Who | are we outside CFO?

WHEREVER THE ROAD LEADS

CFO gave me my start as a writer.  It was during creative writing that I realized I had a gift for putting words together in a creative way that told a story others could enjoy - poetry was my first try way back then.  From there I began to write short stories about life in a parable fashion. That birthed true stories about my parenting faux pas, which became a weekly column in our local paper and the beginning of a book on those tales called Going 69 in a 65.  From there I began writing a book on putting your life and your marriage back together after infidelity.  I presently have a contract with a publishing company for that book, and they said it would be available on Amazon with the year.  That same publisher is going to publish my Little Lost Lamborgimme Children’s book as well.  Additionally, I've been working off and on with local youth for the last 24 years.  Lately, I’ve speaking for women's groups and I’m scheduled to start in on seminars that outline the steps in the marriage book I wrote.  What a blessing CFO has been in my life, not only to help me love others unconditionally but to discover hidden talents as well.  

Donna Kennedy

ATHLETE of the SPIRIT...IN ACTION!

Hi, I'm Brittany Cooper.  I've been teaching high school English in rural Banner County for the past three years.  I enjoy the challenge and outreach that are so opportune as I work with junior high and high school students.  I get chances to interact with them as I coach basketball and other sports as well as help lead worship for my local church's youth group.  In the summers, I love the adventure of seeking and serving God in CFO's and with other Christian ministries around the country (and occasionally the world - Peru and Kenya most recently).  I love the CFO camp experience of fellowship with our Father and brothers and sisters, and I've been blessed to get to lead youth and rhythms at times.  I'm awfully thankful for the family I've gained everywhere I've encountered other Christians!

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

This past summer I went to Ireland with a group called Global Expeditions for a mission trip, and it was probably the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.  I had the chance to talk to some people about what it means to be saved and how you can get saved. We were stationed in Drumcree for 2 weeks and led vacation bible school.  Many kids showed up and had a blast and I also had a blast!  After Drumcree, we went to a place called New Castle for a week, and I felt God telling me to tell the group that amazing things were going to be happening there - the first day 14 people got saved and the final day over 40 people got saved! 

I’m currently a student at Chadron State College, majoring in criminal justice, and a lot of my time is devoted to studying and school.  My walk with Christ has grown quite a bit in the past year.  I’m currently stuck on studying Ezekiel, which is not the easiest book to read since it’s all on prophetic things.  J  At Chadron State College, I’m involved with Chi Alpha, a Christian group that has become like family to me.  I love to drum - it’s one of the things I can say I’m really pretty good at – and I enjoy playing for the Chi Alpha worship team…and my youth group worship band back in Gordon, NE.

God has blessed me with an amazing girlfriend, and God remains the number one priority in both of our lives.  Our relationships with Christ have grown exponentially through our relationship with each other.  I try to do my daily readings and prayers, but I always look forward to going to CFO summer camp because of the family I have there and the fact that the CFO week is amazing and gets me fired up for the rest of the year.

Love to all,
Jesse Young

SEEING HIM

One way I serve Christ is by working in a nursing home.  I serve the residents meals and try my best to do this with love and compassion for each person.  In so doing, I have the opportunity to get to know many elderly people and show them the love of God.  I have learned through my job that these elderly are special to God and deserve to see that through the way I interact with them.

On a more moment to moment basis, I serve Christ by loving people.  I am intentional about taking time each day to pray for people that need to know God's love.  I believe God is showing me more each day that He wants me to show His love to the people around me.  God is teaching me that even a small act of kindness towards a person can change their day in a really positive way.  I believe God has placed a love in my heart for people I would not otherwise love.  I see a lot of pain and brokenness around me and my heart hurts with people.  I get to bring those people to God in prayer.  I deeply desire for everybody to know that Jesus loves them just as they are.

Amanda Harris

RHYTHM of GRACE

Hi, my name is Elizabeth Cochrane, and I've been attending Black Hills CFO camp since 2004. When I'm not at camp, I work as a music therapist, using music in all its forms (singing, playing instruments, writing music, and discussing lyrics) to improve the quality of life of many senior citizens, hospice patients, and at-risk children in Kansas.  Although I can't proselytize in my job, I do embrace moments to share God's light and the love that He provides....I even got to do that today in a situation I faced with a hospice patient.  She was feeling sad, grasped my hand, and requested that we pray together after singing her favorite hymns.

I look forward to camp all year round because there really is no other place in my life as uniquely Spirit-led as Camps Farthest Out.  I've had the opportunity to embrace leadership roles within CFO, such as co-leading youth with my husband, Nathan, leading worship at a retreat, and co-leading creative music.  I love the encouragement I get at CFO, not only to step out of my comfort zone by leading, but also by stepping into the comfort zone of God's amazing love.

KEEP ON KEEPING ON

We have attended CFO in South Dakota since 1976.  The CFO camping experience has prepared us to take Christ into the world in various areas.  We have ministered in the US, Canada, and Australia at a variety of CFO camps.  Now semi-retired and living in an Assisted Living facility, we have discovered that there are many opportunities to be a witness of the love of God and accept others.  It is important for us to see the face of Jesus Christ in our neighbors.

We lead a weekly prayer group during which we pray for the needs of our communities as well as the needs of family and the greater prayer needs which come to us through the CFO United Prayer Tower Newsletter.  We pray for the people next door and the people around the world.  Our needs are different, but the need for Jesus Christ, who meets those needs, is the same. We are both in 12 step groups which stress the importance of having a power greater than ourselves which we believe is God.  We sponsor other people and have seen many people accept God as their Savior and have a spiritual awakening in their once troubled lives.

The CFO experience has also enhanced our worship within our church.  We have seen many lax Christians come back to their original love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Our work in programs such as RCIA, CCD, and the Legion of Mary have provided us with many opportunities to share with others about our journey through life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Since attending our first CFO camp we have known that we may be the only example of the love of Christ a person will ever encounter, and we know it is our responsibility to witness to them as God equips us to do each day.  We believe the best witness is being silent and showing Jesus’ love and gentleness to all persons we meet through our actions.

Love to all!

Doug and Joy Bolin

To BE Rather than to DO ONLY

Last Sunday our church sermon was about having Christ within and therefore bringing HIS presence wherever we go...not about "doing" but about being.  It makes a lot of sense...so when I go after the mail or to visit folks in the local nursing home or down the block, I am bringing Christ's Presence to those places.  We do bring His presence wherever we go - one hears the burden and brings that situation to Christ; one sees a look or harried person and speaks peace.  I spend time sending non-structured e-mails as a way to communicate Christ’s love and Caring Bridge a source of prayer.

In a more traditional sense, Wednesday evenings  a group of ladies come to my home for  prayer and Bible study.  We have been meeting for 13 years.  More recently a small group of ladies come to my house each week to pray.  I also receive prayer needs through two local prayer chains.  I also meet with Sharon Witt, a Black Hills CFO friend, once a week for prayer.  Although I am active in my small church as a lay reader and lector, I find that the outward "doing" is not the real ministry.  It is the personal relationships with the people, discovering their worlds and needs.  It’s about just being aware of God in the small world where He places me.  The best part of any day is time spent with the Lord in Scripture, learning to listen to Him.  God is faithful in the simple things and makes them big!

Luella Sedivy

Bearing the Cross with RED CROSS

I am fairly new to the CFO world and after only going a few times, I can honestly say that it has helped further my faith in God and the work that He has in store for me.  I have also made some absolutely amazing friends through CFO who encourage me daily, just by being.  

I have been working with the American Red Cross for over two years now and I can see the grace of God working every day in the most stressful situations.  In times of disaster the true character of people have a way of coming out, whether it be strong take action types, or break down hopeless types.  No matter who they turn out to be I’ve realized that my presence, just being there speaking with them and hearing their story helps more than I will ever know.  Because the Red Cross upholds Neutrality and Impartiality we cannot openly minster to people we are trying to help, but there have been several times when a person will ask me to just sit and pray with them (which makes my heart sing with joy)!  I have witnessed the effect of a few words of prayer: a woman almost catatonic due to the loss of her home, praying with her husband over her and her being able to snap back into this world and realize that God has a plan and it will be OK.  Other times I pray for the people silently hoping the Lord encourages them and that they can make it through their situation and turn it into something that will make them stronger.  

I also enjoy being part of my church and helping out whenever I can, by welcoming parishioners when they come into the church or helping with the children's services.  One thing that CFO taught me in particular, is that you can live out your commitment to God in everything that you do, even if you have restrictions in particular situations.  There is always a way to show His love and grace through your actions.

Kathrine Vigil

EVERY DAY AN ADVENTURE

Chris Cooper has been motivating people who have never heard of Camps Farthest Out to pursue God's highest and best for their lives. He has....

Jesus Christ, My ROCK

Jenny Franklin Steele has been motivating people who have never heard of Camps Farthest Out to pursue God's highest and best for their lives. She has....

PURSUIT of GOD

I am currently a veterinarian student in Tennessee.  In the past few years, I have grown exponentially in my faith and it has guided me in my decision to pursue veterinarian medicine as well as getting involved in veterinarian missions.  I have also been blessed with the opportunity to lead prayer before each test and I'm also the co-president of Christian Veterinarian Fellowship, a local chapter of Christian Veterinarian Missions.  Though I am not yet able to go out and do full time mission work because of school, God has enabled me to make these differences at school as I prepare for something even larger.

CFO has given me the boost I need to be bold in my faith and step out in every aspect of my life.  Before going to CFO, I was just a follower, unsure of my role in the Christian world.  I have done a lot of growing up since then and God has really shown me His glory in the everyday workings of my life.  CFO has also provided me with a community of believers who have supported me through every struggle and celebrated with me through every triumph.  I believe that is the true essence of CFO and what God intended when he made us a relational people. 

Amanda Griffith

EXPECTANT HOPE

Hi, I’m Robin Smalt and I have been a CFOer for over 25 years.  The thing I love most about Camps Farthest Out is that it teaches me to live in God’s Kingdom here on earth.  CFO has taught me to use all of who God created me to be—mind, body and spirit—to worship Him.  In between camps I lead a CFO small group.  We meet each week to experiment with prayer, worship through song and dance, and fellowship.  This group has brought us all closer to each other and to God.
My day job is as a public school teacher in inner city Nashville.  I’ve learned a lot about my own sinfulness from working in such a tough environment, but I have also experienced the incredible grace of God whose love is much bigger than my mistakes.  In the future, I hope to open a CFO school where students are free to integrate all of who they are in the pursuit of education.  I would love to create space for learning to be conducted as an act of worship.