APRIL UPDATE
HERE IS WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE MOUNTAIN
FOCUS THIS MONTH - PURSUIT PROGRAM 2024!
The Pursuit Program 2024 has roots that go back 36 years. It has been known by several different names and has undergone minor changes in expression and leadership, but it's essence and purpose remains the same: to equip, challenge and encourage teens to follow Jesus through teaching, adventure, challenge, community and nature.
Year one. The 1989 Adventure / Discipleship group!
Below are this year's Pursuit participants. We hope you will take a moment to get to know them and commit to pray for them in the days ahead. There is still room if anyone wants to jump in!
Meet our intern - Daniel Chastain
Daniel is returning for his 4th summer on Uplift Mountain in one capacity or another. His Sister, Ella, was intern last year. Their mom, Sandy, was a part of the program in 1999! Daniel has become part of the Uplift family and will serve as my intern this summer. We are so excited to have him back! His passion for Christ, fun demeanor, and humble heart are a great encouragement and his broad skillset in adventures is a great help on many levels.
HERE ARE THE THREE WONDERFUL GALS JOINING US THIS SUMMER.
Rachel Chastain is 15 and from Macon , GA. (She is intern Daniel's younger sister.) Rachel is wanting to establish a more consistent time in God's word and become more disciplined in good routines. Rachel loves people and "wants to make everyone feel welcome and safe." She also "would love to get out into the mountains and see God's creation". Rachel will be attending for five weeks.
Riley Stahler is 17 and is from McKinney, TX. She would "like to learn how to be a part of a relationship with God daily and how to honor Him in my daily life." She will be attending Baylor University in the fall and wants to discover God's direction for her life as well as reduce the anxiety she has over going to college. Riley is still deciding between three and five weeks.
Katy Gifford is returning for her third summer at Uplift. She is 17 and from just down the road from here in Westcliffe. Katy wants to "see how much she has grown from the previous years" and "likes helping and growing with the other people in the program." One of her goals is "to trust God more and [stop] worrying about earning His love and acceptance from the things I do." Katy will be here for three weeks this year.
There are five fellas in the program this year. Take a moment to get to know them.
Jude Helms is returning this year after attending the three week program last summer. He is 17 and is from McKinney, TX. Jude wants to build upon skills learned last year and grow in his faith. He is looking forward to the relational aspect of the program and wants work on "patience to learn who someone truly is, and their motives in life." Jude will be here for seven weeks.
Landis Johnston is returning after having attended the program in 2022. He is 19 and from Gastonia, NC. His parents have been a significant part of the Uplift story. Kenny and Julie both went through the eight week program in 2000 and both returned in the years after in various capacities. Landis feels "called by God to spend another summer at Uplift." He desires to grow in his ability to lead, especially in servant leadership. He is attending the seven week program.
Talan Penley is 17 and from McKinney TX. He is also returning from last summer and will be here for seven weeks. Talan "loves the culture of the camp and the unique stillness and ability to grow in faith". He wants to work on how to talk to and influence other people, as he feels we are all reflections of Christ.
Matthew Yoder is 17 and is from Montezuma, GA. A brother and sister from his family have attended Uplift in the past. He would like to "grow closer to God and learn new skills." He is also looking forward to meeting new friends and having fun.
Matthew will be here for five weeks.
Wesley Bennett is 15 and literally lives just across the county road from us here in Westcliffe. "I want to grow in my relationship with God and better myself," says Wesley. He also added that he wants to have fun. I am good with that! A goal of his is to "grow in the knowledge of God and walk the path he has for me." Wesley will be here for three weeks.
We also want to take a moment to promote the
TEEN LEADERSHIP FORUM
happening this summer!
Teaching / Adventure / Encouragement / Resources
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Visit the TEEN LEADERSHIP FORUM page in the menu above for more information and to register.
The days are finally warming up (we did have snow a couple of days ago - but the flowers are winning!
We are also working! Work on the chapel at the forefront right now. Uplift Partner Brandon is cutting trim and dad is painting. More on that and other projects next month.
THERE IS STILL TIME AND SPACE TO PLAN YOUR UPLIFT VISIT!