May 8th, 2020
Camp Covid-19 Update:
Greetings Fellow Camp Supporters and Ministry Friends:
In this time of turmoil, we want to put first things first. So, please know that the Beartooth Mountain Christian Ministries (Beartooth Christian Camp and Arrowhead Bible College) greatly appreciate you and your generosity to our ministry.
Current Situation:
In January of this year, Les Walton the Executive Director was fully gearing up for what he anticipated would be largest attended summer camping season in many years. How quickly things can go south. After two meetings last week, Stillwater County Health Officials notified Beartooth Mountain Christian Ministries they will not be able to host summer camps larger than 10 people (including staff and volunteers). After lengthy meetings and discussions with the Camp Board Management and Conference Superintendent, the full Camp Board met this last Tuesday night and voted to shutter the camp, permanently laying off all employees on May 15. This is no one's fault, simply a byproduct of Covid-19. This extremely painful and heart-wrenching decision did not come lightly. With no income coming in and no possibility of salvaging the summer camp season, this was the only possible way to save camp. The Board's intention is to re-start the camp for the 2021 summer season under new leadership. There will be no Arrowhead Bible College for at least this coming year. All who pre-registered for camp and ABC will be given the option to donate these funds, or receive a full refund. In the interim, beginning May 16, the board will be utilizing a camp caretaker with a volunteer financial advisor and volunteer administrator. Superintendent Jay Forseth will serve for three months in the administrator role. Your fervent prayers are urgently solicited. Many of the staff have been there many years, having raised their own financial support and having supplied their own housing. Our hearts grieve with all involved. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, God is in control. Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together!
History:
Since Jesus Christ Himself authorized the formation of the Church, which is His body, and since believers coming together in a given locality constitutes the local Church, the Western Conference of the Evangelical Church pastors and congregations knew that one of the most effective ways to help people know Christ and help them grow in their Walk with Him was time away from their daily routines. Our philosophy is that an outdoor setting naturally leads people to the consideration of the Creator. With determination to have a strong impact on students lives, the Conference purchased a 180 acre cattle ranch in 1976 in the Beartooth Mountains outside of Fishtail, Montana with the goal of reaching people beyond the walls of the traditional church. Forging ahead, that same year, Beartooth Mountain Christian Ministries (consisting of the Beartooth Christian Camp (BCC) and Arrowhead Bible College (ABC) hosted it’s very first youth retreat. Originally, the focus was to serve Evangelical congregations through a youth summer camping program.
The focus now is much broader, and reflective of our mission statement, which is to partner with the church by providing innovative programs in a wilderness setting. Due to this broader vision, BCC partners with numerous denominations and community nonprofits, recognizing this provides service to the greatest number of people. In addition to the summer camping season, we have numerous year-round guest groups make use of our campus, as well as housing Arrowhead Bible College. The guest groups which make use of our campus and programming are very diverse, and reflect the broad interests and needs of our regional community: 4-H, American Diabetes Association youth camps, Volunteers of America youth camps, Colleges, Montana public schools, private schools, corporate events, regional churches, para-church ministries, family reunions, and sports enthusiasts. During 2016, Beartooth Christian Camp marked its 40th anniversary of serving people. From its humble beginnings, BCC now has 20 campus facility buildings, hosts diverse camping programs and served 2410 people during the 40th anniversary year.
Beartooth Christian Camp has a majestic feel and look through every season of the year. Even the camp Articles of Incorporation (III) declare our purpose as “promoting the Christian religion through the preaching of the Word of God, the conduct of worship, the edification of believers, and the evangelization of the world; spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, promoting biblical holiness and worshipping God and practicing Christian virtues inculcated in the Hold Bible”.
Beartooth Mountain Christian Ministries (BMCM) exists to provide a first-rate outdoor adventure geared toward Transforming Everyday Lives into Eternal Stories. At BMCM, campers and students experience faith formation through intentional times of Bible study and worship infused with their daily routines “So all may know and grow in Christ”. To achieve our MISSION, we desire that everyone who spends time on our campus will be transformed spiritually physically, mentally, and emotionally.
To fulfill the Mission of BMCM into the future, the Camp Board made the painful decision to shutter camp for the 2020 season. Your prayer support and financial generosity is even more important at this crucial point in time. The Board will start the process of the “2021 Reboot” late this fall with the expectation of God answering our prayers for reaching many more souls for Jesus in the future.
If anyone desires more information, feel free to contact a Camp Board member or Jay Forseth at 406-321-1026 (cell).
Camp Covid-19 Update:
Greetings Fellow Camp Supporters and Ministry Friends:
In this time of turmoil, we want to put first things first. So, please know that the Beartooth Mountain Christian Ministries (Beartooth Christian Camp and Arrowhead Bible College) greatly appreciate you and your generosity to our ministry.
Current Situation:
In January of this year, Les Walton the Executive Director was fully gearing up for what he anticipated would be largest attended summer camping season in many years. How quickly things can go south. After two meetings last week, Stillwater County Health Officials notified Beartooth Mountain Christian Ministries they will not be able to host summer camps larger than 10 people (including staff and volunteers). After lengthy meetings and discussions with the Camp Board Management and Conference Superintendent, the full Camp Board met this last Tuesday night and voted to shutter the camp, permanently laying off all employees on May 15. This is no one's fault, simply a byproduct of Covid-19. This extremely painful and heart-wrenching decision did not come lightly. With no income coming in and no possibility of salvaging the summer camp season, this was the only possible way to save camp. The Board's intention is to re-start the camp for the 2021 summer season under new leadership. There will be no Arrowhead Bible College for at least this coming year. All who pre-registered for camp and ABC will be given the option to donate these funds, or receive a full refund. In the interim, beginning May 16, the board will be utilizing a camp caretaker with a volunteer financial advisor and volunteer administrator. Superintendent Jay Forseth will serve for three months in the administrator role. Your fervent prayers are urgently solicited. Many of the staff have been there many years, having raised their own financial support and having supplied their own housing. Our hearts grieve with all involved. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, God is in control. Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together!
History:
Since Jesus Christ Himself authorized the formation of the Church, which is His body, and since believers coming together in a given locality constitutes the local Church, the Western Conference of the Evangelical Church pastors and congregations knew that one of the most effective ways to help people know Christ and help them grow in their Walk with Him was time away from their daily routines. Our philosophy is that an outdoor setting naturally leads people to the consideration of the Creator. With determination to have a strong impact on students lives, the Conference purchased a 180 acre cattle ranch in 1976 in the Beartooth Mountains outside of Fishtail, Montana with the goal of reaching people beyond the walls of the traditional church. Forging ahead, that same year, Beartooth Mountain Christian Ministries (consisting of the Beartooth Christian Camp (BCC) and Arrowhead Bible College (ABC) hosted it’s very first youth retreat. Originally, the focus was to serve Evangelical congregations through a youth summer camping program.
The focus now is much broader, and reflective of our mission statement, which is to partner with the church by providing innovative programs in a wilderness setting. Due to this broader vision, BCC partners with numerous denominations and community nonprofits, recognizing this provides service to the greatest number of people. In addition to the summer camping season, we have numerous year-round guest groups make use of our campus, as well as housing Arrowhead Bible College. The guest groups which make use of our campus and programming are very diverse, and reflect the broad interests and needs of our regional community: 4-H, American Diabetes Association youth camps, Volunteers of America youth camps, Colleges, Montana public schools, private schools, corporate events, regional churches, para-church ministries, family reunions, and sports enthusiasts. During 2016, Beartooth Christian Camp marked its 40th anniversary of serving people. From its humble beginnings, BCC now has 20 campus facility buildings, hosts diverse camping programs and served 2410 people during the 40th anniversary year.
Beartooth Christian Camp has a majestic feel and look through every season of the year. Even the camp Articles of Incorporation (III) declare our purpose as “promoting the Christian religion through the preaching of the Word of God, the conduct of worship, the edification of believers, and the evangelization of the world; spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, promoting biblical holiness and worshipping God and practicing Christian virtues inculcated in the Hold Bible”.
Beartooth Mountain Christian Ministries (BMCM) exists to provide a first-rate outdoor adventure geared toward Transforming Everyday Lives into Eternal Stories. At BMCM, campers and students experience faith formation through intentional times of Bible study and worship infused with their daily routines “So all may know and grow in Christ”. To achieve our MISSION, we desire that everyone who spends time on our campus will be transformed spiritually physically, mentally, and emotionally.
To fulfill the Mission of BMCM into the future, the Camp Board made the painful decision to shutter camp for the 2020 season. Your prayer support and financial generosity is even more important at this crucial point in time. The Board will start the process of the “2021 Reboot” late this fall with the expectation of God answering our prayers for reaching many more souls for Jesus in the future.
If anyone desires more information, feel free to contact a Camp Board member or Jay Forseth at 406-321-1026 (cell).
