August 4th 2015 – Triathlon Photos From The Weekend!
The weather just held off for an awesome triathlon we had this last week!
[fsg_gallery id=”144″]
Triathlon 2014
We are so grateful to all the supporters, volunteers, and participants for the annual Covenant Point Triathlon! Covenant Point was electric with excitement and sweat! The funds raised for the triathlon are to help offset the cost for our Autism Spectrum Disorder Family Camp (ASD). Good Job everyone!
[fsg_gallery id=”85″]Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign Chicago Half Marathon Race, 2013
The weekend in Chicago was perfect for seeing the sights of Chicago, hanging out together at various functions, working at the pre-race events, and running in the half marathon on September 8th. Twenty-three people signed up to participate in the race and raise money for the Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign. Three women ran the 13 miles while others ran the 5K portion of the race. Those running the half marathon were Jessica Bacon, Lynn Mecher, and Sarah Snow.
A BIG thank you to all who worked on pre-race activities, cheered the runners on, and supported through donations. A very special thank you to all runners. It was great to see you there.
At present around $3,500 has been given with more to come. Anyone interested in donating specifically to the race can do so. Enjoy the following photos of this wonderful time together in the big city.
[fsg_gallery id=”13″]Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign Exceeds $500,000 In Pledges
Overjoyed by the excitement and generosity of giving to the Our Next Step of Faith campaign, we are pleased to announce that in conjunction with the first annual Chicago 5K & Half Marathon, and the faithful giving of over 300 donors, we have now exceeded the $500,000 mark for pledges toward our $600,000 goal! The funds raised thus far have fully paid for and completed construction of the new directors home, re-established connection with many members of the Covenant Point community, established the (growing) Chuck Frasier Memorial Internship Endowment Fund, and welcomed our first official Chuck Frasier Memorial Intern, Kim Steiner.
The director’s house was completed in time for the Stroms to move in on June 8, just before the summer season of ministry. A dedication and prayer-service over the home was conducted during a summer family camp (pictured below). Courtney Strom, wife of executive director Erik Strom, offers this about the Stroms’ transition to the new home:
“It has been such a gift to be in this home, and have a space to ourselves – a place that allows us to rest and be a family, to welcome guests, and to minister to the summer and year-round staff. My favorite moments this summer were when we hosted two breakfasts for the staff, and all the times our high school work and kitchen crews came over to hang out and reflect on their time serving here. We all enjoy when people stop by to get a tour of the home, but maybe especially our youngest son, Emmett! He loves to show off his room and entertain our guests, so stop over for a tour! Thank you for your support of the wonderful ministry of Covenant Point through this special effort.”
At this point, $97,000 remains toward meeting our $600,000 goal, and every dollar given at this point will go directly to the endowment of the internship program, with the end goal of sustainably supporting two year-round interns to serve, learn, and lead our ministry in new and exciting ways. If you have not yet given to the campaign, please consider pledging or giving a one-time gift to invest in the lives of young leaders and our ministry for years to come!
Triathlon and Campaign 5K/Half Marathon Were Successes!
Athletic fund raising is in the air at Covenant Point with two exciting events in the past two months: our 13th annual triathlon fundraiser, and our first -ever partnership with the Chicago Half Marathon/5K. Together, they have raised over $15,000 to benefit the mission and ministry of Covenant Point!
On Sunday, September 9, 2012 we held our first fundraising effort in conjunction with the Chicago Half Marathon/5K. The runners woke up early and headed down to the start line and tent area at Chicago’s Jackson Park to get ready for the event. The day was an exciting reunion of staff, families, and campers as we raced to raise funds for the final stretch of the Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign. The funds raised have built an onsite director’s home, and are building an endowment that invests in young leaders through our internship program. We were able to get a tent from the race in the main race area, which was nice to have a place to relax and catch up pre-race, as well as post-race. We had about 38 people race in total–10 running the half-marathon– and funds are still rolling in for the remaining 18% of the Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign.
Our tent, and many of the participants/spectators.
Pete Nelson, Tyler Nelson, and Joanna Vetter
Caitrin Nordstrom cheers at the finish line.
Half marathoner, Lynn Mecher nears the finish line.
Johanna Sparrman, Dustin Johnson, and Natalie Swanson at the start of the 5K.
We also had our 13th Annual Triathlon on August 5, 2012. This year’s athletes raised over $10,000, designated toward special needs ministries at CPBC – allowing us to hire specialized staff, additional staff, make structural improvements for handicap access, and create new programs to minister to children and families with special needs. More Triathlon Pictures Here
Toward the Finish Line!
Reconnect with the Covenant Point community at the Chicago Half-Marathon and 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, September 9, 2012!
Chuck would often inspire the staff to join together in completing a project after reminding them that many hands make light work. The goal is to complete The Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign, a special effort to strengthen our ongoing ministries by honoring Chuck’s life and passion for Covenant Point. We hope that staff alumni, friends and family will partner with us as we raise the final 25% ($150,000)!
Check our race information page to get all the information you need to start!
Spring is Springing & Outdoor Ed Groups are Coming
We have been taking advantage of Spring’s early arrival this year. With the ground fully thawed, trees in bloom, and the grass growing greener by the day, we’re eager to share our lake and surrounding forest with Purdue University, whose forestry, fisheries, and wildlife students arrive this Saturday for five weeks of field education. We’re also excited to be welcoming a number of area school groups who will be coming to learn about nature through Rockin’ Robins, a part of our Agents of the Earth outdoor education program.
Below is a picture from the Foster City Covenant Church confirmation class that came for low and high ropes team-building activities last weekend.
“The confirmands totally loved Saturday at CP. All of them were tired, and I’ve heard back that one of the girls who is not going to camp this year already told one of her cousins that BOTH of them [will be] going next year. . . Thank you to the staff [Trevor, Kevin, and Paul especially] for a great experience. We hope that they can continue to make gains in their faith for a long time to come from this.” – Pastor Carl Hammer
Look closely at the photo of the new directors home below. Do you notice something strange? Right now, flooring/carpet is in, shelves are up, and cabinets should be installed by the end of the week. The Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign is nearly 75% of the way to its $600,000 goal! Check out the website link to learn more about the goals of the campaign and how you can join this special effort.
Lastly, we had our latest donation from our Wish List Page to purchase extra backpacking medical kits for our growing trips program! A long time Friend of Covenant Point got excited about donating the funds to purchase these new medical kits, and we are very thankful for God’s provision, and the partnership that we have with so many friends in ministry. The medical kits will serve us well in keeping campers safe while out on our summer wilderness trips!
Purdue Office Renovation, and Wish List Fulfillments
Despite the light dusting of snow we received two days ago, spring is in the air at camp, and summer camp is right around the corner! We recently received a new Jetboil camp stove, yet another need fulfilled from our Wish List page. Check out the various needs that our staff have compiled and please give as you are led; it brings us great joy to see gifts arrive in the mail as you can tell by our excited staff members!
Preparations for summer camp are underway, and over 70 Forestry, Wildlife, and Fishery students from Purdue University will be arriving in just over two weeks for their 5 week practical course. This year we have been hard at work preparing a brand new office space in the basement of our infirmary, complete with new wireless internet access, and private office space for the Teachers Aides and Professors to do grading, and tutoring. Mike Johnson from Grace Covenant Church in Iron River volunteered many hours in helping us with this project. We are very grateful for his help and expertise!
Hardwood flooring has been laid on the first floor of the new directors home, doors have been hung, and appliances have been ordered. The home is being built as one part of our current Next Step of Faith Campaign, which seeks to endow our internship program with $300,000, and raise another $300,000 to build an onsite directors home to continue the legacy and commitment to long term leadership of former director Chuck Frasier, who passed away suddenly in November of 2010. Learn more about the campaign, and get involved today.
Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign Update
The new directors house is coming along nicely. Drywall is up, and painting should be done before next week thanks to Al Louria, a painter friend of Covenant Point who has donated his time this week to paint the entire house! We are so thankful for the generous gifts of the many friends and supporters in the Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign. Thanks to generous donations we have raised $435,318 of the $600,000 we are looking to raise for the building of a directors home, and the endowing of our internship program.
Here is an excerpt from a testimony of one of our previous interns. Download the full testimony here
“Covenant Point nurtured my faith, specifically my calling toward full-time ministry, by giving me a place to serve God’s people and better develop my gifts for ministry. It was also the perfect place for God to speak into my life. Life at camp was hectic at times, but there was plenty of space for conversations with staff as well as with campers that helped to shape my life. While serving, God used the camp staff to nurture my calling, and eventually lead me to seminary. He also used my time at Covenant Point to develop a passion to minister to God’s people in a camp setting.”
-Matt Braun | Associate Director, Portage Lake Bible Camp
We are humbled by the sacrificial giving that we have received from supporters of Covenant Point. If you have not yet joined us, please watch this video to learn more and pray about a way you can become involved. If you have already given there are still ways that you can get involved: share the vision of the campaign with a friend, host an optional giving dinner, or consider giving monthly to the campaign.
Our Latest Blessings | Gifts & Donations
First, an updated Campaign total: $428,293
Click Here to Learn More About Our Next Step of Faith
In the past few months we have been very blessed with gifts from various organizations and individuals. In total we received: filing cabinets, a flying scot sailboat, a new soundboard, and 10 cords of wood for heating. All were blessings and answers to prayer that came just at the right time and we extend love and gratefulness to all those involved in the donations of these excellent gifts that will better equip us to do the work of the Kingdom.
The Stories: God’s timing is amazing. We were anticipating purchasing a new sound board in the near future, and then we received word from a friend of camp that there was a nearly brand new sound board waiting for us in an office. After our office renovation this fall, we were looking to purchase new filing cabinets to better organize our office space, and about three weeks ago another friend called to tell us that filing cabinets were on their way. Sailing has had a resurgence among our summer programs in the past few years, so it was exciting news when we heard from a former staff member that there was a sail boat(big enough to hold a full cabin group!) in his drive way that had been donated by a seller on craigslist who decided to give it away instead of making a profit. Lastly, we were ecstatic to learn that a significant amount of seasoned wood(enough for at least 1 full winter!) had been donated to help us get ahead on our heating costs.
All these gifts were generous displays of people who gave in faith and in support of the ministry of Covenant Point. Thanks to all who gave. If you are interested in learning more about ways to give, consider becoming a Friend of Covenant Point, or visit our Gift & Projects Page or email us with things you are interested in donating.
Our Next Step of Faith Update
$425,893 – Updated Campaign Total
We are incredibly excited by the new number of donations. What a blessing to see the support of Our Next Step of Faith! We’ve now passed the two-thirds mark for total pledges, and looking ahead to the finish line. If you haven’t joined the Covenant Point community in this campaign, learn more by clicking here.
Here are few pictures from the building site. Today, our builders put up the trusses for the garage with the welcome help of a crew of volunteers from our Christmas Family Camp!
Snow Shoveling at the Building Site
The whole full time staff had to head over to the building site today to shovel because we got 8 inches of snow last night! Below are also some pictures of the site currently.
