On the surface, winter with its cracking and cold seems like the enemy of life. Everything sleeps as though dead, and Camp — quiet and empty — sits waiting. But under the surface, winter is revealed to be a friend to life, not an enemy. In the deep frost, God opens the soil for Spring’s seeds and sets aside the water for their young thirst.
Under the surface, God is preparing space for new things at Camp as well. If you were to peek into units 5 & 6 of the Twin Birch Motels, you would find a transformation happening in anticipation of Spring guests. Gino Rodriguez, our new Facilities Director. and his wife Eivy are busy remodeling these rooms (they were honestly a bit past their expiration date). This is Gino’s first big project at Camp, and it feels special as this couple are able to leave their mark on a place they have long loved. They’re almost humming with anticipation to see people enjoying God and fellowship in these spaces.
The new year opened for me with a funeral. Our NYC community said goodbye to John Smucker, one of the founding generation of Camp. John planted and pastored churches and invested himself in generations of urban workers through his teaching. But as we celebrated his legacy, it was abundantly clear that what appears to be death on the surface, is actually things opening for new life – represented in the many who now feel commissioned to carry on the work John started. Though I only met John once, I felt compelled in any way I can to continue what he started.
Jesus is continual renewal – the One who brings life from death. Please pray with us that the Lord will continue to bring the life of Christ into the darkness and death of those who do not know him. Also, please pray for Camp in our work of supporting many who find themselves in the Winter of life and ministry until the Spring of fresh revelation and hope. Finally, please also pray for the constant work at Camp of renewing our ministry and facilities to serve the youth, families, and churches of NYC.
Gino and Eivy Rodriguez, who head up Facilities and Housekeeping, are remodeling the walls, ceilings, and floors of Twin Birch Motels 5 & 6.
John Ivan Smucker (2/25/30 – 12/19/24) was a foundational leader among NYC Mennonites and beyond and a thought-leader on the Holy Spirit and mission: He addressed the 1987 Congress on The Holy Spirit and World Evangelism.
Video: Interview of John for his involvement in the Twin Parks Project in the Bronx. Watch documentary or jump to John’s Interview.
Read: “A Whole Lot of Faith” about John from Forever God is Faithful, The Story of Camp Deerpark.
Praise God With Us:
- Thanks so much to the Conestoga Mennonite Wood Cutting group who helped us take down many hazardous dead ash trees along the Brandt Road entrance and convert this into valuable firewood!
- Praise God for the life and work of John Smucker and the dedication and sacrifice of his family. May they be blessed and comforted. Thank God for the work that he passed on to many people in NYC and beyond.
- Thanks for many, many, donors and volunteers who supported Camp and encouraged us to carry on in our vital mission.
Please Pray For:
- Our relationship building with churches in our area and region beginning with sharing a week of prayer and fasting with Salt & Light Church in Montague NJ.
- Our relationship building with churches in the Anabaptist world beginning with prayer and fasting at the 3-day The Invitation event celebrating the Jan 21, 1525 baptism of the first Anabaptists.
- For timely completion of our Twin Birch 5&6 remodel for use by the end of February.
- Camp’s re-development of our ministry, training, and discipleship model and methods and our work with NYC Leaders and LMC Leaders on every-member missions, church multiplication, and movement dynamics.
- Recruitment for next year’s Summer Camp staff, especially Camp Pastor and Head Counselors.
Upcoming guests:
- Garifuna Pastors (Bronx / Brooklyn / Manhattan)
- Korean American Presbyterian Church of Queens
- Sun Eui Church of NY (Queens)
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