Report of the
Board of Directors, Pinebrook Bible Conference
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk,
that by it you may grow up to salvation.”
1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)
“Infants,” that is what young believers are likened to. As Peter infers, they begin as “new born babies” who naturally desire milk. Of course in other passages the inference is that solid food should replace milk as the babies mature in Christ (1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12).
Following this analogy, therefore, the church is a birthing room, nursery, school house, work place and geriatrics center. It covers the gambit from seekers to saints. We are thrilled when a seeker recognizes his/her need for a Savior and comes to the cross of Jesus Christ. We are delighted to watch them grow in the Lord. And, oh how wonderful it is to observe those seasoned saints as they continue to lead by example, demonstrating God’s grace in and through them.
Pinebrook Bible Conference sees her role in an ancillary capacity as she comes alongside of the church to help in the birthing, maturing and aging process. To begin with, since last Annual Conference we’ve had a lot of new births – from kits (baby foxes) to puffs of fur (baby woodchucks), two piglets, and quackers (baby ducks and geese) as well as four little humans (two boys, two girls – one of which was adopted). We celebrate all of this, but in the light of eternity, our purpose is the spiritual new births that have us and the angels in Heaven rejoicing. For example, during the three weekends of Sno Glo a conservative estimate of 50-60 hands were raised by those who prayed a prayer to receive Jesus as Savior. Add to this an early March retreat from an outside group which had an equal number who confessed Jesus Christ. Time and eternity will reveal how many of these actually made it through the birthing process, but this is an indicator of what is happening on these grounds. It would be fair to say that over the 74 years of ministry hundreds and even thousands claimed Pinebrook as their spiritual birthplace. All to the glory of God!
Pinebrook isn’t just an evangelistic center, but it is also about spiritual growth and maturity. At the same Sno Glo, approximately 125 came forward to indicate a desire to follow Christ or recommit their lives to the Lord. Every weekend, teens and adults are committing themselves to Jesus as well as literally thousands each year are sitting under the sound teaching and preaching of God’s Word. Add to this the spiritual training that takes place during the weeks of Summer Bible Conference, as Pinebrook continues to play a key role in the Kingdom of God. All to the glory of God!
To help in the process, especially with friends of Pinebrook, we have been adding our own retreats. Two were typically held in the past and continue – Spring Ladies Refresh♡Her and Senior Saints Retreat. Last year, we added the March Madness Men’s & Boys’ Encounter and this year, a Young Adult Retreat (geared for college-age kids and young married couples). Friday morning Hymn Sings continue to attract seniors. We appreciate Barry & Dianne Kauffman, from our Lancaster church, for assisting with these. The dates for 2007 and 2008 retreats and events are listed below.
Since last year, Pinebrook has added some amenities that are attracting groups and, at the same time, providing good, clean fun and entertainment. Thanks to donations from teens at Sno Glo and other supporters, snow-making equipment was purchased in December. The tubing hill provided a lot of fun for many kids. George and Sarah Smith, from our Walnutport church, joined the staff this year and with them came Paintball. Capture the Flag while “marking” opponents with paint will never be the same. We hope in the near future, to add a climbing wall and ropes course.
Other new staff joined us during the course of last year. After a 30-year absence John and Ruthie Vandegriff, longtime Pinebrook supporters and former employees, returned to the staff as Conference Host & Registrar. Another former employee, Jim Herrold, is also back with the job of obtaining retreats. With Jim and John working together (the Jim & I project), we have seen a tremendous increase in new retreats. Our goal of filling this place 52-weekends a year is becoming a reality. Doug Ryan, along with his family, has taken over the cooking responsibilities. Chef Doug is raising us to new levels in food services. His oldest daughter, Amber, is overseeing the Snack Shop.
Despite working in an aging facility, over 74 years old, we continue to maintain the buildings and do upgrades. The “Lake House” was completely gutted and restored. Under-Overbrook is going through that same process. An early July flood forced our hand on this one. It, and eight other rooms in Sunnybrook and Overbrook, suffered the blunt of the flood waters. New carpets and thorough cleaning were done in each room.
A ministry as old as Pinebrook needs a fresh make-over on occasion. If we plan to be relevant in the years to come and provide a quality facility and programming, we will need to make necessary changes. To that end, the Strategic Planning Committee of the Pinebrook Board is devoting this year to evaluating our goals and rediscovering our vision.
East Stroudsburg Christian Academy continues to meet on the grounds at Pinebrook. The students have been a huge help in setting up rooms for each weekend retreat with some of the parents actually cleaning the guest rooms.
A cursory look at our financial statement reveals what appears to be a bleak picture. The negative figures for 2006 are worse than the two previous years. If the metaphorical concept of it being darker before the dawn is true, we believe we are on the verge of breaking through. One way of meeting our budget is by filling our weekends. The “Jim & I” project is doing that very thing. Retreats for 2007 are up compared to 2006. The December – February retreats were up more than 7% compared to the same time last year and Spring retreats are up almost 30%, with the Fall much better than 2006. But in order for us to really advance, financial gifts are needed. Gifts and offerings were only up 4% over last year, not including a large gift annuity. BFC giving totaled around $22,000 with several churches giving a majority of this.
Many BFCers use Pinebrook’s facilities and directly support us with their giving and/or paying of fees. Most churches, on the other hand, only give a “token” gift to Pinebrook. If this truly is our conference center, we are going to need more money. If each church were to double what they gave last year, which for many would only be a couple of hundred dollars, we could start advancing and begin upgrading our facilities.
The other area of assistance is in regards to helpers. RWR (Retreat within a Retreat) is a great way for church youth groups or adults to assist us during weekends. These groups serve in the Dining Hall, Kitchen, Snack Shop and closing up the camp for the week. Workers are also needed any time and for a variety of projects. The wish list of jobs to be completed before the summer is as follows:
• Bridge built (behind Sunnybrook)
• Guest Services Building portico needs to be rebuilt
• Under-Overbrook – lots of work
• Landscaping around the fire pond and in various other spots
• Painting, wood chopping, flower planting (June 9), etc. etc.
Other jobs waiting in the wings:
• Renovation of the restrooms in Fellowship Hall (adding several stalls in each)
• Staircase – walkway to Director’s Study
If you can send a work team or just a few to assist, please contact us @ 570.424.1212.
I wish to thank all the staff that surrounds me here at Pinebrook – Jeremy Beichler, Mark & Peggy Cicchinelli, Jess Creeden, Nate Heater, Jim Herrold, Ann Lee, Amber Ryan, Doug Ryan, George & Sarah Smith, Bob Titus, Joel Trayer, John & Ruthie Vandegriff and their families, plus my lifetime companion, Vonnie, and a bunch of part-timers. Especially I thank my associate Errin Mulberry for his tireless efforts to keep everything afloat. The Pinebrook Board is also deserving of thanks. They continue to keep us on track. We are truly blessed with a great staff and board.
Pinebrook is preparing herself for next year’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. This will include special speakers and musicians, plus a Cruise (October 11-18, 2008). But we do not plan to rest on our laurels. There is much work to be done as an incubator and learning center that should keep us busy until we hear that, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Incidentally, as the Director, I would consider it an honor and privilege to come to your church representing Pinebrook and my Lord. Allow me to re-introduce Pinebrook to your folks.
Wishing you Joy in Jesus
Dan Allen
2007 – 2008 Dates of Interest (subject to change)
April 13 – Friday Morning Hymn Sing – Michael Lambertson
April 27-29 – Ladies Refresh♡Her
May 4 – Friday Morning Hymn Sing – Tom Hearton
May 18 – Golf Fund Raiser
June 9, 10 – Flower Planting Weekend
June 17 – Summer Staff arrives
June 23 – Week 1: Concert – Mark Cable; Speaker – Donald Hubbard: Host Pastor – Jonathon Arnold
June 30 – Week 2: Concert – Gordy & Marie; Speaker – Bruce McCrackin; Host Pastor – Brian Cooper
July 7 – Week 3: Concert – Matt Blagg; Speaker – Jim Ayers; Host Pastor – Bill Schlonecker
July 14 – Week 4: Concert – Kings Army; Speaker – ; Host Pastor – Byron Widger
July 21 – Week 5: Concert -Don Wyrtzen; Speaker – Tom Taylor; Host Pastor – Alva Cassel
July 28 – Week 6: Concert – Instruments of Praise; Speaker – Wendell Calder; Host Pastor – Ralph Soper
Aug 4 – Week 7: Concert – David Musselman; Speaker – Ron Blue; Host Pastor – Cal Reed
Sept. 7 – Friday Morning Hymn Sing – Bruce Heffner
Oct. 5 – Friday Morning Hymn Sing – Paashaus Brothers
Oct. 23-25 – Senior Saints Retreat: Speaker – Lynn Warner
Dec. 7 – Friday Morning Hymn Sing
Dec. 15 – Christmas Banquet
Jan. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20 – BFC Sno Glo
Feb. 15-17 – Young Adult Retreat
Feb. 29-Mar.1 – Men’s & Boys’ Retreat
Apr. 25-27 – Ladies Refresh♡Her
October 11-18 – 75th Anniversary Cruise
Board of Directors, Pinebrook Bible Conference, Alva C. Cassel, Chairman & President; Charles E. Cole, Vice Chairman & Vice President; Charles Bomgardner, Secretary; Jay Fasnacht, Treasurer; Carl Ackerman, Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Brian H. Cooper, Kermit K. Gehman, LeRoy O. Herb, Don Kuntzman, Financial Secretary; Gerald Schlonecker, Hans R. Waldvogel, Robert H. Zentz
Daniel P. Allen, Director; Errin G. Mulberry, Associate
Balance Sheet
[not included here]