Preparations, Prayer, and Participation
When was the last time you heard a great God-Story? A story of someone healed from disease, or a friend who no longer fights addiction. A saved marriage. A restored friendship. A baptism. A changed heart.
We love God-Stories at Fort and we desire for God to continue using Fort to do His great work in the lives of the campers and staff.
Although we desire the God-Stories to be happening all the time, there are seasons of preparation and prayer. Just as Jesus went to the wilderness to pray, we are in a season of preparation and prayer – would you join us?
This email contains 4 preparations happening at Fort and 4 ways you can join us in prayer and 4 ways you can participate – Let’s Go!
#1
Preparing for Summer Staff – About 80 Summer Staffers will live in the Northwoods for an unforgettable summer job. In preparation the Fort Staff is planning training week, bible studies and mentoring, and discussing ways to engage well and support the summer staffers.
Pray for the 18 open positions that qualified applicants would apply soon. For the Lord to bring the right people to camp this summer to both serve campers well and also to grow spiritually during their time on Summer Staff.
Participate Tell someone about summer staff jobs and encourage them to apply!
#2
Preparing to launch something new: Journey Beyond – Gunnar Koehn joined staff less than one year ago and has already planned out 6 adventure trips that give campers extended time in nature, quite a bit of adventure, and time with the Lord.
This video was shot just a few weeks ago when we had a lot of snow:
Since then, the first Journey Trip has happened and it was a fruitful time for all!
Pray for Gunnar to continue preparing well for the next five planned trips. Pray for safety over each trip and that all equipment would work well. Pray that the Lord would raise up and prepare the campers to experience His creation and that great spiritual fruit would come from each trip.
Participate Find your Journey Beyond Adventure!
#3
Preparing for Fall (yes, Fall!). Two BIG things begin each fall – Fort welcomes a new class of TruNorth students and a new group of Contract Staff members. Josh and Emily Tuckness, TruNorth co-directors are reviewing applications for the next class of students.
Contract Staff positions are 1-year paid roles at Fort. These roles are vital to Fort’s ministry!
Pray for applicants for TruNorth students and applicants for the Contract Staff positions. Prepare the hearts of the future students and staffers for a year of service, growth, community, and impact. Pray for Josh and Emily Tuckness as they finish the year well with the current TruNorth students while preparing for the next class. Pray for the staffing team as they discern through the hiring process of contract staff positions.
Participate: Get to know the TruNorth program and the Contract Staff roles – apply or tell someone in your life about it!
#4
Preparing for Summer Ministry – As the snow melts camp is full of activity. Each year we have “Adventure Outpost (AO) Fun Day” where our staff spend the day opening up the AO facility which only operates in the summer. There is cleaning, tree trimming, boat hauling, and more cleaning fun to be had! Carpet Ball, Gaga Ball, and Volleyball set up. Firewood splitting & woodchip spreading. You get the idea – there is a lot of prep work!
Pray for the 3,000 campers who will be attending Family Camps, Youth Camps, High School Camps and those heading out on Journey Beyond trips – prepare their hearts and minds for the work the Lord will do. Give the Fort staff the energy and mindfulness to prepare the physical space of camp and the time in silence to prepare spiritually for a summer of ministry. Pray for speakers who are preparing their message for Family Camps and Youth Camps – that the Lord would use them to share biblical truth this summer.
Participate:
Two new Youth Camps were added at Adventure Outpost this year opening up 120 more camper spots – check out the limited availability.
Leadership Lab is a 3-week experience for high school students – we have space for 5 more high school men – these impactful weeks at camp during formative years is priceless – tell a high school boy in your life about this opportunity.
Summer Family Opportunities – Family Camp, Getaways, and a special parent/child trip!
Thank you praying and participating in the ministry at Fort!
I’ll leave you with Lamentations 3:22-24:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
Isn’t it Merciful?
Grateful to Serve at Fort,
Laura Borkenhagen