Located just 15 miles east of Asheville and nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of eastern North Carolina sits the Ridgecrest Conference Center, the fulfillment of a vision God planted within the heart of Bernard Spilman in 1895.
With a passion for disciple-making, Spilman longed to create an environment where believers could “meet and learn how to teach the Bible to the multitudes.” Along those same lines, he felt a clear calling to establish such a place where distractions would be minimal and the surroundings would focus attention on the Creator.
He searched a number of places, but consistently felt drawn to the idea of a “Big Mountain,” so he continued looking until he stepped off a train in Terrell, North Carolina in August 1906. When he saw it, he knew this was the place he had envisioned, the place God had set aside. Centrally located to New York, Chicago, Little Rock, New Orleans, and Orlando – within 500 miles from each – the site would be accessible to scores of groups and gatherings. Committees were assembled, meetings were held, votes were cast, names were chosen, an organization was incorporated, the land was purchased, buildings were built, and in the summer of 1909, 600 people gathered together for the first summer program. Vision had become reality.
This week, over 100 years later, that vision continues. And this summer, our students will be among the assembly of those getting away, gathering, worshiping, serving, and becoming more like Christ.
This week, I want us to be praying, daily, for our students and adults* as they are at camp:
- Lailey
- Matthew*
- Ava
- Medley
- Sophie
- Maddox
- Molly
- Isaac
- Kenai
- Isabelle
- Alexandra
- Jonah
- Taylor
- Amber
- Mia*
- Sammi
- Lauren*
- Ellie
- Jeremiah
- Zac*
- Rose
- Mya
- Cadence
- Teresa*
- Emily
- Gabi
- Madeline
- Julie*
- Ethan
- Jake
Pray for safety as they travel, protection as they serve, relationships to be formed, disciples to be made, and God to be honored.
What’s your vision?
What’s your mountain?
Can you see God at work?
Can you imagine all that He wants to do?