December Email Newsletter 2023

Luke 2:10 "And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.'"

Merry Christmas,

What a year it has been. We have had such a wonderful year here at Hanging Rock with record breaking attendance in summer camp and retreat groups. What a year. I know the staff is ready to catch our breath and start getting ready for summer camp 2024 and the new year of doing retreats. We have been so blessed with so many people wanting to come to Hanging Rock to be challenged in their faith and to just strengthen their relationship with Christ.

Christmas is a time to marvel in awe and gratitude at the lengths God has gone to show us His love and to save us. The Creator came to His creation. The God of Heaven came to earth. The Son of God left His throne in heaven, surrounded by the unceasing praise of angels, to come to earth where He would ultimately receive a crown of thorns and hear crowds shouting, “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:13).

At Christmas, we stand in awe at the majesty and humility of God. He came not in power to kings in a palace but in humility to ordinary shepherds in a small rural town of obscurity. The Lord comes to us not with angry fist, shouting from heaven, but with an open hand and helpless cry from a manger.
“She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7 ESV).

Our Prayer: What an amazing God you are! Thank you for your immeasurable, boundless love. Thank you Lord Jesus for continuing to show us your Great Love here at Hanging Rock.

Gary Baker, Executive Director

garybaker@hangingrock.org

Luci Baker, Kids Pastor at Northview Christian in Danville, Indiana has a great retreat planned for your 3rd-5th Graders.

Dave Sims, Youth Minister at Sterling Christian Church is excited to get High School Students excited about their faith in Christ this winter.

Kyle Purdy, Youth Minister at West Lebanon Christian Church wants to challenge all Jr. High Students this winter with their faith.

Ladies, Be renewed at the Ladies Overnight Retreat with opportunities to have fun and connect with women from your church or group of friends.
Men, Refresh yourself with awesome activities, great food, good conversation, and a chance to disconnect from everyday life at Hanging Rock.

Our Giving Tuesday Challenge was to raise money for more harnesses and helmets for our ziplines. We received enough to buy 12. We really need 20. We would love for you to partner with us. It's not too late to give this holiday season!

From the Program Director,

Missions for 2024:

2024 SUMMER MISSIONS

“COORDINATOR’S CHOICE”

We are asking our Event Coordinator’s to select a mission of their choice for their specific week of camp this year. Giving them this opportunity will allow each camp to share about the Mission for their week with passion and love from a personal standpoint. Campers will hear about these extraordinary organizations, the work being done, and how they are helping the hurting while bringing the gospel to all corners of the earth. It also gives campers a chance to contribute financially to the work of these missions. So, if you have the desire for your camper to support the select mission for his or her week of camp, please send money for Missions.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:35.

Summer Staff for 2024:

We have been blessed with filling several positions already for the 2024 summer! We are still looking for program staff, maintenance assistants, a dinner cook, kitchen assistants, & dishwashers. If interested in applying go online to Hanging Rock.org.

Theme:

Hanging Rock & the camp committee is so excited to announce the theme for this summer: “Searching”. It is answering questions that campers may have about their faith and seeking the Lord for wisdom in the answer to their questions. James 1:5 is our theme verse for the summer, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (ESV). We chose this verse because kids in today’s world are dealing with so much and having so many questions about faith. We want Hanging Rock to be a place that can help guide them in the right to direction for answers.

Caitlin Baer, Program Director

caitlinbaer@hangingrock.org

Terry Evans Memorial Project:

Horse camp is one of the most popular programs of our summer camp. It is always the first to fill up. We have been blessed to have some great leaders lead this ministry. Terry Evans did so much for this program and all the kids loved him so much. With the money that has been collected in his memory it was decided to re-build the round pen that he built and work on the tack building that he also built so it will be taken care of for years to come.

On December 2 from 9-12 with lunch provided we will be having a work day to finish the round pen and to start clearing out the tack building so we can work on the floor. Casey, Back Property Director, and Owen Moudy have already put the posts in the ground and are ready to put the boards up, but need your help.

You can reach out to Casey if your able to help with this project on December 2nd.

Casey Isdell, Back Property Director

Caseyisdell@hangingrock.org