Report of the
Pinebrook Bible Conference
Pinebrook Bible Conference held its first official convocation as an agency of the BFC on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 1968. There have been many difficulties, discouragements, challenges and tough situations since that day but there has also been many tremendous blessings, spiritual victories and life-changing experiences won in the lives of hundreds if not thousands of children, young people and adults on these holy grounds.
We continue to strive for excellence in providing for the physical, material and spiritual needs of our guests. Our staff is committed to the task of making Pinebrook a true “Pinnacle” facility and to this end we have finished the second year of our five-year development plan, PINNACLE PROJECT.
The Long-Range Planning Committee and the Pinebrook administration in particular is also working on a Master Plan of development. It was our hope to present this plan to this Annual Conference with final approval of our board. We are seeking to evaluate and project the future ministry potential that can be provided to the BFC and the Church universal on the present grounds which we own as we face the tremendous opportunities of the 21st Century. There are three main areas that we are studying:
1. Estate Program – need for staff housing
2. Provincial Program – New administration facilities, book store, recreational and lounge facilities.
3. Charter Program – New deluxe motel facilities which could also accommodate families that may choose deluxe accommodations. This will alsoinclude different configuration of some of our present motels.
The administration is also committed to financial integrity and responsibility. We continue to operate this ministry in the black and are making great strides to remove our indebtedness. However, it is obvious to us that if we are to adopt a Master Plan of Development and seek to aggressively develop it, it will be necessary for us to make a substantial loan. It is our hope that we will eliminate all other debts before we launch into an expanded development. We believe that it is possible that all or nearly all debt will be paid by Dec.31, 1997. Our 1997 budget is carrying a debt service of $44,000 and this can be applied to debt service for 1998, and is sufficient to make a loan which could be used to fund the expense of developing the “Provincial Program” of the Master Plan presented by the Long-Range Planning Committee. This is contingent on the preliminary approval of the Pinebrook Board of Directors meeting on June 12, 1997 and the final approval of the plans and financial package to be given to the Pinebrook Board of Directors at their meeting on December 11, 1997. We are also committed to maintain rates which are very reasonable for both the retreats and the summer program. Slight increases have been made and will continue, but a survey has showed us that our retreat rates are very competitive and our summer rates are well below all others. It is also our opinion that we offer facilities above the average as it relates to our rates. We have also been told by many that the improved menu which we began in the beginning of 1996 has placed Pinebrook well above almost all other similar Bible Conferences in the selection, quality and quantity of food served.
Our staff continues to serve with great dedication. Some of the new staff has brought an excitement and positive influence which has helped to inspire others who have been here a longer time. A special recognition is to be given to two couples, John and Edna Moran and David and Polly Thoman who both have resigned as staff members in the past but have continued on a part-time basis and have now found it necessary to retire from these part-time activities because of health reasons. We thank God for the faithful and loyal ministry of these dear folks in the years gone by.
Board of Directors, Pinebrook Bible Conference: Bert N. Brosius, Director; Alva C. Cassel, Pesident and Chairman; Harold L. Snyder, Vice President and Vice Chairman; Daniel P. Allen, Secretary; John F. Moran, Treasurer; Carl Ackerman, Lee E. Boyles, Kermit K. Gehman, LeRoy O. Herb, Robert F. Johnson, Calvin T. Reed, Gerald L. Schlonecker, John M. Stengele, James A. Wickstead