Experiencing God's Love.

The past two weekends I've had the privilege to go to a couple of youth conferences to promote Mountain T.O.P. The first one, Resurrection, is the youth event for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. I didn't realize that the Holston Conference covered such a huge area. I should've realized when I heard that they had 3 sessions over the course of 2 weekends with about 6,000 youth in each session. Yeah... Crazy! This conference covers from parts of Virginia all the way down to northern parts of Georgia. The second one I went to, Warmth in Winter, is the youth event for the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church. The TN Conference covers Middle Tennessee and isn't as big as the Holston Conference. Warmth in Winter had about 2,000 youth. Thinking back to the youth events I went to in Mississippi, this is still HUGE.

When I first agreed to go to Resurrection I saw it as a weekend trip to Gatlinburg, so I thought it'd be fun. The free time that we spent hanging out in Gatlinburg turned out to be one of the least exciting parts of the trip. Resurrection turned out to be an opportunity for me to take a step back and look at all the reasons that I work at Mountain T.O.P. So many times, I get caught up in the to do lists, projects, and stress of the job and forget that two of our foundational objectives are to develop leadership skills and to actively encourage Christian growth in our participants and staff. I was reminded that the stress of the job doesn't even come close to comparing to the impact that this ministry has on the lives of the people that come in and out of our gates, especially the youth during the summer.

Reggie Dabbs, the main speaker at Resurrection, has a way of connecting with the youth that was obviously a gift from God. He told stories about his childhood and told other stories he made up to get the point across that God loves each and every one of us and nothing we do is going to change that. He also entertained everybody with his Saxophone skills. He shared how he experienced God's love through his foster parents while growing up in Knoxville. He had a way of connecting with his audience that let him be completely upfront and sometimes blunt with them. During the second worship session of the weekend, he asked for all of the adult females to stand in the aisles and look back at their youth. Then, he asked any of the youth that had thought of suicide to stand up (at this point I thought he was crazy because why would a youth that was thinking about that stand up and announce it to the whole place). But they stood up. He then told the women in the aisles to go to the youth and embrace them to let them feel the love of God. The most amazing thing that happened in this worship was watching the whole youth groups gather around the youth that were struggling and surround them with God's love. Many times working at MTOP we experience God's love in many different ways, but when I was watching this outpouring of God's love, it felt different from any other time I have ever felt it before. I felt like I was just looking in at it. I didn't know any of these youth and I had no real connection to anyone in the room. It's absolutely amazing how the Holy Spirit comes into a room of over 6,000 people and touches everyone in such a strong way. Looking around I don't think I saw one person in the room that didn't have a look of loving concern on their face. Almost everyone I saw had tears streaming down their face. Many of the people in the room that I could see were praying for the youth as well. This is the kind of expression of God's love that I am amazed by every time. People who have no contact to the people that are in need of love, but still pour that love on them by praying for them.

I would be lying if I told you that when he first asked those youth to stand up I didn't feel uncomfortable and kind of wanted to leave the room because I felt like it was something that was very personal for them and what could I offer just standing in the back never having met these youth before. But I decided not to and instead started praying along with the others in the room and in the end I experienced the love of God in a new and, at first, uncomfortable way that I never have before and that I never will forget. Experiencing the Holy Spirit in that room reminded me why I have been called to ministry here at MTOP. It's not just to organize projects and make sure people have what they need to complete it, but it's about loving everyone that I come in contact with and even the ones I don't. It reminded me that I am called to share God's love in every way I can think of and even ways that I have never thought of before. As Mrs. Peggy, a woman in my Disciple class, says often, "We have to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit." Where ever and whenever it happens, I have to be ready to go whichever I'm being led and I have to be ready to share God's love in new ways that I might be uncomfortable with.

This wasn't exactly what I had planned on talking about when I started, but I don't see a problem with going off on tangents, so... back to the original topic.

It was great being able to talk to people about MTOP and what we do. There were many people at Resurrection that had never heard of MTOP before. It was nice to be able to share this ministry that has been so influential in my life with people who had never heard of it.

Warmth in Winter was a little different than Resurrection. People in the TN Conference know MTOP and many of them have been campers. It was nice to see some friends and hear stories of past MTOP experiences. The best part was being able to fly around a big clown fish that said "Quit clowing around come to MTOP" on one side and "We fish for people, come to MTOP" on the other (yes I spelled clowning wrong, but that's because it was spelled wrong on the fish and we didn't realize it for a while). Here is a link to a video Sam took of the fish flying around and some of the people who liked the fish (notice the guy petting it). Big flying fish!

The past two weekends have reminded me that the youth that come into camp aren't just loud and very energetic, but it has reminded me that so many of them are on fire for God and love to share the love that He as freely given to them. That is why it's so exciting that we get to explore God's love in more depth this year with our theme from 1John 3. I saw real love practiced in many ways over the past couple of weekends and I can't even begin to imagine the outpouring of God's love that will come as a result of the youth at those two conferences. But I guess that's not for me to know. God sees every bit of it, and He knows that it is from His Word being shared with those youth from their leaders and the many different opportunities the leaders give their youth to experience and share that love. It also reminded me of what can happen when we don't stand in the way of the Holy Spirit and let It move through us in ways that we can't even begin to think of... until it happens. Praise God.

Why Youth Summer Ministry? - Part 2

Beautiful thoughts from Elise Low, former summer staff/intern, on the lasting impact a week of service at Mountain T.O.P. has on you and your youth.

Though I wasn't able to attend the Gathering this year, I was able to participate in the 30 Hour Famine with the youth group at Saline UMC.  While many were gathered to celebrate another year of ministry on the Mountain, I had the privilege of seeing first-hand the year-round, life-long impact Mountain T.O.P. makes in the lives of youth and adults all the way in the suburban semi-tundra of Michigan.  I've heard a lot of Mountain TOP stories from the youth since I've returned to Saline -- after all, who doesn't walk away from a YSM week with a few stories to tell?!  Yet, as I spent 30 hours in prayer, service and reflection with these teens, as I watched them plan a worship service, and as heard them share eloquent, powerful words with the whole congregation, I had to step back in awe of my God.  

Student after student shared with boldness and authenticity stories of God at work in their lives - overcoming fear, understanding His grace, learning to embrace the humbling journey.  One such student shared specifically of God meeting him and transforming him at Mountain T.O.P. one Friday night this past summer, filling him with the love of God in a way He had never known, a love that overwhelmed him, transformed him, and spurred him on.  And that transformation did not stay on the Mountain -- it is alive and well in Saline, Michigan.  It is alive and well in the hearts of students who go 30 hours without food - joyfully- for the sake of their neighbors and for the glory of God.  It is alive in well in the hearts of youth who ask important questions and seek to learn more.  It is alive and well in the hearts of students who seek to love not just in word, but in action and in truth.

What a humbling privilege to experience the very real ways that Mountain T.O.P. is truly more than just a vessel for one-week experiences.  This ministry matters.   But this kind of transformation is the kind of thing that Mountain T.O.P. could never orchestrate.  It's the kind of thing the most dedicated youth minister could never orchestrate.  It is absolutely the result of God at work.  He is at work at Mountain T.O.P.  He is at work in the valley below.  He is at work in Saline, Michigan.  But most of all, He is at work in the hearts of His children.  Thanks be to God!

2011 in Review - Executive Director, Ed Simmons

Mountain T.O.P.’s 36^th year in ministry was successful using any measure. God’s abundant love and message of hope for a better tomorrow was shared in so many real and tangible ways. This ministry represented by the volunteers and staff responded to the challenge given last year to be salt & light for Christ. The result was a gift of joy, peace and comfort to the many individuals, families and businesses that make up our broad service area. We again kept true to our call and fulfilled the vision God has for this ministry. 

Below are some thoughts I shared at The Gathering concerning how the ministry responded to God’s call.

• Specifically this involved almost 2000 campers from over 100 churches, reaching out to almost 450 families in our service area with 39 staff members. 161 new families were served and 191 children participated in our programs for youth and children (up 16% over 2010).
• Julie shared with us the incredible success of our 2011 extending the partnership effort. This program is just a part of how we strive to serve in an ever expanding way within our service area.
• Two local churches (Morton UMC & McMinnville FUMC) prepared snack packs for the children in our summer programs
• Thanks to Julie Duncan and her involvement in Vision Grundy, MTOP has continued its efforts to be more holistically involved in the community. Our hope is to continue to be involved in helping shape policy & programs that address the systemic issues families face.  
• In 2011 we reached our goal of having enough tools donated that we will no longer require churches to bring tool shed tools. This is the result of heroic efforts by Ray Jones, Jim & Carol Smith & the Central Illinois Conference, Dan Jacobson and churches leaving their tools behind. Our next goal is to build enough van buckets that no one will need to bring tools to YSM & BreakOut at all.
• This year saw the addition of a high ropes course to our facilities. This course was used during Quest.
• We successfully transitioned the summer AIM program from Beersheba Assembly to Cumberland Pines. This resulted in a 72% increase in participants from 2010. 
• We were awarded once again an $80,000 grant from the USDA for Home Preservation which will be used by our AIM and BreakOut programs in 2012 to improve housing in Grundy County. We have now received $210,000 in grants from the USDA HPG Program in the past 5 years.
• In December we received a $15,000 grant from the McConnell Foundation in Sewanee dedicated to programs targeting youth in Grundy Co and helping them acquire skills for self-sufficiency and self-confidence.
• Under the leadership, guidance, blood, sweat & tears of Sam, all new promotional videos were produced. These videos are getting great feedback from all who see them. They will be wonderful tools for telling the Mountain T.O.P. story and aid in recruiting churches & campers.
• In 2011 we faced our most significant financial challenges in five years. The unprecedented drop in YSM campers at final deposit put us in a financial bind and has resulted in us playing catch-up. 
• The good news is we finished the year with all bills paid.  The bad news is we used 2012 camper deposits to meet that goal. The 2012 Budget will need to be reduced by approximately $75,000 to compensate. (You can donate here!)
• Our challenges are not unique in the non-profit world. We will overcome this challenge and continue to be a light for Christ to all we encounter.
• All was possible this year because each of you and others like you chose to answer God’s call to serve. Thank you for hearing that call and responding in such a glorious manner.
• To continue to respond to the needs presented to us, we are adding two new important programs in 2012. 
• The first is a camp week at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski. We are partnering with the college and Pulaski FUMC to expand our service area into Giles County. Campers and staff will stay and be fed in college dorms and cafeteria. Programming will be split between the church and campus.  Our goal was 50 campers and we have already met that goal with 3 churches signed-up.
• The second is county-wide day of service this Fall facilitated by MTOP with work being done by the people and organizations within the county. The idea is to help our neighbors help each other.
• 2012 recruiting for Summer Staff has begun and interviews scheduled. 
• 2012 is shaping up to be another banner year of ministry. Lives will be impacted in a positive way for Christ. 

2011 was a wonderful year of ministry. 2012 will be even better. Will you come and be a part of what God is doing in our service area? We would love to talk to you about how you or your church can help. Please contact Sam at sam@mountain-top.org for the many options available for participation.

Why Youth Summer Ministry?

Awhile ago I got an email from a youth director who attended Mountain T.O.P. for the first time last summer.  After reading his thoughts, I asked him a few more questions.  I think Slocomb says it all.  This is why Youth Summer Ministry at Mountain T.O.P. matters ...

Slocomb Reed and Lexi Romine

"Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati came to Mountain T.O.P. for the first time this past summer (2010).  Our youth group had a bit of experience with other missional home-repair organizations and was attracted to Mountain T.O.P. by the incredible (in some cases fantastical) stories we heard about it from other Episcopal churches in our area.  We learned quickly upon arriving at “the mountain” that this ministry was much more than just repairing houses and making people’s lives more physically accommodating.  

First, we were impressed by Mountain T.O.P.’s efforts to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of everyone whom they serve. Personally, the most profound experience I had was spending an entire day playing baseball with elementary-aged kids while other members of our YRG team repaired a couple staircases for their parents and grandparents.  They entire neighborhood got out on their porches to watch us; a simple game of baseball united the neighborhood.  Afterwards, the grandmother of a couple of the kids stopped us to let us know that the kids spend all summer excited to play with the Mountain T.O.P. people who come to serve them (physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially!) and afterwards, spend the rest of the summer talking about how much fun they had with the Mountain T.O.P. kids.

Second, as the brand-new youth director with Christ Church, I most appreciated the opportunity to sit back and observe as the Mountain T.O.P. staff ministered with my youth group.  It was the first time that most of my Christ Church Cathedral kids ever experienced contemporary, conversational or experiential worship!  And they loved it!  Towards the end of the week my youth group, my fourteen- to sixteen-year old kids, came to me telling me that they were spiritually hungry!  They were spiritually hungry, and they were experiencing worship that filled them, there on the mountain.

Since last summer we have worked here in Cincinnati to create experiential, conversational and contemporary-style worship opportunities for our youth group.  They are now more engaged in our parish community than they have been for years."

Gather Together!

What a beautiful night of celebrating and reflecting on all God has done and will continue to do through Mountain T.O.P.!  Thank you to the 70 people who came to the Gathering this past Saturday at Camp Cumberland Pines!  We cannot express how heart-warming and inspiring your presence and passion is to us!!!

For those of you who couldn't come, the evening included a lot of tacky Christmas attire, dinner made by volunteers, dessert donated by the DutchMaid Bakery, a 2011 slide show, a loud, joyful praise time, thoughts on 2011 and 2012 by Rev. Ed Simmons, a 2012 theme revealing and a hopeful concluding prayer for 2012.

We also want to say thank you for contributing to the love offering!  Through your gifts, we received $852!  And for those of you who don't know, we recently entered into partnership with the Mayhews (Beersheba Porcelain) so that at designated events, we can sell their pottery and receive half the proceeds!  Saturday night, we received almost $200 because of your purchases!

Thanks to Kim for an awesome setup!

2011 Reflection space!

YAY former staff for coming!

                                                             Share the theme for 2012!!!