We are so excited to share with you, news of a once-in-a-century sort of news!

God has chosen to bless Mount Hermon with a strategic property acquisition that will protect our borders and enhance our ministry for generations to come.

Watch this video link to hear JR Loofbourrow, Director of Advancement, explain the details.

Below the video screen you can read our press release which will become public today. Thank you for your prayers of gratitude and guidance.  Your partnership with us has been and will be critical as we discern how God will lead us to steward this fantastic asset.

Alden Johanson
Acting Director

This week, Mount Hermon Association, Inc. (MHA), which has operated Christian camps and conferences in the San Lorenzo Valley since 1906, completed the purchase of about 15 acres of undeveloped land from South County Housing Corp. (SCH) of Gilroy, CA. The land is adjacent to Felton Faire Shopping Center, and across E. Zayante Road from MHA’s Redwood Camp.

SCH bought the property in 2006 for the purpose of developing affordable housing units on the site. After encountering substantial community concerns, and faced with serious declines in the local real estate market, SCH approached MHA about buying the property from them.

MHA intends to use the property for various camping purposes – and will work with local residents and groups to ensure that our uses are compatible with community values. For example, we would propose plans that are:

• Essentially “green,” open, and scenic
• Mainly for recreation.
• Enriching the lives of children in a beautiful natural environment.

Any interested parties with questions or comments are encouraged to contact the
Mount Hermon leadership team at 831.430.1230.

May 18, 2012

View of meadow looking towards Redwood Camp

View of meadow looking towards Graham Hill Rd.

View of meadow looking towards Felton Faire Shopping Center

Wordserve agent Barbara Scott, multi-published author (fiction and non) Mary DeMuth, and more will join us on Twitter TONIGHT with tips, techniques and how-tos to help showcase your manuscript in the best way possible. Learn how to present your pitch, plus—the one thing you must never EVER do.

And… thanks to Mary DeMuth, we have MORE PRIZES!

While you’re desperately awaiting tonight’s life-changing event, check out Mary DeMuth’s Queries Now: You Can Write One Today! and literary agent Rachelle Gardner’s: Secrets of a Great Pitch.

Utilize Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method and agent Steve Laube’s Say it in a Sentence to develop a solid one-sentence summary—then bring your tweetable pitch TONIGHT.

And please—help spread the word by sharing the link to this blog wherever writers gather!

If you’ve never joined a Twitter chat before, do not despair. It’s as easy as 1-2-3-4-5

1)                     Log into your Twitter account

2)                     Go to tweetchat.com

3)                     Click Sign In (the top right corner)

4)                     Click authorize app

5)                     At the top of the screen is a box labeled Enter Hashtag to Follow, type in FaithLitChat (# sign not necessary)

**To the right of each tweet are icons for Replying and Retweeting

This week I am tackling one of my favorite parts of the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference—matching first-time registrants with their pre-conference buddies.

Maybe you’ve heard of this program, known as the Buddy System. You might be wondering . . .

What is the Buddy System?

Think of the Buddy System as a pre-conference mentoring program. If you ask to be part of it, you will have someone to answer your pre-conference questions, help you set realistic goals and understand what to expect, pray for you, and offer pointers on pitching ideas to editors, choosing workshops and getting the most out of the conference. You will also have someone to check in with during the conference.

I want a buddy. How can I get one?

If you are attending the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference for the first time and want a buddy, contact me at jeanettehanscome@sbcglobal.net and ask me to add you to the list.

How does one qualify to be a buddy?

If you want to serve as a buddy, the only requirement is that you have attended the conference at least once. If you don’t feel ready to offer tips on approaching editors and submitting book proposals, don’t let that stop you. There are ways for you to help. I need a lot of buddies!

Is serving as a buddy time consuming?

Serving as a buddy mostly involves answering questions via e-mail, offering guidance as needed, and helping your first-timer feel welcome. Newbies are encouraged to step out and enjoy the conference once they arrive, so other than attending the Friday night Meet & Greet and checking in with your first-timer(s) partway through the weekend, serving will not interfere with your personal conference goals. Those who serve as buddies say that it is extremely rewarding and fun. Think of it as a way of giving back and offering someone else the encouragement and guidance that you needed as a newbie. To sign up as a buddy or find out more, e-mail me at jeanettehanscome@sbcglobal.net.

“Have I missed the deadline?”

I am matching first-timers with buddies this week, but you can still contact me after that. Even if you sign up for the conference at the last minute, feel free to e-mail me. While you might not have time to benefit from pre-conference mentoring, I have some helpful resources for you.

With all that the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference has to offer, how could coordinating a buddy program be one of your favorite parts?

A friend and I started the Buddy System several years ago as a way of giving back to the conference that had given us so much. It has been fun to watch the program grow and see God use it to form friendship and help writers gain confidence. It is especially exciting when former first-timers start serving as buddies.

So if you were a newbie last year, I would love to hear from you!

Writers Conferences are popping up everywhere—what’s a writer to do?

Join #FaithLitChat and get your questions answered!

Should you attend any of them?

Which one?

Why?

At what point in your writing career?

Which conference will best suit your individual needs?

And how, oh how, can you justify the expense?

#FaithLitChat, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference’s first-ever Twitter chat is on for Thursday, February 23^rd from 6-7pm PST. Aka: TOMORROW NIGHT!

Authors James Scott Bell, Mary DeMuth and a host of Christian Publishing pros (agents and editors included) will be available to discuss conference etiquette, tips and how-tos and answer your specific publishing questions. Plus… there will be PRIZES.

Join #FaithLitChat for a chance to win!!

A 15-minute phone consultation with literary agent Barbara Scott of WordServe Literary. Pitch your project or pick her brains—the choice is yours!

A 5-10 page (double spaced) non-fiction critique by author Jan Kern of the Mount Hermon critique team.

A 20 page (double spaced) fiction critique—and a free 30 minute follow-up conversation—with novelist Ginny Yttrup.

Plus, books, books, books and more!!

If you’ve never joined a Twitter chat before, do not despair. It’s as easy as 1-2-3-4-5

1)                     Log into your Twitter account

2)                     Go to tweetchat.com

3)                     Click Sign In (the top right corner)

4)                     Click authorize app

5)                     At the top of the screen is a box labeled Enter Hashtag to Follow, type in FaithLitChat (# sign not necessary)

**To the right of each tweet are icons for Replying and Retweeting

It’s possible #FaithLitChat will become a regular event so be sure to tune in and give us your thoughts on future topics!

When I step onto the grounds of Mount Hermon this spring for the annual Christian Writers Conference, I’ll do so knowing I’m treading on sacred ground. It isn’t just the rich history of Christian ministry that’s taken place there over the last 100+ years—nor is it the grandeur of creation—the redwoods standing as sentries declaring the glory of God. Those are simply the backdrops against which God fulfills dreams dreamt in accordance with His will. And that, in my mind, is sacred territory.

20 years ago, I was a shy, insecure 30 year old with a husband and two toddlers back at home. I’d barely graduated from high school and hadn’t attended college, instead choosing to marry at 19. All I brought with me to that first writers conference was a dream. Lord, I’d love to be a writer, I’d confessed earlier that year.

Year after year, I returned to the conference. And year after year, my knowledge increased. Everything I now know about writing, I learned through the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference—knowledge garnered through the many workshops I attended or through the relationships I built.

When I reached 47 years of age, I was still dreaming the same dream. But now, the husband was gone, the toddlers were grown, and for the first time in my adult life I was staring at the daunting task of having to provide for myself, and my future. I was dependent on God as never before—which is a frightening, and oh so glorious position. It’s also sacred ground.

Two weeks into my new adventure with God, I received an email from my agent, Steve Laube, who I’d met through the conference. The email simply said, Call me. I was in transition, with my life crashing around me, and I’d neglected to give Steve my new phone number. I picked up the phone that morning and heard the news that God was finally fulfilling my dream. But not only fulfilling it, He was exceeding it.

By the time I hung up the phone, I’d verbally accepted a three-book offer with B&H Publishing Group. Not one book, but three, with advances, actual money, attached to each book. And, I’d be working with my dream editor, Karen Ball.

Just remembering that morning leaves me speechless all over again.

Last December, I signed a second three-book contract with B&H Publishing Group. While we all know writers don’t make enough to live on, I’ve lived the last two years working as a full-time author. I’m not sure how that’s worked, but I choose not to look at the numbers too often and instead trust that God is again exceeding my expectations.

Speaking of numbers, yes, it was 17 years before God fulfilled my dream. But those were not wasted years.

Here are a few things I learned along the way:

1)   If God has planted the seed of a dream in your heart, it will take root and flourish.

2)   God will equip and prepare you for the fulfillment of your dream.

3)   At some point, God will ask you to surrender your dream to Him. For the dream is never more important than the One who planted the dream.

4)   God acts in His time and His way, always with your best in mind.

5)   If you are chasing the will of God, you will encounter obstacles. Perseverance isn’t optional.

6)   God is in the business of doing exceedingly abundantly more than we expect.

7)   Exceedingly and Abundantly are ly adverbs and using ly adverbs breaks the rules of writing. It has something to do with telling versus showing.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory…

Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

I hope to see you walking the sacred ground of the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference this spring.

Ginny L. Yttrup is the author of Words and Lost and Found, both of which released to rave reviews. She is working to complete her third novel with B&H Publishing Group, and is contracted for three more after that. She is a child of God, mother, friend, and obsessive pet-lover. She attended her first Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference 20 years ago, when she was just 5 years old.

Till you are bathed in Liz Curtis Higgs‘ encouragement and humor

42 Days

Till you are surrounded by God’s presence, His people, His creation

42 Days

Till you connect with major publishers and the industry’s most respected literary agents

42 Days

Till professional writers pour themselves into you and your manuscript

42 Days

Till you are fed, pampered and loved—dishes and laundry cease to exist

42 Days

Till you are one step closer to having your dreams come true

42 Days

Have you registered yet?

Now I am the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Mount Hermon, a Christian camp.  I love my job and I believe wholeheartedly in the importance of camp ministry in the lives of students.  In fact, it was Mount Hermon’s vision for three vital partnerships that enticed me into doing youth ministry in a camp setting.  I now believe, more than ever, that youth ministry needs camping ministry. However, youth ministry needs camping ministries that understand their role in the big picture of youth ministry.

For camp ministry to maximize it’s impact in the lives of students and fit into the big picture of youth ministry, it has to foster and build three main partnerships throughout the year:

1. Parent partnerships--Camps must realize that parents have the primary responsibility for discipling students.  First and foremost, youth ministry is not a camp’s job and it’s not the church’s job, it’s the parent’s job.  This means that camping ministry has the privilege of figuring out creative ways to communicate and partner with parents both before and after a student attends camp.  The more parents know about their student’s camp experience, the better.
2. Church partnerships–Christian youth camps must also realize that they exist to serve the church.  Youth workers in the local church are the ones who will see, and minister to, these students the other 357 days of the year.  That being said, we can’t expect that 1 week, or weekend, out of 51 is enough to sustain students in their faith.  Any decision made at camp needs to be reinforced and worked out in the community of the local church.  This has to be kept at the forefront of our minds as we plan out and execute camp programming.
3. Student partnerships–It’s great for camps to follow up with students if they understand the importance of the first two partnerships.  However, all of our work with students should strive to connect them with two main things: the Word of God and the People of God.  For camp to be more than just a mountaintop experience for students, they must get connected to God’s Word and God’s people.  If we can help them take steps towards doing this, we can help them draw closer to the God who loves them more than we could ever imagine.

J. R. Loofbourrow Director of Advancement

It’s January and a fresh new year lies ahead.  Over the last century God has generously blessed Mount Hermon through people just like you.  Your gift is part of a living legacy.

A wonderful note accompanied a 2011 year-end gift from a family with their own living legacy.

“…Last summer we sent our grandson to Ponderosa Lodge. His friend was able to join him, thanks to help from your Campership Fund.  Thank you for making that possible.  At the end of the week when we picked them up, the first thing they asked was: Will we be able to come back next year?  We would like to make that experience possible for twenty-five campers in 2012.  Twenty-five times three hundred thirty-one equals eight thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollars.  May God use these camperships to bless and reach people for His Kingdom…”

We’re excited about 2012 because the opportunities to help people focus on Jesus Christ continue to grow!  Young and old can come to Mount Hermon, step away from the distractions of daily life and hear the clear loving message of the Gospel.  The need has never been greater, and because of your prayers and financial investments, you are a part of all that happens here.

Thank you for joining us on this adventure!  With the new-year we start all over again and we pledge to apprise you of our needs and to do so with integrity.  If we can serve you in any way, we are always as close as your phone, so please feel free to call us anytime at 831.430.1237.

On behalf of Roger Williams and the entire Mount Hermon family, thank you for being our partners in ministry!

This year at our  2012 Mount Hermon Writers Conference, EIGHT agents will be available to registrants, more than we’ve ever had.  Many have agented for multiple years and know the ropes well.  Janet Kobobel Grant, Steve Laube, Less Stobbe, Wendy Lawton, Diane Flegal have all been in the business for a long time and have well-known writers in their stables.  Karen Ball, Barbara Scott and Joel Kneedler have been in the publishing business for years and now have started agenting.  Their experience on both sides of the court is incredible.

Where else can you have access to so many agents in a limited space? Come get to know some of the best in the business and see what God will do with your writing through the connections available to you this year.  Check us out at www.mounthermon.org/writers.  Hope to see you in March.

Mount Hermon will always be near and dear to my heart because it is where Christ pursued me to be His disciple. This past summer, I experienced Ponderosa Lodge from an entirely new perspective; I was a CILT.  CILT, or Campers in Leadership Training, is a two week program in which high school students are trained to share the love of God with junior highers. As amazing as being a leader for younger girls was for me, CILT also provided me with the opportunity to dive deeper into my own faith, and to create bonds with other Christians in high school who truly love Jesus. When you’re a CILT, the entire Ponderosa staff pours their love into you constantly. Then, you are blessed with the chance to pour your own love into campers. CILT taught me a lot about what it looks like to not just be a follower, but a disciple. Serving God and others is so fulfilling, and at the same time you’re having so much FUN!

One of the most noticeable characteristics about being in a leadership role is the challenges you face. I’ve been a camper for seven summers now, and have always been terrified of the leap of faith. One day when I was with my campers at the ropes course, one asked me to be her partner for the jump, and without hesitation I accepted. I’m not sure why her request was so easy to answer, but I know that God was working through me. God really gave me countless ways to be a leader during CILT, and every boundary I grew past brought me closer to being a true disciple.

Another challenge brought on by CILT was knocking down your walls. The entire first week of CILT is spent training to be a leader, and bonding with your fellow CILTs because they are your family. We all had to open up about the tough stuff, but being able to admit your struggles brings you so much closer to God and shows you how much your “family” cares about you.

CILT was undoubtedly the best adventure I’ve ever experienced.