Report of the
Pinebrook Bible Conference
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Faith is a tricky thing. It’s difficult to pinpoint in tangible, physical ways or via the five senses, yet, demonstrations of its effect abound. We as churchmen not only experience this in our own spiritual lives but see the transforming power of God’s grace through faith on a daily basis. The writer of Hebrews summed it up well noting faith’s assurance is based on hope and things not seen. Yet it is very real. It’s not a leap into some deep, dark chasm.
Faith has been tested at Pinebrook over the past few years. We believed that this viable ministry of God should continue. We had faith, not always the strongest, that God would bring us through some deep and troubling waters. For a time it was touch-and-go. Money was extremely tight – hand-to-mouth. Prayers for the Lord to increase our faith were sent heavenward on a daily basis.
In our situation the type of faith needed jumped from Hebrews to James. This faith required work – much work, hard work, intelligent work, wise work. God answered our prayers and rewarded our faith, as weakly as it was, and provided a man, Jay Reinhard, to come along side, put pencil to paper and figure out what was wrong and where we could cut back. Jay was able to save us $45,000 in rebates, from overcharging, cutting back, etc. and righted the ship by utilizing sound, financial principles and procedures. That, along with an upswing in retreat requests and opening up the summer for weekend retreats, gave us a tremendous 2009 and a good start for 2010.
All glory, of course, goes to God, but many thanks are given to those of you who stood by us during those trying times. Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement. Also thanks for your financial gifts and keep them coming! Although our churches are being assessed by the BFC none of that money is earmarked for Pinebrook. In fact, Pinebrook is being assessed just like the churches. So, we need your continual financial support.
A vigorous winterization program was started before the onslaught of last winter. An outdoor wood-burning unit was placed behind Honeybrook. Herb Sheet Metal from Lebanon, PA, replaced duct-work and added some insulation in all of the motel units. Windows were replaced in the Dining Hall and various adjustments, including a pool cover, were made for the indoor pool permitting us to reopen it. We are happy to announce that all of this helped us reduce the amount of heating fuel by about 7,000 gallons despite the fact that it was a colder winter than the year before.
As we enter a new year (77th since our founding and 42nd as a BFC ministry), we are working hard to fill up this place with new groups and some of our own new retreats. We’re also open to suggestions and would love to partner with you and your church. Pinebrook is in the business of providing a facility and taking care of your needs for a one day, weekend or week-long retreat. We hope that you will think of us first. Let’s work together as we strive to fulfill our missions statement which says: “offer real hope to the real world by committing all of our resources for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
What’s New at Pinebrook?
1. Camp Fire Ring: A generous gift from a family at our Las Cruces, NM, church is making this dream become a reality. Patterned after some of the camp fires at Word of Life, this amphitheater will get great use with our many teen retreat groups as well as during the summer.
2. Expanded Plan to Winterize & Modernize: Both winterizing and modernizing are needed for Pinebrook to continue to minister. As you know, our buildings are old. Our plan Steps to the Summit, has us doing both at the same time. We’ve listened to our guests and are responding to their needs for nicer rooms, more control over room temperature as well as better insulation. The cost is about 10-grand per room for Overbrook, Sunnybrook and Honeybrook. We believe it is well worth it and will give us many more years of use in these buildings. The plan also stretches us in the future to building a lodge where the old two-story dorm used to be (between the pool and Lake House). We hope this facility will meet the needs for many couples.
3. Staff Changes: During 2009 we saw several key people leave and hired some key people to replace them. The Associate Director, Errin Mulberry, left for ministry at our Sinking Spring Church. Chef Douglas Ryan is now ministering to homeless people in Florida. Mark Cicchinelli is now directing a children’s camp in Ohio. And Bob Titus retired at the end of the year. We added Steve Rau, originally from our Ephrata church, as Program Director; Matt Allen as Director of Food Services; and at the start of 2010, Mike Stettler (long time friend of Pinebrook), on maintenance.
The list of employees and jobs are as follows: Matt Allen (Director of Food Services), Vonnie Allen (Dining Hall Manager), Jeremy Beichler (Director of Grounds & Facilities), Heather Devenezia (Registrar), Nate Heater (Maintenance), Jim Herrold (Retreat Booker), Jeremy Kellerman (Grounds, Paintball), Lisa Kellerman (Retreat Sales), Ann Lee (Bookstore & Office), Steve Rau (Director of Programming & Conference Host), Amber Ryan (Custodial), Mike Stettler (Maintenance), John Vandegriff (Director of Development & Marketing, Assistant to Director), Ruthie Vandegriff (Accounting & Dining Hall). We also have a plethora of part-time workers as well as volunteers and, of course the very popular RWRs (Retreat Within a Retreat). Without these folks we could not function!
The Pinebrook Board of Directors continues to give leadership, counsel and advice. They are working through the new paradigm of BFC leadership. With this in mind the Board is in the process of rewriting bylaws and manuals. The Board hopes to expand its membership, opening up a few slots for Christian leaders who may not be a part of the BFC. We do, however, wholeheartedly embrace our relationship with the BFC and hope that the new working relationship with the BFC Executive Board and Executive Director will be fruitful and fulfilling.
Pinebrook continues to sponsor her own retreats and events. In 2009 we held the following: 7 Hymn Sings: 7 weeks of Summer Bible Conference; Spring Ladies Refresh♡Her; Fall Senior Saints Retreat; . Golf Fundraiser. The Christmas Banquet was canceled due to snow.
Pinebrook continues to partner with East Stroudsburg Christian Academy as well as several churches, one, of which (Provision of Promise), holds its weekly services in the White Chapel on Sunday evening.
We hope that you will support Pinebrook in the following ways: (1) Prayer; (2) Help – labor, RWRs; (3) Encouragement; (4) Financial giving.
The Apostle James noted that faith without works is dead and we need to work out our salvation. This is not a “works salvation” but a salvation that works. So is our faith. We need to believe that God can and, in the process we need to be busy in the work of the Lord. As I continue in my sixth year as Director of Pinebrook, I plan to do just that. I hope you will continue to come along side of me in this endeavor. Let’s work for the glory of God and have faith to see Him continue to do a mighty work through and in us.
Wishing you Joy in Jesus
Dan Allen
2010 – 2011 Dates of Interest (subject to change)
– Hymn Sings – April 9, May 7, June 4, Sept. 10, Oct. 1; Nov. 5, Dec. 3
– Ladies Refresh♡Her (4/23-25) Speaker: Cindy Foor; Theme: “Taste & See, that the Lord is Good”
– Golf Fund Raiser (6/11)
– Flower Planting Weekend (6/12)
– Summer Staff arrives (6/21)
– 1st Conference (6/27-7/2) Speaker – Dr. Ed Gross: Concert – King’s Army; Host Pastor – Jonathan Arnold
– 2nd Conference (7/4-9) Speaker – Rev. Steve Cornell; Concert –Calling Levi; Host Pastor – Brian Cooper
– 3rd Conference (7/11-16) Speaker – Dr. Tom Taylor; Outdoor Concert & Fireworks – Bruce Heffner & Grace Notes; Host Pastor – Bill Schlonecker
– 4th Conference (7/18-23) Speaker – Dr. Ray Pritchard; Concert – Don Wyrtzen; Host Pastor – Andy Crossgrove
– 5th Conference (7/15-30) Speaker – Dr. Wendell Calder; Concert – Gordy & Marie; Host Pastor – Alva Cassel
– 6th Conference (8/1-6) Speaker – Dr. Ron Blue; Concert – Mark Cable; Host Pastor – Dave Schlonecker
– 7th Conference (8/8-13) Speaker – Dr. Jim Ayers; Concert – Charlotte Ritchey; Host Pastor – Cal Reed
– Senior Saints Retreat (10/18-21) Speakers – Lynn Warner & Tom Taylor
– Encounter w/Grief – Encounter w/God (Grief Share Retreat) (12/3-5) – Author, Jennifer Sands
– Christmas Banquet (12/18)
– BFC SnoGlo (1st three full weekends of January 2011)
– Ladies Refresh♡Her (4/29-May 1, 2011)
Board of Directors, Pinebrook Bible Conference, Alva C. Cassel, Chairman; Charles Cole, Vice Chairman; Charles Bomgardner, Secretary; Jay Fasnacht, Treasurer; Carl Ackerman, Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Brian H. Cooper, Kermit K. Gehman, LeRoy O. Herb, Gerald Schlonecker, Hans R. Waldvogel, Robert Zentz. Added members: Wayne Chadwell, Gary Karch.
Daniel P. Allen, Director