I’m glad I found your blog. I’ll see you around LTSP.
Peace,
Chris
About me
I am a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, seminary student, servent of God.
I grew up in Vermont and since then I spent time studying at Luther College in Decorah, IA. I left because I did not know where I wanted to go with my life. I ended up taking a”year off” and I was a retreat specalist at a Lutheran Camp in Freedom, NH. The one year turned into three years. After three years at one of my favorite places in the world I knew that I was being called to ministry work but I was not sure if I was being called to be a pastor. I felt called to urban ministry even though I never had any experience working in the city. I did a nationwide search for a church to work at, I wanted to work with youth and or music. I found a church in Reading, PA that was looking for a Youth Director. I took that job for “just a year” while I was finishing my degree online through Conordia University.
That one year turned into two years (funny how that happens).
In May of 2003 I finally finished my BA in youth development. Then in the fall of 2004 - after getting married and having a child I entered seminary.
While in seminary I have worked as a part time youth director for two different churches, I have served as a Vicar, and I have witnessed the birth of my second child. I am in my last year of seminary awaiting graduation, and the assignment of my first call.
That is my life in a nutshell — I am also a big New England Patriots fan. I enjoy watching the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Celtics. I play seven different instruments. Currently my major instrument is the guitar.
I have a cat named Emma — I can’t wait to get another dog — hopefully next year.
I know I am not the greatest writer, I hope through this process I can become a better writer — but I do love stories, I love telling them and hearing them. Feel free to stop by and tell me a story or read one of mine.
What is Freedom?
Freedom for me starts at Camp Calumet……
Calumet is a Lutheran camp in Freedom, NH. It is a big part of my life and my call to ministry.
It feels like only yesterday that my parents were taking me to the pool when I was eight years old and they asked if I would like to go to sleepover camp in New Hampshire. They said it was a place called Calumet. I was eight years old at the time and I cannot remember thinking that this was going to be a big deal. I said yes and my brother said yes and that was the start of what I would like to think is a beautiful relationship.
I enjoyed it much more than my brother I think. I knew after my first year that I wanted to go back again and again. I brought friends alone with me to have them experience the same thing I did. They thought it was fun but they did not feel the same way I did.
I remember sitting on the platform of Boys Tent three with my counselor. We each had our guitars and we were jamming away. It was more him playing and me in awe of what he could do but we still had a good time (at least I did).
Another fond memory as a camper was playing double dare during a wide game. All I really remember is that it was fun and it made me want to come back.
Calumet has been one of the places where I have never felt like I needed to be someone or act a certain way. I always want to give back to Calumet in some way because it has given me so much.
Over the years I have worked on the summer staff (10 summers) and the year round staff (three years). They are all fond memories and I hope to continue with the memories and to help create memories for my family and anyone else I encounter there.
Responses
By: Confident Lutheran on August 20, 2007
at 5:20 pm
Hey there. I just noticed that you stopped by and added me to your blogroll. Thanks much. I am looking forward to reading your stuff.
By: Eric on September 26, 2007
at 1:20 pm
Hi, I just found your blog through a link at another Lutheran blog. I read so many of them that I don’t know which one. Sorry. Anyway, the reference to LTSP caught my eye, as my daughter is a graduate of LTSP (MST, I think it is called) May 06. And my husband and I graduated from Luther College (back in the last century, of course.) Daughter is married, has two children, and is awaiting a call in SW Wisconsin. She and her husband have worked at several Lutheran camps, met at a camp, and currently live at a camp. Camping ministry certainly is about helping grow leaders and helping people know that they are called.
May God Bless your ministry!
By: PS on February 2, 2008
at 3:36 pm
