Archive for May, 2010

8
May

The Real Secret of Our (and Your) Success

Horn Creek has a rich history of impacting the lives of youth and families. And it can be hard work! The mechanics of maintaining a camp and shaping a successful, impacting retreat for youth can seem pretty complex. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about what works, and over time some of those things have changed while others seem to remain the same.

Youth pastors and leaders know the tremendous value of youth camps and retreats, but many are intimidated by the task. At Horn Creek we delight in partnering with retreat leaders, whether seasoned veterans or new leaders full of passion and heart but short on experience, to create an unforgettable retreat experience with eternal impact. We are here for you! It’s our passion.

There are so many things that come together to make a retreat “work.” But young and seasoned leaders alike always need to remember that none of our hard work and creativity is any match for the power of God to take whatever energy, experience, creativity and hard work we bring and transform it by His grace into something remarkable.

Natalie Holdren of Northland Christian Church in Topeka Kansas and Horn Creek retreat leader writes…

21 years…I wear this number as a badge of honor (or a challenge, a reminder, a privilege, a mission…) This is how many years I’ve been in student ministry and have done overnighters, camps, youth groups, small group Bible studies, Sardines, classes, and so much more!

As God has seen fit to allow me to be a part of this, I have learned much; this past season is no different. I am understanding something amazing that I’m sure I’ve taught and that God has (tried) to tell me before, however, this is totally new to me.

As we make all of the needed sacrifices to partake in student ministry, and to provide our students with every opportunity we can in which they hear, experience and know God’s Truth, it is truly all about His Grace. This grace covers our inabilities, our small offerings of fasting and prayer, our lack of whatever; His Grace makes possible our human love, our feeble use of our gifts, our excessive schedules and our years (or lack-thereof) of experience.

Therefore, I’ve come to look for the obvious hand of His Grace in the lives of our students. It’s His Grace that brings forth the fruit, His grace that builds The Kingdom, His Grace that uses a weekend retreat, a mission trip, a counseling session…His Grace that uses us to do His Work. When I look for and find the evidence of His Grace, I stop and thank Him for getting me ready for the next thing; then look for ways to teach my students to identify and experience the evidence of grace in their lives.

That’s it. At Horn Creek, we are excited to partner with you to create an opportunity to see the evidence of God’s grace working in our lives and the lives of our students!

If you want to find out more about bringing your next youth camp or retreat to Horn Creek, contact Johnny Ainsworth:
johnnyainsworth@horncreek.org
719-783-2006

Category : Uncategorized | Blog

8
May

The Heart of the Matter

Posted by russ (1) Comment

We’re all familiar with the term “family values.” A quick check on Wikipedia confirmed my gut sense of the idea.

It’s political.

The “family values agenda” springs from the concern that as a society, we have seemed to move in some directions that push against the sensibilities of a more traditional, family-based society. And so we evaluate various political issues in terms of their relationship to family values. And rightly so. Those of us convinced of the importance of the family to our society are keenly interested in moves, political or otherwise, that will affirm and promote these values. We are for the things that families value, because we value the family. It just makes sense.

To us.

But what is the logic of the political ideal of family values if a society no longer understands the value of family? Where do family values fit into a culture that often celebrates the individual over the community and self-fulfillment over sacrifice? Community and sacrifice are at the heart of healthy family dynamics.

Perhaps it’s time to get down to the heart of the matter.

You see, if family values are the what, politically speaking, then valuing family is the why. If family values are external, then valuing family is internal. If family values are the program, then valuing family is the source code. If family values are political, then valuing family is relational. If family values are propositional, then valuing family is experiential.

And this brings us to Horn Creek, both figuratively, and for so many of us, literally. Horn Creek Family Camps have always been about valuing family. And valuing family means valuing families. And this is what goes on at Horn Creek Family Camps week after week. Horn Creek is an environment for family to be valued and families to value one-another. It’s a place where so many of the things we already know about life and love and relationship find unique freedom of expression. It is an experience. And this experience is unique for each family who comes. And that is intentional.

At Horn Creek, we have a 50 year track-record of creating life-changing, relevant experiences for families, with an emphasis on cultivating multi generational connections of faith and community. Times are changing, along with the specific challenges that young families face. But some things never change. The Horn Creek experience is in tune with both of these realities. Come see for yourself!

If you are a pastor or ministry leader interested in creating a dynamic retreat for the families in your church or organization, we’d love to parter with you to create an unforgettable experience. Or, please consider one of our established Horn Creek Family Camps.

You can find our more about all of our family camps and how to register to bring your family, or a group of families, on this website.