Vermont Snow Camp for pastors
Our BCNE Vermont pastors and families recently shared a powerful experience together as they gathered for Snow Camp at Rumney Bible Conference Center in New Hampshire. Each family had their own room and enjoyed fellowship, food, and fun in an area of stunning natural beauty that reminded them of the awe of God’s creation.
Russ Rathier, BCNE Vermont Regional Coordinator, reports that “We had 10 families and a total of 45 people at the retreat for the Friday/Saturday experience. It was a wonderful time of getting to know each other. Three of the families recently moved to Vermont and did not know many others in the ministry, so it was a great time for them to bond with their fellow laborers.”
The roaring Fire was definitely a hit with everyone present. But the group also really enjoyed skating on the pond, tubing down the hill, having the lift pull them back up the hill, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and playing games in game room. Rathier said, “Seeing the pastors sitting around the fireplace building relationships while their children played together was my favorite part.”
Another highlight was the meals together. On Friday night, everyone sat with their families. But on Saturday morning, the children sat at one table, and the teens at another, and that allowed the pastors and wives to share meals together. Bonding really happened around those tables during those meals. Rathier explained, “At lunch on Saturday, as the Blessing for the Meal was being prayed, I saw a table of 5 teenage girls, who did not know each other before this event, reach out and grab each other’s hands for prayer. It was powerful to witness.”
Some comments from the pastors include:
“The retreat was fun, restful and encouraging. My favorite part was watching my kids connect with other pastors’ kids that understand the challenges of leaving their friends and family and moving to rural Vermont. I loved watching them laugh and have fun playing together and staying up late to chat. It was restful to get away together as family and not have to cook or clean. It was encouraging to see a cabin full of pastors who God has called to minister to the people of Vermont and to realize that we are not in this alone. Thank You and God Bless!”
Aaron Sellars
Cornerstone Church
“The VT Snow Camp was a great time for pastors of all ages and their families to spend time together laughing, sitting around the fireplace, sharing meals and expanding the circle of our VT ministry family. We were truly blessed by the time together.”
Bill and Jan Smith
New Creation Fellowship
“We really enjoyed our time at the Rumney Snow Camp. The kids especially loved the variety of activities, but most of all they enjoyed the snow tubing! If this is available again we will definitely participate. Thank you so much for the privilege of joining in. It was a blessing.”
Brett Cody
Whiting Community Church
“We loved being able to gather together with other workers in the field. It was a very encouraging experience. Being able to have our kids play together and also be encouraged was huge. So often pastoral families all feel neglected because of the work load of the father/pastor so being able to spend family time together and focus on our first ministry (the family) for a bit was great. Thank you for making this happen.”
Josh Fortier
Enough Ministries
