By Jason Wilkie
Executive Director, Camp Siloam
King Solomon wrote, “there is a time for everything; a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” It is as if the time to tear down and uproot is being orchestrated by our Heavenly Father so that He can re-build Camp Siloam after the virus crisis season. We have literally seen buildings come down and trees uprooted during some strange events in the last twelve months. However, the uprooting and planting is not limited to trees. Our Father is moving His warriors where He needs them most and He is preparing to send a new team for a new season at Camp Siloam.
ROBERT COPPEDGE TO TAKE POSITION AT IMPACT 360 INSTITUTE
Robert Coppedge, Camp Siloam’s Director of Programs announced to the staff on Friday, July 12th that he is called to take the position of Associate Director of Enrollment and Selection at Impact 360 institute in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
Impact 360 Institute has been cultivating leaders who follow Jesus. Through biblical worldview education, community-based discipleship, leadership coaching, vocational mentoring, and missional opportunities, students are equipped to live as change-agents in the world. Impact 360 Institute serves High School graduates through their 9-month Impact 360 Fellows Gap Year experience, teenagers for one and two weeks through Impact 360 Immersion and Propel programs, and young professionals pursuing a graduate degree through Impact 360 Masters. Impact 360 Institute is committed to ensuring that students are “being transformed in their character,” so they can be “sent out to live a life of Kingdom influence.” Here is the link to the website www.impact360institute.com
We have seen God’s hand over this transition as He has crafted a position that is perfect for Robert and has provided in incredible ways for his family. Robert’s giftedness and passions are perfectly crafted for the new role.
We will miss Robert and Amanda and their family’s contribution to Jesus’ ministry at Camp Siloam. Our ministry culture is what it is today because of their fingerprints on Camp Siloam. Robert came to Camp Siloam almost nine years ago at a time when Camp Siloam was trying to create a new culture and identity. He leaves Camp Siloam far better than he found it. He has incorporated a culture of engagement among our summer staff, he started the S-Core and T2 leadership programs. Under his leadership the summer staff grew from 30 staff members to 85. Robert’s wife, Amanda, became a confidant to many of our female summer staff. She led growth groups on Sunday evenings for Camp Siloam summer staff. The last several years Amanda worked in the kitchen assisting in cooking for guest groups. Robert’s children Levi (16), Karys (14) and Ethan (12) were involved in starting the Nature Center at Camp Siloam. Levi and Karys worked in the kitchen in recent years as well. Please pray for the Coppedge family as they make this transition.
CHRIS AND SUMMER WRIGHT CALLED TO FULL-TIME MISSIONS
In addition, Chris and Summer Wright, who served at Camp Siloam as our Guest Experience Director and Maintenance Manager, have shared with us on June 15th that they are called to serve at a U.S. based missions organization called Children’s Bible Ministries. Children’s Bible Ministries organizes Bible Studies with elementary age kids. During the Bible Studies children earn points to go to summer camp. Before coming to Camp Siloam Chris, Summer and their son Tristan served at Camp Gilead, a Children’s Bible Ministries camp, in Florida. They will return to serve at that camp and in the organization as full-time missionaries.
“We have been wanting more of Jesus and have been praying through what that really means,” said Summer. “What we ultimately believe is that the Lord is asking us to trust Him completely with our entire lives and our family. We have been seeking wise counsel and have had strategic prayer warriors lifting us up throughout this time.”
Chris shared with the staff that the seed of full-time ministry had been growing in their hearts for some time, but they dismissed that for a period of time. At the collegiate Passion Conference in January, God began to water those seeds of missions. Chris and Summer were obedient to respond and for that we are very proud of them.
Chris and Summer have contributed so much to Camp Siloam in the last two years. There is not a better reason to leave Camp Siloam then to go on the mission field and serve Jesus. We love how God calls people to full-time missions and ministry. We celebrate their obedience to His call. The two of them will leave big shoes to fill and will be missed.
Siloam is a Hebrew word meaning “sent” (John 9:7). It is one of the few Hebrew words that are defined right in the scriptures. We believe the idea of sending permeates all that we do here at Camp Siloam. We celebrate that God sent the Coppedge family and the Wright family to serve with us. We celebrate that they have been obedient to follow Him to their new Kingdom assignments and we trust that the Father is preparing to send people who will carry forward the work of Jesus’ ministry at Camp Siloam. The leadership at Camp Siloam views these events as an opportunity to restructure the organization to meet the needs of our current and future environment.