At a Career Crossroads?

2007-05-18T11:58:00.001-07:00

This article was published in Christian Single.

To Bill Phillips, there was no question. A natural at math and science, his career path seemed clear: engineering. After college, he landed a job in his field, and life continued on its comfortable trajectory. Then a slow economy prompted the fear of a layoff and got him thinking about where his true desire for work lay.

Phillips decided to go in a new direction: toward his passion for real estate. Two years later, that risk has paid off. He owns a successful real estate firm in Colorado.

Like Phillips, many people find themselves at a crossroads in their careers. After sacrificing years and thousands of dollars for training, degrees, and internships, they’re in jobs that pay the bills, but they still find themselves asking, What do I really want to be when I grow up?

“Life is too short to be in something for a long period of time when you really feel that it’s offtrack,” says Dan Miller, author of 48 Days to the Work You Love.

There will always be days when you wake up and don’t want to go to work. But you spend more than a third of your waking hours on the job, so if the daily grind is rubbing your soul raw, then it’s time to make a change.

More than a Paycheck
By definition, work won’t always be easy, but it can – and should – be rewarding.

The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare, meaning to call or to summon. Your vocation is about more than a paycheck; it’s about how you invest your life.

Frederick Buechner said, “The place that God calls us is that place where the world’s deep hunger and our deep desire meet.” The key is to figure out what that intersection could look like in your life.

The great part is that you can fulfill that calling in a number of ways. If, for example, you feel called to serve as a picture of Christ’s love for people, you might be a coach, social worker, physical therapist, or even a writer. Or if you believe you are called to help guide others, you might be an accountant, a counselor, or a professional organizer.

Whatever career path you choose to travel, God, as the author of work, has a unique purpose for you – one you can fulfill with joy.

Miller points out that the words work and worship both come from the Hebrew word avodah. “Everything we do is service to God,” he says, “including our daily work, whatever that may be.” The Apostle Paul echoes that idea in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.”

“It’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind,” says Barb Woytek, who switched from a career in the medical field to administrative work. “God places us in jobs and careers where He can be most glorified in and through our lives.”

Taking Care of Business
If you sense a growing dissatisfaction in your current job, consider making a switch. Here are five steps to get you on the right path to the work you love:

Take a look at yourself. Miller says about 85 percent of a successful career move is looking inward. Deciding on a new direction begins with an examination of your gifts, goals, passions, and personality. “When we are not true to ourselves, to our unique God-given characteristics,” he says, “we lose the power of authenticity, creativity, imagination, and innovation. Our life becomes performance-based.”

If you need an outside perspective, mentors, parents, pastors, and friends can help you see your unique qualities and passions. Personality-, skill-, and gift-testing tools are also available online at sites like Geocities.com.

Miller recommends reminding yourself why you chose your career path in the first place; this may have little to do with the required technical competencies or working environment and more to do with helping people, learning constantly, or having variety on the job.
Create a transition plan. Miller suggests setting a few major goals and preparing to take action. Think about where you’d like to be five years from now in terms of your career and also your quality of life.

Ask yourself: What is the purpose of this change? When do I hope to make this move? What resources will I need to accomplish this? Whom should I contact? What are the potential benefits and challenges?
Narrow your options. Armed with a good idea of your competencies and personality, brainstorm several career ideas.

Narrow them down to a reasonable list and commit to exploring those options. Shadow an individual working in a field you’re interested in, attend an event for professionals in a potential career, talk with people in your hopeful job, or sign up for a class related to your desired field.

If you’re still short on ideas, volunteer at an organization to explore your passion for certain positions. Or network at local job fairs and other community events to meet people with a variety of passions. You may discover career paths that you had never even considered.

Be open-minded also. You may, for example, conclude that part-time or freelance work allows you to pursue an activity you love while still holding onto a steady paycheck.

Finally, carefully consider your reasons for a change, Miller says. Trendy, new jobs may sound exciting or profitable, but if you would, for example, love to employ your creative gifts in landscaping, it would make no sense to turn to Web design. Also, beware of transitioning just because someone else has a plan laid out for you or because you feel another position would provide a fatter income.
Seek skills. Consider the type of training you might need. But know that formal education is often unnecessary in light of your current skills and future on-the-job training.

Professionals who have switched careers say even though they don’t always use the technical skills they had honed in their previous position, other competencies they had sharpened – such as patience, learning from mistakes, and problem-solving – have been invaluable. And people skills, Miller says, often transcend degrees in the job market.
Make the move. No matter what you choose, surrounding yourself with people who can encourage you often helps. Through your local chamber of commerce, church, or other community organization, find an experienced individual in your field who’s willing to provide advice as you make a switch. And ask a trusted friend or mentor to help keep you focused on your goals.

While it’s normal to struggle with fear of failure, the uncertainty of change, finances, and other issues, Miller recommends focusing on the positive, rather than negative, aspects of a past position or your fear about the future to generate confidence and enthusiasm. Change isn’t easy, but it’s like a brick, he says: You can either use it to build or to break.

“Be careful about focusing on what you’re coming from,” Miller adds. “Be clear on what you’re moving toward.”

Havens of Hope: Camps extend aid and love to hurting hurricane victims

2007-05-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

This article was published in InSite.

On a Friday evening, Ed and Laura Phillips shouldn’t be laughing. They’ve been forced out of their home in the New Orleans area and into temporary housing more than 200 miles away. Hurricane Katrina’s vicious winds and rain left their house intact, but they can’t go home. There’s no electricity. There’s looting. There’s no work. They would fear for their safety and for that of their children, Paige, 8, and Brandon, 4.

But smiles widen their faces as they relax and swap good-humored stories with other members of their church, Iglesia Bautista Horeb, who evacuated with them.

“It’s been like one big happy family here,” Laura says, perched on a couch on the second floor of Dry Creek Baptist Camp’s The White House lodge.

At Louisiana’s Dry Creek and at dozens of camps across the Gulf States and beyond, families like the Phillips found not just shelter and food but a home and hope. Ministries opened their gates and their hearts to hundreds of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita evacuees, extending their reach beyond paid guest groups to those who couldn’t repay them with anything but gratitude.

First Response
When Hurricane Katrina began hurtling toward the Louisiana coast, Dry Creek Baptist Camp was on its off week. Most of the full-time staff members were vacationing out of state, resting and spending time with family after a demanding summer. Project Manager David Baham and his wife, Derinda, as well as Bookkeeper Janet Bogard were there when the phone started ringing August 27—and kept ringing all day and into the night.

“Please, Miss Janet, say yes,” a caller would say.

“What’s the question?”

“Can we come stay?”

The staff weren’t surprised by the calls; they had had evacuees stay with them several times in the past. What they weren’t expecting was such a long stay. And at times, there were more than 400 evacuees on site.

“It’s definitely worth it. It’s what Jesus would do,” Janet says. “I don’t think He would sit around and weigh the pros and cons. I don’t think He would call a board meeting—not when people are calling.”

Fifty miles east, in Eunice, Louisiana, Acadian Baptist Center also didn’t hesitate to take in refugees.

“It’s what we’re supposed to be about. We’re here to spread the love of God,” says Peggy Watson, administrative assistant at Acadian. “If we can’t do that now, I think we’ve kind of missed the point.”

So Great a Need
When evacuees arrived, the needs were tremendous.

Debi Morris of Judson Baptist Retreat Center in Louisiana, which hosted health-care workers and displaced Coca-Cola employees, said evacuees walked onto the property agitated, anxious, nervous, and in a defensive mode.

The retreat center took advantage of the advance notice of the refugees’ visit they had received to prepare Scripture verses and gift baskets for each evacuee’s room.

“One of the women from Coca-Cola walked into the room and burst into tears,” Debi says. “She said, ‘This is where I need to be.’”

Staff at the camps rallied to provide support. They listened to exhaustingly constant questions and fears and tales of stormy horror from their new visitors—some had driven hours in gridlocked traffic; others had spent time clinging to roofs, fighting off looters, or sleeping on a bridge. Many had lost everything.

“You can’t really share the gospel if you don’t care about the individual,” says Acadian Manager James Newsom. “When you welcome them and love them [by caring for their physical needs], then they see Jesus in you.”

Many camps went far beyond offering the necessary food and shelter. They had doctors and counselors visit, provided transportation to local schools, and arranged for recreation such as swimming and horseback riding. Dry Creek even hosted a Labor Day celebration, complete with fireworks and a barbecue.

“These people have treated us better than family. They’ve worked day and night,” Laura says. “They have T-shirts that on the back say ‘Christlike.’ They deserve to wear them.”

One Saturday, Dry Creek offered a canoe trip, but fewer than expected signed up. The reason: Several wanted to show their gratitude by working on projects around the camp.

“The maintenance director from LSU gave us hugs and cried when he left,” James says of one evacuee. “He said to me in Spanish, ‘My home is your home.’”

The Basics
While the needs were many, the camps narrowed their focus to what they perceived was most important.

Communication was key. Public announcements and phone messages were communicated at meals and on message boards. At Dry Creek, the local phone company provided four additional lines for evacuees to call relatives, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Red Cross. And the area library loaned a bookmobile containing several computers with Internet connectivity. Dry Creek Director Curt Iles and his staff even published a daily newspaper for the first week and a half the refugees were on the property.

To maintain order, foster communication, and sort out problems, Curt held regular “town meetings” with representatives from each major group of evacuees. And Judson’s staff were assisted in communication and other needs by employees from Coca-Cola’s Camp Coke.

Also vital was security. Camps worked with local law enforcement and security companies, making the safety of all a priority. Curt, for example, met regularly with county officials to keep on top of the situation and the evacuees’ needs. Clear guidelines, including curfew requirements, were handed out to each evacuee staying at Acadian.

Finally, camp staff used their connections to ensure there was adequate medical aid. Dry Creek asked their summer nurses and an EMT from a local church, among others, to assist with evacuees’ health needs, while Acadian had, in addition to other medical support, a team come from the Mayo Clinic.

Team Unity
As they met the needs, camp employees learned that staff unity was essential. At Dry Creek, Curt drew up a plan that illustrated which staff members would handle what aspects of the evacuee operation. He arranged who would take what time off—which was precious little at first for anyone.

The situation was similar at Acadian, where James quickly switched staff to roles where they were most needed.

“The staff has just been fantastic,” James says. “At first they just wanted to volunteer and help all day and all week.”

It was similar, Janet says, to having summer camp all over again—but without the staff and without the weekends off. This did not go unnoticed.

“Even in the midst of all the storms we’ve gone through, the love of God is ever present around here,” says Yvette Martin, an evacuee who lost everything but was using her master’s in social work to minister to others staying at Acadian. “You can always get an encouraging word from someone here—always.”

Community Care
Reaching out into the unknown of hurricane evacuees—some arriving with fellow church members and others with parole officers—took faith and courage, even though some staff had assisted with short-term shelter in past storms.

“It’s taken us out of our comfort zone,” Peggy at Acadian says. “It’s opened our eyes to meeting the needs, whenever, wherever they are—and not standing in judgment.”

But camp staff say they couldn’t have done it alone. Local community members and people across the nation stepped up to offer assistance.

“I felt a little nervousness in the community when this started,” James says, adding that some locals were concerned for their safety. But this was soon overshadowed by “the overwhelming love and support from people in the community and around the country.”

At Acadian, a big room featured school supplies, clothing, and more—free for the taking. And at Dry Creek, named “City of Hope” by staff, truckloads of supplies arrived, some of which had to be turned away because there was simply no more room. The staff converted their snack shop and gift shop into a “store,” in which they gave away items from shoes to shampoo for any evacuees who needed them.

Other community members offered funds—canceled guest groups had significant financial ramifications for the camps—or services. Volunteers at Dry Creek found jobs and more permanent housing for displaced individuals. A clown entertained kids one night, a manicurist stopped by to pamper women and girls, and locals did evacuees’ laundry.

At Acadian, an area church brought air jumpers as an after-school surprise for the kids. The Red Cross arrived on the scene to provide further aid.

Camp staff feel that the disaster drew the community and the camps together, breaking down barriers and informing locals about the ministries.

“[The relief efforts] are going to greatly increase the witness in the community,” James says, describing how Catholics and Baptists worked together to help the victims. “The exposure has been incredible.”

By Faith
But while the camps were grateful for community help and strove to be organized—and it was a challenge—staff members recognized that faith was a key ingredient in serving refugees.

“When we stepped over the line, the Lord just opened the windows of heaven,” Janet says, who added that she’s felt strengthened by the power of others’ prayers. “We haven’t needed for anything—except sleep.”

James, who battled situations including severe mental health issues among evacuees and on-site arrests, agrees.

“I couldn’t handle all this without trusting God to see me through,” he says. “I wake up in the morning and say, ‘Lord, help me handle whatever’s going to happen today.’”

On Mission
While the stresses of hosting people in crisis were very real, so are the camp’s mission statements. James says that Acadian’s mission is related to evangelism, spiritual growth, and fellowship.

“This is different—meeting basic needs,” he says. “But I think it fits in real well.”
And Curt of Dry Creek says the camp’s purpose is entirely fitting for their crisis operations.

“Our mission is to provide an environment where people feel the presence of God,” he says. “We’re doing that.”

Although they weren’t exactly the typical guest group, the evacuees were still at camp—with all its traditional benefits. Displaced individuals could wake up to creation’s melodies rather than sirens, gunshots, and sheer bedlam. And some even made decisions to follow Jesus.

“Christian camps are set up for this. It’s paradise for a shelter,” James says, comparing Acadian to the overcrowded shelters many other evacuees called home. “Here, [refugees] can walk around and be by themselves. They need that. It’s a stress reliever.”

While not every evacuee was upbeat, and some city-lovers found it difficult to be in rural areas, none had complaints about the camps.

“Nobody could beat ’em; they’re so sweet,” says Judson guest Stella Nunnery of husband-wife team Eugene and Debi Morris. “They try to make you feel so welcome and happy.”

Her son, Bryant, who admits camp is out of his comfort zone, adds, “I haven’t encountered—not once—a sense of negativity.”

This is exactly Debi’s goal.

“As I heard [about the chaos in New Orleans], my mission was to smile and be pleasant,” she says.

But camp staff know that praise from evacuees, well-orchestrated plans, and generous community donations were not enough to make their efforts effective.

“It’s the Lord. The Lord is in this place,” Janet says. “He’s here in the summer; He’s here the rest of the year.”

Focus on Camp: Why a busy ministry executive dedicates time to a Christian camp

2006-09-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

This article was published in CampSight.

On a breezy July day, the president of Focus on the Family Canada was on picturesque Anvil Island just off the British Columbia coastline. But he wasn’t there with his feet up.
Instead, clad in T-shirt and shorts, Terence Rolston was maneuvering a weed trimmer during his break between leadership training sessions and dinner at the 100-acre Daybreak Point Bible Camp.

His unassuming nature meshed with his love for young people and God as he and his wife, Joyce, a pharmacist, spent a week guiding youth through the camp’s Leaders in Training program.

“As much as I was blessed [at camp]…I want to give that opportunity to the youth of today and tomorrow,” Rolston says.

First a Camper
Rolston first attended Daybreak Point Bible Camp when he was nine years old, and continued to come back as a camper until his late teens. Not long after his camper days were over, he returned to Anvil Island again—this time as a volunteer leader.

“Though I was a Christian before I came to camp, I saw many of my peers come to Christ and was blessed to see some of my campers come to Christ,” he says. “I was immensely blessed by the broadening of my horizons…primarily in my involvement as a volunteer.”

His experience as a summer counselor and program staff member was made rich as he joined other young adults from varied backgrounds.

“It was a really uniting and powerful example of the body of Christ working together,” he says. “That was a powerful impact on my life.”

And it was at camp that the concept of leadership became real.

“The leadership at church is a little more established [than camp], and there are lots of older people to take leadership positions,” Rolston says. “Many of us [on staff] were probably involved in our churches, but we went perhaps from a role of being under a leader to being a leader.”

Moving Up
Roltson stepped away from camp for several years to pursue leadership opportunities in charitable organization work. After meeting his wife and starting a family, in 1997 he joined the finance department of Canada’s autonomous branch of the U.S.-founded Focus on the Family, based in Langley, British Columbia.

Later, he moved on to the executive vice president position. When the president resigned to pursue a career in politics, Rolston was tapped for the position, and began serving as the organization’s chief in January of 2005.

But amidst Rolston’s success, he hadn’t forgotten where he had learned some invaluable lessons: Bible camp. Four years ago, he stepped back into the ministry, coordinating the worship team for Daybreak Point’s Camp 1, which caters to 13- to 15-year-olds. In 2003, he and Joyce began codirecting the leadership program for older teens and 20-somethings.

And last May, compelled by the mission of the camp, Rolston accepted a position as chair of Daybreak Point Bible Camp Society’s board.

“I really believe that camp work is one of the premier evangelistic ministries in the developed world,” Rolston says of his decision to lead the board. “It is one of the remarkable ways God is working in the lives of young people to introduce them to Jesus Christ and to introduce them to the community of faith to which God-followers belong.”

Life Changing
Although he participates in Daybreak Point year round, Rolston values the hands-on ministry of camp a week of volunteer service affords. He appreciates “being in an atmosphere of camp that is tranquil and remote and focused on fellowship with God and one another.” It’s a unique opportunity, he says, “not only to serve the Lord but also have a retreat of sorts yourself.”

But the camp environment’s power is not merely in its beauty. Rolston has watched the unique setting and caring staff help people zero in on their life purpose and come face to face with the love of Christ. It is this—combined with the valuable lessons camp affords—that motivates Rolston and his wife to prepare young leaders for the opportunities and challenges of the ministry.

One of the challenges that Rolston focuses on is following up with campers after they get off the ferry and back onto the mainland. As a counselor, he found it difficult to keep in touch with his campers throughout the year. Now, he emphasizes to tomorrow’s counselors the import of connecting with youth and appropriately nurturing relationships after camp.

“I’ve really become convinced that partnerships between churches and camps are essential to follow-up,” he says.

As Rolston trains young people in other key areas of camp ministry, such as strengthening their faith, understanding campers’ needs, and maintaining safety, he challenges them—and others—to step out of their comfort zones and experience the same benefits he did during his early years of camp service.

“I would encourage those who are involved in churches to get involved in ministry experiences like camp outside their churches,” he says. “It is not only a ministry to the campers…but also to the volunteers who are involved…my own life [was] changed.”

Welcome to Smallville

2006-08-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

This article was published in Christian Single.

I slipped into a hard, unfriendly folding chair at the back of the conference center room. I was tired from a long week at work and what felt like an equally long drive to the facility where my church's women's retreat was held. As my gaze settled on the backs and sides of dozens of heads, I didn't see a single "single" soul.

As the evening — and entire weekend — wore on, my suspicions were confirmed. Not only was I the only non-married woman there, but all the women were married with children.

I should've known. The first time I attended Sunday School at this church, five of the 15 people in the 20-somethings class were pregnant. The church was filled with babies, small children, and activities geared toward families.

Nevertheless, because I strongly believed that God wanted me to be in this church, I've not only stayed — I've also been blessed.

If you find yourself in a similar church or small town where singles don't exactly abound, it may take a little effort and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, but you'll find an enriching array of valuable relationships and opportunities to explore.

Survey Yourself
The first step in finding your place in a church or community with few singles is to take an inventory of your own desires. It may be to make new friends, to find a supportive shoulder for the single-parent journey, or to meet a potential spouse.

"We're finding a desperate need among singles to connect," says Kris Swiatocho, director of TheSinglesNetwork.org ministries. "A lot of people are in a hurry to connect — whether it's romantic or friendship."

Swiatocho says that while it's good to have these goals, it's crucial to recognize that above all other desires, you must seek God, and that your ultimate value, meaning, and purpose rest in Christ. Without a relationship and connection to Christ, you'll never be content, no matter what the size of your church or how many single adults live in your area.

"[Think:] I'm going to learn everything I can until God changes it — until I move to the next place," she says.

Value Your Surroundings
You may be a never-married thirtysomething attending a church where Sunday after Sunday you hear the pastor enthusiastically announce the family picnic, the young couples' Bible study, and the parenting course. Or you may be a widowed dad living in a rural community where there's no such thing as a single-parent group.

While it may be difficult to meet people you identify with, God can help you develop a meaningful appreciation for your surroundings — and make the most of them.

For example, if you don't have kids and your church focuses on families, thank God for its commitment to this vital institution, and find ways you can support them.

"I don't go to a Sunday School class because I can't find one that actually fits my stage in life," says Emily Williams, who lives in Woodland Park, Colo., population 5,500. "Instead, I teach Sunday School."

Natalee Roth, who used to live in a small Kansas community, says, "Talk to your neighbors — this could lead to a witnessing opportunity. You can easily isolate yourself in a small town and feel sorry for yourself — I did this a lot — so make friends where you can. It'll stretch you, and you'll learn from these people."

Young and Old Alike
As you commit to value — rather than despise — your environment, you'll meet people of all ages who can potentially enrich your life.

"I learned from the older people I met and found a lot of joy in being with junior-high kids," Roth says. "I lived with a very active 80-year-old woman. We'd sit together outside and chat in the evenings. I enjoyed talking with the mid-30s couple who lived across the street and were nonbelievers, and the couple next door in their 70s. We laughed together a lot, and I learned from all of them."

Because you aren't part of a thriving singles' group, with separate Sunday School classes, Bible studies, and events, you have the unique opportunity to see the family of God — 75-year-old retirees and 33-year-old mothers and temper-tantrum-prone 2-year-olds — in action, and develop invaluable relationships with many of its members. Older people can offer you insight and grandmotherly hugs. Kids bring laughter and fresh perspective. An effort — even a small one — will often result in new friendships.

Here to Serve
Making a point to serve others in the church and community is certainly a way to develop connections with others who are and aren't single. And it steers you far away from pity parties. A wise preacher once said, "Don't ask what the church can do for you. Ask what you can do for the church." The same could be said for your town.

If you love kids, consider volunteering in an after-school program or your church's youth group. Join a church-event planning-committee, or help out with a community festival or parade. White runs his church's audio and video equipment; Roth is a choir member in her family-oriented congregation. Volunteer opportunities are often advertised in church bulletins, on posters around town, and in local newspapers. You may even want to initiate a ministry or community group.

Several years ago, Swiatocho found herself in a church without a singles ministry where she believed God had placed her. The youth group had about 10 kids, and she decided to lend a hand. Although Swiatocho no longer attends there, God used her in the beginning stages of the ministry — today, it's more than 400 teens strong.

Searching for Singles
While enriching your life by serving others and building relationships with people, you may still long for those with whom you can more directly identify.

Start by asking the pastor or church secretary if other single adults are part of your congregation, and then make an effort to meet them. (This conversation may also serve to make your church more aware of the needs of single adults.) If you're a single parent, ask your child's Sunday School teacher about other parents in similar situations, Swiatocho advises.

Also, look outside of your church or town for friends. Get involved in a Bible study or take a class that highlights one of your interests. See if you can join a larger church's singles group. The Internet is a solid source of information for Christian singles' events and groups of like-minded people in your area.

Be prepared to take some initiative. If you find that there are several singles in your church or town but no active group, you may wish to organize an activity, such as a service project or a ski trip, to stimulate friendships.

The church or town you belong to may not currently afford you dozens of new friendships with single adults, but a God-centered perspective, a desire to build relationships with others of all ages and life stages, and a willingness to step forward to serve will enable you to thrive in your environment. As you take hold with both hands the opportunities to learn and to touch others' lives, you'll find yours changing as well.