Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

At Forest Home, we believe it’s critical to understand the past if we are to effectively reach

people for Christ in the present. As new staff join our team, they go through Heritage

Training. This is an important part of their training regardless of their role. They learn

about our founder, Dr. Henrietta Mears, our philosophy of ministry, our core values and

how they can be most fruitful in honoring and blessing our campers and guests.

A key aspect of this is understanding the power, impact and value of the camp experience.

The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:17:

“Joinwithothersinfollowingmyexample,brothers,andtakenoteof

thosewholiveaccordingtothepatternwegaveyou.”

This was a very gutsy challenge by Paul for people to keep an eye on him! And yet, this is

exactly what happens during a camp experience! As I often share with our staff, “When

you put on your Forest Home nametag, people expect certain things of you. They expect

Christ-like behavior. They expect you to live out the Word of God.”

This is no small feat! But, because we believe in order to live out the Word of God you must

“walk the talk”, the message of hope and good news that is only found in Jesus Christ is

that much more real. In a world of such inconsistencies and mixed messages, it is re-

freshing and hopeful to have an experience where the Message is lived out in such a vivid

and tangible way.

We are so grateful for how you come alongside and “walk your talk,” through your involve-

ment with us. Your encouragement through your actions inspires us as we live out Jesus

before more than 56,000 people each year. We can not do it without you!

Blessings,

Stan WhitePresident

table of contents

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

LOVING OUT LOUD

YES I CAN

FROM DAY ONE

LIVING FAITH

FAMILIES SERVING TOGETHER

GIFTS OF HONOR

THE GREATEST GIFT GIVER

UPCOMING EVENTS

2

3

7

9

11

15

17

19

22

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Loving Out Loud

by: Dick Bouslough

What captures your heart and inspires your imagination?

What stirs your blood and gets the adrenaline pumping

to lend aid in a troubled world? Is it sad-eyed children, or

droopy eared puppy dogs or does your heart respond to

stories that ring true with living out the message of Jesus

Christ in response to his presence in your life?

Each season of every year, hundreds, even thousands of real life Forest Home stories get told

at campfires and in cabin times, at Victory Circle and under some very blessed trees around

the grounds, some even make it to the pulpit, stories of men and women, boys and girls who

have responded to the quiet voice of God whispering to their hearts, “Come.” Together these

make up uncountable stories over almost 75 years of His grace and mercy extended through

His love for His children at Forest Home.

Even with all these inspiring

“mountain top experience” stories,

more valuable still are the ones that

tell what God continues to do in

lives of those in the valleys below

after they have been touched by his

Spirit. Billy Graham had to preach

the Bible in Los Angeles and then on

to the world beyond to verify his life

changing experience on the moun-

tain. Bill Bright had to lead a first

college chapter meeting of Campus

Crusade for Christ to authenticate

God’s call on his life at Forest Home. Dr. Hen-

rietta Mears, the founder of Forest Home, had

to rally the spirit-led forces of Hollywood in

1938 before the vision of Truman Reaves, of-

fered in a prayer of dedication in 1876, could be

realized in this canyon through a place called

Forest Home Christian Conference Center.

Mountain top stories receive validation in the

valley below. Jesus’ message doesn’t become

mission until we put our hands to the plow.

Let me offer one such story.

Forest Home staff are not any more deserving

of God’s focus and attention than anyone else.

We struggle with balancing budgets and get-

ting our cars repaired and putting food on the

table. There are leaks to fix and utilities to pay.

Occasionally a water heater breaks or our chil-

dren get sick. Still, serving the risen Christ in

response to His call on our lives constrains us

to respond as we’re able.

Evan Talen, a Forest Home staff member,

knew a good thing when he saw it. While

serving in his adopted home church in the

San Bernardino valley, a small group of

young adults, guys and gals, began delivering

groceries to under-resourced families in the

valley, meeting parents and children who had

needs beyond simple food.

Three teenaged girls had lost their mom

months before, step-dad was not healthy and

their biological dad was also in poor health,.

Did Evan know any women who might fit in

with teen girls and undertake being a big sis-

ter and mentor? The safe answer: maybe.

Restoration Covenant Church of Redlands

was Evan’s connection with Khrysteal, Sasha

and Simone. Now to find a mentor among

his female contacts, one who could relate to

teen girls, maintain the energy and “dudette”

come alongside these girls and provide

5|

guidance in their everyday lives, spiritual and

practical. Ah… Carly.

Our own beloved Carly Jones began mentor-

ing these motherless teenaged sisters two

years ago, bringing a consistent Christian

adult female influence into their lives. They

now refer to her as their big sister and Carly’s

love for them in return has made them family.

Through the blessing of donors providing

campership funds, Carly was able to bring

these young women to Family Camp this past

summer yielding more mountain top experi-

ences to be lived out in the valley. It doesn’t

stop there, however, as Khrysteal, Sasha and

Simone have been “adopted” by many on the

Forest Home staff who pray for them, support

them and just this Christmas past, blessed

them with gifts to bring honor to the babe of

Bethlehem.

It’s called “Living out the Word of God,” be-

cause Jesus is the Master and we desire, like

Carly, to make His message our mission.

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was

lonely and you gave me companionship, I was

unloved and you gave me your life in love.”

YES I CANBY: TARA ANDERSEN

|47|

Have you ever sat back and said to yourself, “I want to make a differ-ence but what do I have to offer?” The answer… EVERYTHING!

So often, we view ministry in three parts

- those who go, those who send and those

who pray. But, what if you can do them all?

In Matthew 28:16-20 Jesus speaks the

Great Commission to his disciples and

tells them to go and make disciples of all

nations. He further empowers them to

baptize in the name of the Father, Son and

Holy Spirit instructing them to teach oth-

ers to obey everything he has taught them.

This is what God has called each of us to.

Not just those on the front lines of minis-

try at Forest Home, but around the world.

This does not mean you have to be called

into full-time, paid ministry. We are all

called to carry out his work in our every-

day lives.

You are invited it contribute to what God is

doing through Forest Home. Join us in the

Great Commission, where together we can

have an impact on the world for eternity.

Will you raise your hand? Will you say,

“I can do that?”

Volunteering

Bring your family or a friend and be part

of preparing and repairing Forest Home.

For volunteering opportunities at Mill

Creek, contact Ken at kenm@

foresthome.org, and for Ojai Valley,

contact Charlie at charlied@foresthome.

org. Come and join us!

01 DESCRIPTION

Sharing Your Story

Share what God has done in your life

through this ministry with others and with

us. Go to www.foresthome.org/share.php

to share your story today.

02 DESCRIPTION

03 DESCRIPTION

Prayer

Enter into a prayer partnership with

Forest Home. Prayer is one of the most

powerful tools we have. If you have a

prayer request, please send it to us at

info@foresthome.org and we will commit

to praying for you. We also covet your

prayers for us. You can receive monthly

emails with our prayer calendar by

contacting Barb at barbc@foresthome.org.

04 DESCRIPTION

Camperships

What better gift can you give than the gift

of camp? Consider giving to our Camper-

ship Fund and providing an opportunity

for someone to experience the transfor-

mation that happens here. You can give

online at www.foresthome.org.

06 DESCRIPTION

Promoting Forest Home

The best references are from those

you trust. Tell your friends about your

Forest Home experience. If you want

promotional materials to share with

your friends and church family, we are

happy to send them. Contact Carly in

Marketing at 909.389.3470 or email

carlyj@foresthome.org.

05Support Ongoing Ministry

We rely on generosity of people like you

to sustain the ongoing ministry through

Forest Home. Would you consider joining

this faithful group by becoming a monthly

donor? Contact Barb Carney in our

Advancement office at 909.389.4370 to

sign up.

DESCRIPTION

YouropportunitiestojoinGod’sworkthroughForestHome:

had the privilege of living out the Word of God,” explains Faith. “It was my job.”

At Forest Home, Faith encountered La Cañada Presbyterian Church where she now works as the High School Director. When asked how working at camp impacts her ministry today, she replied, “It was the most academic time in my life, shap-ing my approach to ministry and what I do with the students. Before Forest Home, I was concerned about numbers. Now, I’m concerned with the students’ hearts and attending to their brokenness.”

The youth of La Cañada Presbyterian Church are active in their local communi-ty. They participate in small groups lead by trained mentors. They minister to the homeless in Guatemala and orphans in Kenya. Faith’s goal is to mentor these stu-dents by walking alongside them in a way that emulates God’s personal relationship with each of us – to show them what a personal relationship with Him looks like and to watch them live out God’s Word.

fromDAY ONE by: Carly Jones

|109|

FAITH GRIENER grew up coming to Forest Home. She met Jesus at Indian Village and dreamt of the day she could work on Summer Staff. “From the time I set foot on Forest Home grounds as a camper, I felt pulled toward ministry,” explains Faith.

And ministry she did. She worked a half summer at Forest Home and then in church ministry throughout college. After college and three years at a church in San Diego, she was completely exhausted. She had nothing left to give, so she packed up her car and headed to Arizona where she would live with her sister and regroup.

God had different plans for her. “About half way there I knew I was not supposed to go, but I couldn’t explain it,” says Faith. “So I turned around and drove straight to For-est Home to a friend, who I knew would pray with me.”

Not long after she arrived at Forest Home, Faith under-stood. The weekend was High School Winter Camp. She fell in love with High School ministry all over again. She want-ed to be a High School Dean. Over the weekend she talked with Angie Horn-Andreu, the High School Director at that

time, who hired her onto the 2004 summer team – the first of five summers on staff. “Every morning I woke up and

MIKE ERREBY: CARLY JONES

|1211|

faith. It is often said that a person has faith. Yes, in the dictionary faith is classified as a noun so it is something you can possess. Yet there is more to faith than simply having it… right?

What good is having faith if action does not follow? If you have faith that you can fly but never spread your wings and try to, is your faith valid? If you have faith that you can run a marathon but never put on your running shoes to even run a mile, what good is your faith?

Having faith in God is not good enough. You must live this faith. Now faith becomes a verb.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people claim to have faith but have no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if

it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17

Meet Mike Erre – a husband, father of three, pastor, author and speaker. Mike is confronted with the reality of living out his faith on a daily basis. He speaks at Forest Home for various events – Summer Family Camp, Staff Retreat and Father & Son Retreat. When he comes to speak, he often brings his family and experiences the impact of camp right alongside the families he speaks to.

“I can’t separate the professional and the personal, we’re always blessed by the people, staff and leadership teams. I benefit every time I’m there,” says Mike while telling of his involvement at Forest Home. “It is a place set apart where God consistently knits us

together as family in Him. It is the highlight of our summer.”

However, Mike’s involvement with Forest Home did not start as a speaker. In 1999, Mike attended College Briefing where his perspective on Jesus, vocational ministry and

the Christian faith totally changed. The speaker, Bart Tarman, spoke on the reality that much of the church

ignores Jesus and his mission was to bring Christians back to Christ. Since that weekend Mike has made it his purpose to love well and be known as someone who loved God, loved people

and taught God’s Word effectively. Since that Labor Day weekend in 1999, Mike married the love of his life, began pastoral ministry and became a father to three beautiful children – Nathaniel (7), Hannah (5) and Seth (2). Three months prior to Seth’s birth, the Erres received information that would alter their lives forever.

The doctor told them their unborn son had Down Syndrome and 92% of parents in this situation choose an abortion. They still chose to bring Seth into the world. Through Seth God has brought joy and blessing to many.

“Seth is the tangible representation of God’s love to our family. In an upside down world, what’s considered not good news has turned to be GREAT news,” explains Mike. “He has taught us to celebrate what others take for

granted – the simple joy of loving and being loved and that is enough. He has confronted us with our thoughts of greatness and normalcy and He has made us antagonistically gracious advocates of every human life being sacred no matter how rich, wealthy or beautiful.”

The Erres have a new ministry, one they never expected nor planned for; they are advocates and sympathetic ears to others on the same journey. They are ministers to the misfits and losers of our perfectionist, success-driven society. They are trying to confront a world that says kids like Seth do not deserve to live or cannot

live “full human lives”.

“Seth is the best course of theology I’ve ever taken. He teaches me all kinds of good stuff,” reveals Mike. “We all know this and can say it but when

you have your dreams for your family interrupted by Jesus, the confrontation of this statement is real.”

Through this journey, Mike’s biggest shift came when he began understanding the Bible not as a series of unconnected events, but as an epic story of what God is doing in this world. “The Bible is a reminder to me, that I am but a speck of dust, the whole story is not

about me,” declares Mike. “There is a throne at the center of the Universe and I am not on it.”

For each of us this is a great reminder of the stark reality of our imperfections and our call to live as Jesus lived. This reality looks different in every family but the message is the same – faith is an action word meant to be lived out, forever drawing us closer to our God.13| |14

After living in Ohio with her family for 15 years and moving back to Southern California, Marti Kresse wanted to continue a tradition her parents started through Willing Workers Weekend at Forest Home Mill Creek Canyon. However, her version would look a bit different.

In Ohio, Marti’s family enjoyed volunteering at a small horse

camp. They got to know the staff, horses and had a blast doing

some incredibly dirty jobs as a family. When they returned to

California, the Kresse children wanted to volunteer at a small

camp again. They wanted to know the staff and enjoy a new

camp, a home away from home.

Even though there were no horses, Upkeepers at Forest Home

Ojai Valley fulfilled this wish. This family volunteer weekend in

late March has become an important annual event for Marti’s

entire family – including her aging parents, her brother and her

sister’s family from Portland.

“Our family is rather close. We enjoy spending time together,”

explains Marti. “And we know the work we’re doing will advance

God’s work because students experience life-change at camp.”

While at Upkeepers, they work hard on various projects, enjoy

rides down the zipline and Marti takes advantage of time away

from everyday life to reflect and be in God’s Word.

Forest Home cannot effectively fulfill the mission set before us without

families like the Kresses volunteering their time, talents and treasures in

helping us prepare camp for our busy seasons. With these partnerships,

Forest Home can continue to partner with the local church to provide life-

impacting experiences for individuals and groups.

Thank you to all who carry out the Great Commission through your

support at Forest Home.

FAMILIES SERVING TOGETHER

BY: CARLY JONES

“It’s really fun to see the staff and many of the same families year after year,” says Marti. “We love Ojai!”

|16

GIFTS IN LIVING HONOR OF:

Heather BrunstMr. and Mrs. Art James

Gary and Cheryl KeeslinMr. and Mrs. Paul CalcagnoMr. and Mrs. Wesley E. Norris

Susan LooMr. and Mrs. Norman Chew

Tom SomersPinnacle EMS

Dorothy WaytMr. and Mrs. Kevin Wayt

GIFTS IN MEMORY OF:

Kyle AleeMr. and Mrs. Roger D. Null

Phyllis BakerDr. and Mrs. Robert L. Borland

Bruce BealsMr. Steven M. Bishop

Elfriede BefeldMr. and Mrs. Gerhard Befeld

Frank and Jeanne BentwoodMr. and Mrs. Richard W. Bentwood

Joy BorbaMs. Linda Bayme

Rosemarie CrossMr. and Mrs. Randolph Cross

Joanne CusterDr. and Mrs. Robert L. Borland

Virginia GalletleyMr. and Mrs. Fred Lopez

L. Dale GreenMrs. Peggy Green

Robert E. GriceMr. and Mrs. Bruce Grice

Jim HallsMr. and Mrs. Arthur E. CurrierMrs. Patricia HallsMr. and Mrs. Derek LewisRev. Paul NeighborsMr. and Mrs. Daryl PoppenMs. Sally L. PriceMr. and Mrs. Rich Welch

Dean HofferthMr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Rost

Elberta JohnsonMrs. Jean LessnerMr. and Mrs. Raymon E. MelizaMr. and Mrs. Terry PhillipsMr. Joel Johnson

Betty KasperDr. and Mrs. Robert L. Borland

Rev. Bruce A. KurrleMrs. Virginia Kurrle

Ted LawsonMr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Rost

Frank and Elizabeth LoggMr. and Mrs. Curt Schulze

Stanley MoeFirst Presbyterian Church of Hollywood

These gifts were made in 2010. To make a memorial or honorary gift for 2011, include the person’s name, whether the gift is an honorary or memorial gift, and the name and address of the person to notify of your gift. You can donate online or make your check payable to Forest Home and mail to: 40,000 Valley of the Falls Drive, Forest Falls, CA 92339.

A TRIBUTE TO ONES

WE LOVE

|1817|

Robert W. RaymondMs. JoAnn Raymond

Mr. Glen A. RiversMrs. Charlotte Y. Rivers

Amelia SetonDr. and Mrs. Robert L. Borland

Margaret SharpMr. and Mrs. Eric Johnson

Muriel SheetsDr. and Mrs. Robert L. Borland

Marie WatersMs. Dorothy N. CarterMs. Margaret ForsythMr. and Mrs. Norman LawsonMs. Louise MayMrs. Angela NieuwsmaMr. and Mrs. Warren StaufferMr. and Mrs. Melvin WardMs. Clara Young

Dorothy WaytMr. and Mrs. Kevin Wayt

GIFTS COLLECTED BY THE FOREST HOME WOMEN’S AUXILARY IN MEMORY OF:

John AndrewsGregg Doherty, Jr.Mary GlaubiusLeona GoffDoris GoodwinBen HarrisWinnie Holm Jil KaczmarekMary LindenbergerVirginia LynchJune MacMillanRose McNallyNorm McQuownEileen MinorPaul NelsonPeggy NelsonGrace StenbergDean ThompsonMarie Waters

giver

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The great football coach Vince Lombardi began every new season with a lecture to both the veterans and the rookies on the basics of football. He literally held up a football and said,

“Gentlemen, this is a football!” For each of us, whether rookie or veteran when studying and living out the Word of God, it can be helpful to revisit the fundamentals of stewardship through the lens of John 3:16. Ladies and Gentlemen… this is stewardship! “For God so

loved the world, that He gave His only begotten S o n ,that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

We often see signs and banners proclaiming “John 3:16” at sporting events or written as graffiti on highway overpasses. After becoming a Christ-follower, Rollen Stewart gained fame by turning up at sporting events wearing a rainbow-colored wig and a sign reading “John 3:16” in his hands. Several Christian-owned businesses are known for using their products to share their faith, including In-N-Out Burger, which has printed “John 3:16” on their cups. Former Florida Gators quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow even wore the

famous verse on his eye black during the 2009 BCS Championship football game.

So, what does John 3:16 have to do with stewardship? Why is this one verse so important? It has been called the “Gospel in a nutshell.” It is about stewardship because it is about the Greatest Giver—God Himself. No other verse in the Bible so succinctly summarizes God’s relationship with humanity and the way of salvation. It’s 25 simple words tell us of the love God has for us and the extravagance of that love—so

greatesttheby: David Carlson

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great that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf. It teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has the glorious hope of eternal life through the love of God given in Jesus Christ. And it’s all a gift!

Simply look at the first two words, “For God…”—God made a decision to generously give the very best He has. Consider the power of His decision that through His love for us, He continues to give to us and through us for all eternity. It’s like a pebble thrown into the lake, causing ripples to unfold. These ripples of stewardship carry through countless stories of faithful Forest Home ministry partners whose decisions have made possible more than we could have ever done alone. Their choices to live out the Gospel in this way – and so many others – fill our hearts with gratitude for the opportunity

to share the love of God in Jesus Christ for generations to come. Consider the power of one decision! What a joy it will be to see for all eternity the fruit of God’s generosity expressed through your hearts of love!

As you consider stewardship, begin with the fundamentals. Next time you see “John 3:16” on a sign or read the verse in your Bible, consider the ripple effect of your part in His-story. Decide to show God’s love to others through giving your time, talents and treasures to make known eternal life in Jesus Christ. Thank you for partnering with Forest Home and the Forest Home Foundation to make this possible today and for generations to come.

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