The Holy Spirit moves hearts toward reconciliation… at camp!
When a 16-year-old student (we’ll call him Corbin) arrived at Leadership Lab 1 back in June, relationships with his siblings were the furthest thing from his mind. He was excited to get away from home, make new friends, and experience some fun outdoor adventure trips.
But as we know, God’s plans are always better.
While on their canoe trip, a fellow camper shared his life story, and specifically discussed how negative experiences with an older sibling had caused deep hurt in his life. Corbin felt a stirring of Holy Spirit conviction and became deeply emotional. He recognized himself in his fellow camper’s story… as the unkind older brother. Over the next several days, he wrestled with how to handle this revelation. When they returned from the canoe trip, he knew he needed to make things right with his siblings, then work to change his behavior. And it couldn’t wait.
Providentially, his younger brother was also a camper, right across Blair Lake at Adventure Outpost. Corbin made arrangements to visit his brother at AO, where he sat side by side with him by the lake, repenting for his poor treatment as the elder brother and asking for forgiveness. Though his younger brother seemed hesitant to hear what Corbin had to say, Corbin states he knows the real work will happen when he goes home and works to change his behavior toward his younger siblings. He feels ready for the challenge.
Wow. The Holy Spirit used time at Leadership Lab to turn the heart of a big brother toward his younger siblings and ask their forgiveness for wrongs he’d done. That’s GOSPEL POWER at work. To God be the glory!
Answered Prayer: Lifelong Fort Friend joins Missionary Staff!
The Lord has used His relational nature to guide several friends of Fort to join missionary staff. To date, SEVEN families have sensed the calling of the Lord on their lives and joined missionary staff in 2024. We are introducing each over the next several months.
Andy & Bekah Suson, Building Maintenance Coordinator
Andy was introduced to Fort as a young Family Camper, but never dreamed he’d work here. He joined the Marine Corp right out of high school, then returned to complete the TruNorth program. He worked as a roofer before God drew him back into camping ministry. He and Bekah met serving at camp, were married a year later, and recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family.
God used Andy’s hard-working, adventurous, and determined character, combined with his previous work experience, to call him as Fort’s Building Maintenance Coordinator. His duties include maintenance of the buildings at Fort’s three sites to keep camp running as smoothly as possible, ensuring campers can enjoy a safe environment free from distractions. He and his talented wife Bekah, who previously served on the Program Team as Apprentice Staff, are unified in their call to be part of Fort’s Missionary Staff, raising their kids in an atmosphere of seeing God work and serving as a family unit. Please be in prayer for them as they raise support and seek to find a home where their growing family can flourish here in the Northwoods!
Bekah & Andy exemplify a servant heart in all they do
Oh ‘Happy Day’! Ground broken for Creative Arts building!
The Fort Future initiative continues to move forward! On Saturday, July 20, we broke ground on the Happy Day Creative Arts Building, made possible by the generous gifts of Fort Friends Jon and Marcia Day.
Present at the Groundbreaking Ceremony were the Fort Board of Directors, friends of Fort, staff and their families. As part of the ceremony, each attendee placed a glass tile into a resin mold, creating stunning mosaic suncatchers, which will be placed in the rain garden area of the project.
Creative Arts Coordinator Alyssa Eiden shared how creating the suncatchers symbolizes each person’s individuality in the body of Christ, as well as the unity created through the bond of the Holy Spirit. This uniqueness will undoubtedly be demonstrated through the myriads of original projects created here for years to come.
The projected completion date for the Happy Day Creative Arts Building is Summer, 2025. We are eager to see what the Lord will do in and through the lives of every individual who utilizes this amazing space.
The suncatchers will be a beautiful addition to the rain garden!
Click here for a virtual tour of the new space
The ministry of reconciliation…
Earlier this summer, my preteen son had an altercation with a friend, resulting in deep hurt and mistrust. As a mama, I considered contacting the other parent and intervening to try and make amends between the two boys, but I felt compelled to pray, watch, and see what would happen. To my amazement, the Holy Spirit Himself brought conviction, repentance, reconciliation, and healing to both my son and his friend.
As I consider the story of the student at Lab, watch God move in the heart of my own child, and consider the unity we are called to as followers of Christ, I find myself at a loss for words. I am so incredibly grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit, both here at camp and in all of our lives. The Lord desires we live in unity. He offers the gift of reconciliation, and we get to participate! What an amazing opportunity to see the gospel at work in real time!
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Friends, 2 Corinthians 5 tells us we are called to “a ministry of reconciliation.” Not only have we been reconciled to God through the completed work of Christ on the cross, but as followers of Christ, we now have the power of the Holy Spirit to convict, guide, and empower us to be reconciled with others.
What a powerful truth to rest in, and what an exciting standard to strive for in the Holy Spirit’s power. To God be the glory!
For the Fort Staff,
Heather
Heather Lenox
Content Development Specialist
heatherlenox@fortwilderness.com
715.277.2587
fortwilderness.com
