“But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop: 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.” Mark 4:20
We sometimes jokingly refer to Dave Wilson and his reference of Highland Lakes being “Holy Ground.” But realistically…he was and is spot on.
This is Holy Ground…the Spirit of the Lord is here. We tell every camp that comes onto Highland Lakes that every building, every bed, every table, every meal, every activity has been prayed over before they even get here. We do prayer walks; we pray as a staff; we pray individually. We have wonderful volunteers who work here who pray constantly for the campground; we have churches who commit to praying for us for months at a time.
Highland Lakes is God’s “good ground.”
It is the place where students come to hear, maybe for the first time, the good news of the gospel of Christ. It is where barriers are broken, walls are torn down, broken hearts are made new, hearts of stone are made into hearts of flesh. It’s where friendships, relationships, bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood are formed and fitted.
It’s where Summer Missionaries come to give back…and to receive more than they give. It’s where leadership is developed by learning to be a servant; of learning that it is not about us but about Him. It’s where teamwork is understood as doing “my part of our job.”
It’s where pastors and church leaders come to rest and recharge, to find fresh the presence and the purpose of a Christ focused life.
It’s where your investment of time, talent, and finances reap a harvest that cannot be overstated, but far too often is underestimated. The crop that is produced is easily 30, 60 and 100 times what is invested.
The staff and I are blessed beyond belief to see what is harvested, but also to see how the seed is taken and grown time and time again.
Highland Lakes – we serve as the “good ground” to help others Discover, Develop, and Deploy a Transformed Life in Christ.
Jim Shields
Team Leader, Highland Lakes