Pray First Updates

“As your days, so shall your strength be.” — Deuteronomy 33:25

As we enter November, we have so much to thank the Lord for at Camp Maranatha! Looking back over the past several weeks, we see His faithfulness in the lives of our guests, the dedication of our volunteers, and the many ways He continues to provide for this ministry.

At our recent Forge: Men’s Retreat, we reflected on a full year of ministry and leadership changes at Maranatha. One year ago, many of these same men had gathered to pray over the ministry and the men called to serve in their new roles.  Looking back, we can see how God has sustained the ministry through new friendships, growing attendance, dedicated staff and volunteers, and provision for needs both large and small.

In Exodus 16, God provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness, giving them what they needed for each day. He did not promise a journey without hardship, but He demonstrated His faithfulness by providing for His people along the way. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6 not to be anxious about tomorrow. We are called to be faithful with what God has entrusted to us today, trusting Him with what we cannot yet see.

That lesson continues to shape our ministry. We still have important projects to complete, facilities to maintain, and resources to steward wisely. Yet we can look back with gratitude, serve faithfully in the present, and face the future with confidence in our faithful God. At Forge, Pastor Micah Smith encouraged us to ask God to show us which wall He is calling us to build, following the example of Nehemiah. We don’t have to do everything; we need to seek the Lord, discern the work He has placed before us, and faithfully begin building.

Here at Camp, we are looking ahead to the coming months with excitement about what the Lord may have in store for Maranatha.

Our theme for 2027 will be “Fruitful,” and we’re already looking forward to seeing how God will continue to grow the ministry and bear fruit through the lives touched here. Next year also marks a special milestone in Maranatha’s history, and we’re quietly working on something special for the spring. If Camp Maranatha has ever been part of your story—whether as a camper, staff member, volunteer, retreat guest, or ministry partner—we would love to hear from you! God has been at work here for generations, and we know there are many stories of His faithfulness still waiting to be shared.

PRAISES:

• Family Fair: What a blessing to welcome more than 200 people to Camp Maranatha for our annual Family Fair! Guests enjoyed cider pressing, hayrides, Bob and Marla’s puppet show, henna, lumber milling demonstrations, food, music, and much more. We are grateful for everyone who volunteered their time and talents to make the day possible. It was a wonderful opportunity to welcome families, build relationships, and share the joy of our camp community.

• Young adults serving at camp: We were especially grateful to welcome young adults from a local church who came out to help prepare the campus for the Family Fair. Their willingness to serve was a tremendous help, and we thank God for the opportunity to work alongside the next generation.

• Forge: Men’s Retreat: We praise God for the men who took time away from their busy lives to fellowship, encourage one another, and grow in Christ. We are particularly thankful for those who prayed for Camp Maranatha a year ago and continue to stand with us in prayer today.

• A remarkable provision: We are deeply grateful for the generous donation of a generator powerful enough to sustain the Lodge. This significant gift will help us better prepare for power outages and care for the guests and groups God brings to camp.

• Faithful provision for the ministry: We thank the Lord for our staff, volunteers, ministry partners, and donors whose generosity and service help keep Maranatha moving forward.

PRAY WITH US:

• Serving Saturday — November 14: Pray for a strong turnout of volunteers ready to help with fall cleanup and projects around the property as we prepare the campus for winter. Ask God to provide willing hands, good weather, safety in every task, and encouragement for everyone who comes to serve.

• Wisdom for leadership: Pray for our staff and Board of Directors as we continue to steward the ministry, make decisions, and plan for the future. Ask God to help us remain faithful with today’s responsibilities while trusting Him with tomorrow.

• Facilities and capital projects: Pray for the resources, skilled workers, and financial provision needed to address ongoing maintenance and capital improvements across the property.

• Spiritual fruit: Pray that every family, retreat group, church, volunteer, and guest who comes through our gates would encounter the truth of God’s Word and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Our ministry partners: Pray for those who faithfully support Maranatha through prayer, giving, and service. May the Lord strengthen and encourage them in their own walks with Him.

As we look toward the end of the year, we are reminded that God’s faithfulness is not measured by the absence of challenges, but by His steadfast presence and provision through them. We cannot know everything the next season will hold, but we know the One who holds it.
Thank you for praying with us, serving alongside us, and helping make Camp Maranatha a place where lives are strengthened and Christ is proclaimed. May we continue to be faithful with what God has given us today, trusting Him for tomorrow.