God is Still Here
In the spring of 2020, the bottom fell out of things for Heartland Camp. The COVID-19 virus had raised its ugly head and began to shut everything down. Camps all around the country began wrestling with the question of how to do camp in a socially distanced world. Many opted to not have a camp season at all.
The staff and the Board at Heartland were faced with the same hard decisions.
In addition, the retreat business at Heartland took a huge hit from the virus. Booked groups canceled. Future bookings dried up. Pretty soon the retreat business was at a total standstill.
This meant that the income stream for Heartland Camps and Retreat center for 2020 had become a tiny trickle. At one point, we wondered if this would signal the end of a 60+ year ministry. Could we survive 2020?
Then, something happened. God happened. More than one staff member reported an experience of being overwhelmed by a sense of calm—the knowing that if God wanted the ministry of Heartland to continue, all would be well. There was the idea, to quote the apostle Paul, “if we lived or if we died, we would do so with the Lord.” And so, as a staff and as a Board, we had to figure out how to adapt, and how to make the Heartland ministry happen in this new reality.
And God did provide.
In March of 2020, our donor giving was at its normal level. Then, our wonderful donor base heard of the challenges facing the camp, and giving skyrocketed. By June, the average amount donated to the camp doubled, and this level of giving continued throughout much of the year!
To those of you who stepped up to help us out, we can’t thank you enough!
At the same time, Heartland applied for and received some of the Payroll Protection Grants and loans that were made available. We were blessed to have a board member in the right place at the right time to help facilitate this. Sadly, there was some staff that had to be let go, but without the loans and grants we received, we would not have been able to continue to operate. The staff that stayed had to juggle multiple variables that were ever-changing, and wear numerous hats to keep things going. We owe all the staff our heartfelt thanks.
In addition, Heartland Presbytery graciously offered us a line of credit to use as needed to meet camp obligations. We never had to use this credit, but it was the safety net under the tightrope and we are grateful for the Presbytery’s willingness to provide us with this option.
““But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness,
and all these things will
be given to you as well. “
”
Other hard decisions had to be made. It was determined that we would not be able to offer Traveling Day Camp during 2020. The COVID restrictions and the staffing challenges just made this program unrealistic. However, thankfully we were able to successfully hold overnight camp and stationary day camp during the month of July. Look for more details about the 2020 camp experience in part 2 of this saga!
By Fall, some retreat business had returned. And we had a very successful first year of our fall fundraiser-Heartland’s Autumn Adventures. It seemed that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. We had in fact, made it through 2020.
It became apparent throughout the year that God still has work to do through the ministry of Heartland Camp and Retreat Center.
Therefore we will gratefully and joyfully continue from here with a renewed sense of our mission to provide a holy space where people can find a relationship with Christ, as long as the Lord is willing.
Praise the Lord!
By Sue Ann Seel