The Ministry Apprentice Program is a specialized college level leadership training program focused on preparing individuals for effective leadership and discipleship roles. This distinctive program under the umbrella of MMRM encompasses structured classroom teaching, specialized skill training, a management/ leadership practicum, horsemanship, choretimes and a variety of seminars and supportive work experiences.
Patty processes the applications and interviews prospective students, tracts grades, produces transcripts, and handles all aspects of Graduation and Orientation weekends. She is involved with counseling, mentoring, and discipling apprentices.
Patty has traveled to Africa and South Korea, speaking to women’s groups and Home School Conferences world-wide. She is also a Senior Editor for Homeschool Friends. She works with South Korean students on-line who are learning English as a second language. She holds a Master’s Degree in Christian Education. Patty speaks to local, state, national and international groups.
Patty's Newsletter Summer 2010
It’s Hot, it’s really Hot, it’s really, really hot!
Wagons creak as wheels turn and carry their precious loads to bunk houses each Sunday afternoon as new ranchers arrive. Summer camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch always brings sounds to me that raise my “joy level” even though the temperature gage nears 100. “It’s hot, it’s really hot!” ranchers call out through the day. Giggles and muffled whispers come from bunkhouses after “lights out,” along with the sound of fans on high speed. “Wow, he’s really cool,” resound ranchers as they refer to Bosco, Matt Cox’s long horn steer, that he uses for under saddle sermons. Screams and bodies kerplunk under water as ranchers compete for the best cannonball of the day at the swimming pool. Ice cream dripping off hands vie with the loud licking and smacking of lips– good to the last drip! Meal lines are robust with hearty cries for “More food, I’m almost out!” Hushed tones of reverence are heard from praying people at any turn or corner you round, “Jesus be my Saviour,” or “Lord, I just can’t go on, I’m too tired-help me.” At the piano staff or ranchers may be around practicing melodious numbers for chapel. At the end of the week the last quiet rays of sunset are exchanged for the crackling luminous fire at Lariat Lake for testimony time. This is summer camp– our camping ministry. Thank you, Lord! Blessed to be here!
As Dean of Women
We were discussing multi-tasking the other day when someone said you could gage it by how many books you were reading at the same time. Most everyone said 1 or 2. Several said 3, I had to confess 7. I don’t get them done too quickly but it sure has helped me to figure how to juggle all I work on at the same time in the office. Days are not dull! Graduation of the present class and orientation of the new class of apprentices is at the top of the list. I am also doing grades, transcripts, revising handbooks, and volunteer paperwork in several summer departments. My favorite past time is connecting with apprentices and past volunteers. What a privilege to be able to encourage someone. This Fall I will be taking a counseling course through a generous financial gift. I am so grateful!
3CA Sectional
Once again this year I will head up the Food Service tract of the Western PA Sectional for Christian Camping. I am busy contacting food companies, speakers and vendors for the February 28th-March 2 Sectional at Laurelville Christian Camp in southern PA. This is a great time of refreshment in the Lord through others with the same passion for Christian Camping. It is a time to exchange ideas, plans, hopes, dreams and needs. It is a time to sing and rejoice, share, cry with one another, pray, plan, brainstorm, encourage each other, and especially refocus. Pastors and speakers help us to sharpen our focus on Jesus Christ and the calling God has on our lives: sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others through Christian Camping.
My Apprentices’ Summer Positions
Sujin returned home to South Korea prior to summer camp. She is preparing for more schooling in the future.
Both Abby Caple and Tim Bare head Housekeeping volunteer crews under staff Andy and Beth Peterson.
Amy Hardin is in Programming under Curtis Twigg. She is being used in various ways each week. Last week she had a counselor position.
Rachel Mozeika is head receptionist and directs the summer music program, scheduling all the chapel music and special numbers.
Keep them in prayer as God directs them for next year!
Apprentice Program Roundup
We’re rounding up eligible high school graduates who are serious about developing character and personal disciplines for effective Christian leadership in all walks of life. This is a college-level Leadership Training program that has a focus in ministry skills and Biblical Disciplines. The discipleship emphasis provides a personal, hands-on, life learning experience in which Biblical principles can be understood and applied on a daily basis. Discipleship training, along with instruction, produces the confidence, wisdom, and life habits necessary for significant Christian influence in all walks of life. The program includes 33 weeks of structured class and practical training, followed by a 10 week Management/Leadership Practicum. Some of the classes the apprentices take are: Foundations in Christ, Bible Hermeneutics, Christian Ethics, Intro to Biblical Counseling, Conflict Resolution, Basic and Advanced Riding, Horse Science I and II, Time Management, and Servant Leadership.
For more information you may contact me (814) 664-7673 (Classes are limited.)
The Incredible Gospel in the Gates!
I have been studying Nehemiah and what they went through to rebuild the walls. Tucked inside of that incredible story in chapter 3 there is a “Gem” that sparkles of Jesus Christ. It begins and ends at the sheep gate. Christ was a walking parable, as this was the gate through which animals were brought for sacrifice. John 5:2 tells us He came through this gate on the way to the pool of Bethesda. Jn1:29b is the proclamation of John the Baptist “Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Next to it is the fish gate. Through this gate, fish were brought from the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Today believers must go through the fish gate to follow Jesus. “Follow me, I will make you fishers of men!” All the gates are incredible, but the water gate caught my attention. It was the only gate not needing repair. So too is the Word of God without need of repair– it is in tact! By a daily washing of the Word we are sanctified by Truth. Read this chapter see what things you can find in the Gates!
Thanks to Supporters
I cherish your emails, newsletters, e-cards, notes of encouragement, prayers, gifts, donations and many other demonstrations of love. They always come at just the right time. David taught us to encourage ourselves in the Lord; but it is especially great when encouragement comes from YOU. I love it when you write “the Lord placed you on my mind or heart today,” or “ the Lord told me to do this for you.” When it meets a specific need or prayer request I just smile….that’s my Jesus. He is alive, well and interested, loving to reveal Himself, and remind me with those little taps on the shoulder- “That was ME!” Praise the Lord we are never alone in the body of Christ. God bless you!
-Patty May
