featuring
High in the Redwoods
Lives are being transformed through challenges.
Why We Do What We Do
Ponderosa Lodge: Intentional. Excellent. Focused. Amazing.
Socially Networked
Sharing the stories of mount hermon in new mediums
Mount Hermon LOG | November 2011–April 2012
November 1st, 2011 by Josh Bootz
November 1st, 2011 by Josh Bootz
Liz Curtis Higgs to Keynote Writers
October 31st, 2011 by Rachel Williams
October 31st, 2011 by Rachel Williams
Have you heard who’s speaking at our 2012 Mount Hermon Writers Conference? Well known speaker and author, Liz Curtis Higgs, has accepted our invitation to keynote, March 30-April 3, 2012. Learn more about her at www.lizcurtishiggs.com.
Liz will make you hold your sides with laughter, motivate you in your writing, and make you think about spiritual things in light of your projects, all in the same breath. If she was the only thing scheduled, it would be worth it, but there’s going to be much more . . .
Since the industry has recently been affected by e-books and self-publishing on the internet, we’re going to put more of an emphasis on finding out what’s involved in this area. Learn from Advanced e-book authors, James Scott Bell and Randy Ingermanson, some intermediate e-book gurus, and some who have just tried it recently and been successful. We hope to hit every level of writer in the process so you know what you’re getting into if you think this is what you’d like to do.
But we aren’t forgetting the value of our book houses and editors of magazines, either. Check out our faculty listing on the web www.mounthermon.org/writers to see who will be here to instruct you in the traditional art of publication. There are some great ones coming.
And this year we have EIGHT agents as well. In the past years agents have been the avenue for most successful writers being signed to contracts. Have you even considered this? Do you have a project that would warrant talking with an agent? It’s worth a try, isn’t it? This is a great spot to have that chance for networking with industry people.
Of course, there are the other intangibles that make this conference worth it’s price . . . connecting with other writers and finding encouragement and support, gaining instruction from our 8 Major Morning Tracks and the 40 afternoon workshops, enjoying some wonderful food around tables of eight, taking a break for a soul refreshing hike on our Sequoia Trail, or meeting an editor or a friend in the Snack Shop for a good talk and some awesome homemade ice cream.
Spring is a spectacular time of year in California, so don’t forget a camera to capture the incredible beauty of the towering redwoods, the splashes of color from the Dogwood trees, or Azaleas and Rhodedendrun bushes. It’s one of the best places on earth at the end of March!! Particularly if you’re from the Midwest or further East–get out of the snow and join us!
The website goes live tomorrow morning, 8:00 PTS. We look forward to having you here!
5 Lessons I Learned from Recess
October 18th, 2011 by Charlie Broxton
October 18th, 2011 by Charlie Broxton
Two weekends ago, Mount Hermon hosted a weekend gathering for youth workers called “Recess.” Youth workers came together from the Bay Area and the Central Valley to play, rest, connect and learn. I love learning and this weekend did not disappoint. Here are 5 simple lessons I learned from Recess:
- Youth workers are some of the most amazing people in the world--Youth workers give up their time, energy & resources to hang out with students who don’t often thank them or even realize the sacrifice that’s being made. Regardless, youth workers continue to be present with these students while modeling the love and grace of Jesus. Not only that, but each youth worker who attended Recess gave up a weekend of their free time to learn how to be a more effective minister of the gospel.
- We need each other–I have a tendency to think that I can do things on my own. Sometimes I am even so arrogant to think that I know better than any one else. The older I get, the more I realize how stupid that kind of thinking is. I was encouraged by spending the weekend with like-minded people who have similar passions and who are reaching and discipling youth with creativity.
- We all need seasoned mentors speaking into our lives and ministries--Our Recess speakers this year were Brian Berry and Duffy Robbins. For me, it was a blessing just to spend time with men who have been doing youth ministry for years and who have learned from their failures and successes. I could’ve spent many more hours with both of these guys just asking questions.
- You can never have too much training–The longer I am involved in youth ministry, the more I’m tempted to think that I’ve learned everything I need to learn. Yet, I always learn something new when I read, go to conferences or spend time with mentors and other youth workers. The old saying, “leaders are learners” is true. I want to continue to learn as long as I’m alive.
- Volunteer youth workers are my heroes–I get paid to do youth ministry; it’s my full-time job and that job pays my bills. Volunteer youth workers, on the other hand, have full-time jobs (or they are full-time students) yet they spend their precious free time ministering to students because they believe that they can make a difference for Jesus. That blows my mind!
Because Recess was such an amazing weekend, Mount Hermon will be hosting it again in 2012 on September 28-30. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details!
Be Ye Fishers of Men.
October 6th, 2011 by J. R. Loofbourrow
October 6th, 2011 by J. R. Loofbourrow
J. R. Loofbourrow Director of Advancement
I recently heard someone say:
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them – He’ll clean them.
When you think about it, Mount Hermon is on a non-stop fishing trip. Through God’s grace, there are plenty of life-changing fish stories to tell.
This past summer at Redwood Camp our staff was encouraged and challenged to be on the lookout for God on the move. We called them God Sightings, and they were amazing, exciting and numerous. Each staff member was asked to detail at least two. Below is how one counselor shared one of her experiences:
This summer the Lord has been teaching me and testing me in issues of trust. So often, I become anxious, and this occurs when I take matters of God, rip them from His hands, and clumsily try to juggle them. One week, my cabin was full of campers that knew nothing of Jesus or the Gospel. There was Buddha, reincarnation; you name it who, but no Jesus. I was overwhelmed and prayed that the Lord would at least plant some seeds. By the end of the week, Christ had been so transformational in my cabin that my girls committed their lives to Him. They spoke easily and with joy about the Gospel. They felt God’s love and presence as He perfectly orchestrated moments during the week that brought them to Him. I just needed to trust and lift my hands so that He could use His.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Thanks for being such an important part of our fishing crew! Your prayer and financial support enable the nets to be cast over and over and over again!
Summer Camp Through the Eyes of a Student
September 28th, 2011 by Charlie Broxton
September 28th, 2011 by Charlie Broxton
Ponderosa Lodge CILT Campers 2012
This is a guest post written by Evan, a high school student who attended Mount Hermon’s CILT camp this past summer. CILT is a 2-week program for juniors, seniors and graduated seniors that focuses on leadership development.
Whenever I am asked to put my experience of CILT in a few words I honestly don’t know how to do it. But in general CILT did the unimaginable for me and my walk with Christ. A quick way I’ve been able to explain the experience for others back home is telling them how, for basically forever, I have had NO idea what I wanted to become or do with my life after high school; what college I wanted, what job, any of it. No clue. But I can honestly and full heartedly say, after the blessing of the two weeks at Mount Hermon’s CILT, it was the very first time something felt RIGHT. It felt like it was exactly where I needed to be.
I have been going to Mt.Hermon since primary week at Redwood Camp, and that place has been like a second home to me. Something that I realized is that I have always been provided FOR there. And the most beautifully amazing thing CILT gave me was the opportunity to provide for others and not myself…and honestly, building people up in Christ is the most beautiful and incredible thing to ever be apart of, at least to me. And I got to do that for TWO WEEKS!!!
I became so vulnerable and open with people I had only known for 3 days and then God stepped right in and made those into friendships that I’m still in touch with literally everyday to this day and I still care for them SO much. I’ve seen God work through that in such ridiculous ways by bringing us together and it has been so so extremely cool. What was all the more rad was then going our separate ways into cabins of our own but still having each other as we put all our effort and strength pouring into these kids to bring them one step closer to Jesus.
Meanwhile, God himself was bringing us so much closer to him as well whether we knew it then or not. It’s that indescribable!
Start Making Plans for Writers Conference
September 1st, 2011 by Rachel Williams
September 1st, 2011 by Rachel Williams
There are only SEVEN more months before our 44th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference, March 30-April 3, 2012. It’s going to be a doozey! Is that a word?
Besides the normally wonderful parts of this conference–networking with other writers, getting to personally talk with book publishers, editors and agents–we’ll be pushing out a little, exploring alternative publishing with self-publishing, e-books etc. Building on our past two years of instruction on marketing and doing publicity by social networking on the web, we’ll bring in experts to help you learn the how-to’s.
The need for great writing won’t be forgotten in the process, however. You’ll have opportunity to learn from pros in the craft of writing, from Major Morning Tracks to optional hour long workshops in the afternoon. Every level of writer, be they beginning writer, intermediate or professional will have ample opportunity to learn a lot.
Liz Curtis Higgs
Our keynote speaker, Liz Curtis Higgs, is well known for her motivational, humorous teaching, as well as a great fiction writer with many books published. You’ll get that extra “push” each evening, along with great worship led by Mount Hermon’s own incomparable Dave Talbott, Host of the conference. Many say the evening sessions feed their souls like no other place on earth.
Great food in the dining room along with the awesome glory of the Redwoods and flowering trees in March will be the backdrop of an incredible experience. Come join several hundred other writers and see what God has to teach you this year!
We’ll leave the light on for ya . . .
Rachel Williams
Director, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference
Mount Hermon Ministry Update from J.R. Loofbourrow
August 18th, 2011 by Dan Dawson
August 18th, 2011 by Dan Dawson
J.R. Loofbourrow provides an update on the ministry taking place at Mount Hermon as well as an update to to the repairs to the buildings damaged by the storms experienced last winter. Thank you for your prayers and concerns about Mount Hermon during these times. Be encouraged! God is continuing to transform lives.
In addition to the photos below, you can also view a live webcam during the construction of Sequoia Lodge.
AMATA :: the Beloved of God
June 3rd, 2011 by Charlie Broxton
June 3rd, 2011 by Charlie Broxton
Listen up ladies! We have a few questions for you: Do you enjoy babysitting? Do you enjoy sleepovers with a large group of friends? Do you want to learn more about God’s incredible love for you? If you answered one or all of these questions with a heartfelt “YES” then continue reading…
Mount Hermon offers a two-week camp that is specifically just for you! Amata (which means “Beloved” in Italian) is one of the youth intensive programs for young women in 8th-10th grade. During your two weeks at Amata you’ll receive professional Babysitting experience as well as CPR/First Aid certification! You’ll use these skills as a way to serve the hundreds of families that come to Mount Hermon’s Family Camp each week. You’ll also spend your time living in a two-story house with other campers your age and the Amata staff. Talk about fun…sharing a house together, late-night talks and sleepovers, and exciting activities! There are four college-aged women who have chosen to spend a summer JUST WITH YOU; spending time with you, listening to you, and sharing life with you.
But most importantly, these two-weeks will give you the opportunity to know God in a deeper way. He loves you so much that He has chosen to call you His BELOVED. We want to journey this incredible truth with you, so that you’ll carry this with you when you return home to your family and friends. Amata is not just a mountain-top experience! It’s an opportunity to prepare, shape, and equip you to be the woman God has called you to be, His beloved.
Click here to learn more! We look forward to meeting you!
ECHO :: Can You Hear It?
June 2nd, 2011 by Charlie Broxton
June 2nd, 2011 by Charlie Broxton
This summer Mount Hermon Youth invites you to take a step into the unknown–to try something a little different; to serve like Jesus; to live in a small community of friends; to discover what a true life of joy is all about; to ask questions and find answers; to examine the road you’ve been on and explore the one ahead of you.
Echo is a 2-week camp experience that will stretch you in all aspects and present you with opportunities to encounter Jesus in ways you never have before. We will explore the spiritual disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. Our pursuit isn’t to become more dutiful and religious, rather to become joy-filled and free people who live a bold life of loving Jesus together!
7 guys, 7 girls, 5 staff for 2 weeks on 1 mission–to encounter Jesus and be changed.
Don’t miss it! Click here to learn more.
CD/MP3 Form Ready for Writers Conference Recipients
May 30th, 2011 by Rachel Williams
May 30th, 2011 by Rachel Williams
If you were at the Writers Conference this year and want to order CD’s or MP3′s of the workshops and general Sessions, the form is now posted on the first page of the Writers Conference website in the right hand upper corner. Have at it.
Have been thinking about 2012 Writers and want to encourage you to start saving right now, and working on your writer friends to come with you this coming year. Liz Curtis Higgs will be our Keynote speaker. You’ll love her. She is funny, a great speaker, personable and approachable, and has a heart for God that won’t quit. Faculty and workshops, tracks, have not be decided as of this date, but it will be good, as always, so we’ll look for you next year, March 30-April 3, 2012.
In the meantime, have a great summer. Make sure you come looking for information around November 1 for full info on Writers Conference. See you then.
