“Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried…your Father knows that you need them.” - Luke 12:29-30
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We just welcomed our fourth daughter, Eden and are now a family of six! For those who have children, you probably can remember a season with little kids and all the fun, laughter, new experiences and challenges. I'll admit, this season can often be hard, and I wonder where I am going to find the energy, the strength, the wisdom to be a good parent. I have never more realized my inability to do this life, but also, I have never believed more in the sufficiency and love of my Lord and Savior than I do in this season now, and that He is going to take care of us.
Last autumn we were at a board member's house for our annual offsite staff meeting, and while I was in the bathroom I noticed a painting of four little girls, sitting side by side on a bridge looking off into the distance. I had this real sense of God's care and love for me and my family in that moment and I thanked Him. This was just before Carly and I found out we were pregnant with our fourth daughter.
When we found out we were going to have another child, I have to admit, we felt pretty overwhelmed. I thought, how are we going to do this?? We already felt overwhelmed with three. But then I remembered the picture of four little girls hanging in that bathroom and I knew that God loved me and would take care of our family. Then I remembered why we named our second daughter Lily. Jesus said, “Do not worry or be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing... Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith. And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.” (Luke 12:22-30)
Every time I worry or feel overwhelmed in life, I consider the lilies. I think about that picture, and I remember that God loves me and is taking care of me. He loves us. He knows so well how to take care of our needs. He knew before I did that I was going to be a daddy to four little women. He is good and He promises to be enough for me - and that gives me such peace and strength.
I am so proud of my girls, and I love sharing my life with them with all the pink, the princess accessories, the tears and giggles - all of it. And I wouldn't have it any other way. And I am so thankful to be known and loved by our God - to whom I can gladly hand over my life, knowing He is so good and trustworthy.
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Chris Mainland is originally from Wisconsin and attended Capernwray New Zealand in 2007 where he met his wife Carly. Chris now serves as the Media Manager for Torchbearers International.
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Ravencrest Program Update
Picture This!
We had a special moment this summer during the retreats when four of Ravencrest's Directors were all in the same room! From left: Erik Snyder, Wayne Weissman, Chris Thomas, Mark Thomas
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Adult Retreats
As the summer came to a close, we were greatly blessed by having three sweet adult retreats. We had a handful of people join us for our RECHARGE (Men’s) and REFRESH (Women’s) retreats, and we had quite a turnout of over 50 individuals come for RENEW! These retreats were so encouraging for fellowship with other believers as well as solid teaching from God’s Word and fun activities! Our staff and interns did a fantastic job serving our guests over these weeks.
Bible School
This year we have welcomed 72 students! This is the first time since 2003-2004 that we have seen these numbers! Everything is off to a great start as we have headed into orientation and all the normal Bible school activities. We still have a couple of students who have yet to arrive due to COVID, but we are excited to meet them when they are able to come. It has been a huge blessing that of this group of 72, about a third of them are international who have been able to acquire visas to join us this year. Please pray for safety, health, and open hearts to God’s truth as the students start out their Bible school year at Ravencrest Chalet in the Rockies.
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Accomplishments
There have been some house painting jobs over the summer and into the fall of 215 Pole Hill Road and 38 Pine Tree Drive to protect them against the elements. It is also wonderful to see how a new coat of paint brings a fresh new look to our staff homes.
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Our desire at Ravencrest is for the facility to create spaces for ministry and relationship without being a distraction. Though we have been given many pieces of furniture, much of it gets worn down quickly, and so we are often repairing, refinishing, disposing of, and acquiring gently used things. Carly Mainland has been helping to ensure the furniture we have is serving its purpose well, as well as replacing and updating as needed. We are hoping to plan some renovation projects in the near future in the office and Student Center.
Please contact us if you’d like to make a donation or could offer skilled services such as carpentry or new window installation (970-586-8118 or office@ravencrest.org).
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This year we have Kaalyn Wilson joining us as our Women’s RA. She was a student last year for our 2020-2021 Bible school year and is excited to walk alongside our female students this year!
Matthias Noettling who was a student in 2019-2020 has joined us as the Men’s RA. Matthias has come from Austria and after hearing that it would be very unlikely for interns to be able to receive the visa they would need during this time of COVID, he miraculously received the visa he needed and joined us in the last month.
Our maintenance interns this year will be Jimmy Cole, Kevin Billhymer and Elisheba Keen who were all students this last school year. We are excited to have them serve with James and Ruben to lead our students in getting many projects done around campus.
For our kitchen team, we have Chayah and Kendall who will be staying on for a second year as interns in the kitchen. Kaila Bruce and Madison Glatter have also joined as kitchen interns, and they were both students this last school year. They are all excited to join Sarah and Evan as they serve our body in providing delicious food day to day.
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Fall Camping Trip
As a way to encourage students to get to know each other we are taking them on our annual camping trip! This is a great opportunity staff and students to enjoy fellowship in an environment that might be out of some people’s comfort zone! We will get to hike, kayak, play sports and enjoy the Lord’s creation together!
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Summer Camps 2021
After finishing an impactful Summer with youth groups from across the US, we’re eagerly preparing our equipment for Summer of 2022, but especially our hearts as we await what God has for us through Summer camps. We’re excited to say that next summer is already beginning to fill up! Four weeks are already booked, leaving four still to be claimed. If you’re considering bringing your youth out, don’t wait to sign up! We’d hate for you to miss out because our weeks filled up too quickly.
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Maintenance Interns 2022
This next summer of 2022 we will be needing some maintenance help. For all those who are interested in our yearlong maintenance program, you can apply online by clicking the link below.
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Summer Interns 2022
As our Summer Program is already filling up, we’re going to need Summer Program Interns to help lead our campers to the Lord through activities, service, and relationships. We’re inviting anyone over 18 with a love for Christ and a desire to make Him known to apply for our Summer Program Intern position and come help out with hikes, biking, climbing, dishes, devotions, our coffee shop, and anything else that may come our way.
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The Gathering
After limiting our visitors from town last year, Ravencrest is again welcoming guests and hosting The Gathering this year. Several Friday nights throughout the school year we'll invite anyone and everyone from town up to meet our staff and students and enjoy fun and conversations. The first night will be next Friday, September 24, from 7:00-9:00pm and we'll have volleyball and ice cream!
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Taste and See
If you would be interested in our Taste and See program, this year we are offering day visits (no overnight stays at this time). Prospective students are invited to join in on classes and all other programming and activities. The price would be $15 dollars a day and they would be welcome to do that over a few days or a week to get a feel of how Bible school at Ravencrest functions. If you know anyone interested in visiting Ravencrest, please have them call the office or email our Registrar Brooke Dick at office@ravencrest.org.
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God's Provision
A message from our Director,
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We are so thankful for those the Lord has brought to be students at Ravencrest this year. There is always such a great buzz of excitement as they settle into their new home and get to know one another. Always lots of opportunity to trust the Lord in new ways.
As we move into another school year, we are grateful for the projects that we have been able to complete in advance of the student’s arrival but are very excited about those that we hope to get done during this year as well. There is a lot that we hope to accomplish and would appreciate your support however you feel led.
Here are some further details on projects we hope to accomplish this year…
- Student Center carpet: $12,000
- Lower Berghaus (Dorms) renovation - flooring and 2 bathrooms: $15,000
- New Gym roof (shop and work-out room section) $30,000
- New decks for Student Center and Berghaus : $40,000
- Window replacements – multiple buildings (approx. 30 windows): $24,000
- Additional projects/needs for consideration
- New 25+ passenger van/bus: $20,000+ (we just purchased a new school bus to help out with our bible school and summer programs!!!)
- Ridgehaus basement completion – staff apartment + open guest room: $120,000
If you have any questions or would like to talk further on any of these, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly (970-372-8831 or erik@ravencrest.org). Thank you, and God bless.
- Erik
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Praise:
- For a wonderful summer of ministry of building up the Body in the Word and in fellowship.
- That we continue to have the opportunity to run our Bible school program this fall.
- For those that the Lord has led to attend Bible school.
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Pray:
- For the start of the school year, that there would be great unity and focus on Christ.
- For health and protection from Covid.
- For staff to be assured of the strength they have from the Lord, as we enter into another uncertain new school year.
- For Josh Berg to be able to re-enter the country after returning home to Canada.
- For protection from illness and the ability to operate without restrictions.
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