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.