Dear Friends In Christ,
I am staying very busy and enjoying being able to be with the retreat groups one last time before I retire from camping at the end of May and begin my new ministry at Memorial heights Baptist Church in Cumberland MD in June. The winter retreats have been a blast so far, especially the ones that I was able to join in with my guitar for times of worship and praising the Lord. At one of the retreats in January, there were folks who were campers for my first retreats way back in 1990. They brought their children with them so I got to minister to another generation. It was awesome.
This past weekend, I had the privilege of leading worship at the 3CA Allegheny Christian Camping Conference at Laurelville Conference Center in Mount Pleasant, PA. I have been leading worship for this event for 30 plus years, and it was bittersweet knowing it will be my last time with this wonderful people. What a blessing they have been to me over the years.
I decided against buying a trailer in Ridgeley WV. I could not find a bank that would give me a loan that did not include super high interest rates. I would have ended up paying triple of what the trailer was actually worth. Instead, it looks like I will be moving to Ellerslie MD. There is an apartment there that suits my budget, just waiting on the credit report so I can sign the lease. It is only 15 minutes from the camp in one direction and 15 minutes from the church in the other direction.
I am looking forward to the events we have coming up in the month of March. The first is the Small Group Retreat and Dodgeball Tourney. We already have 40 signed up and ready to roll. I always enjoy this event, especially leading worship. Trey Hensley will speak for the first two sessions, but I was asked to speak for the last session Sunday Morning as it will be last time ministering to these church groups. Kind of sad, but looking forward to sharing my heart with the adults and the campers. The other big event is the Men’s Retreat March 28-29 with my old school buddy from Knoxville doing the speaking. Kemp Wynn will be teaching from 1st and 2nd Peter on the topic of Men’s Finishing Well. I have led these events many times during my years as a camp missionary at New Life and it will be very difficult to say goodbye to these wonderful guys who have become cherished friends.
On March 5th, I travelled over to Shenandoah Junction WV to take part in the Mission’s Week at Fellowship Bible Church. I had the opportunity to lead worship and check in with all my friends from this wonderful group of believers. This church has been a great support to me over the years, always a place to get encouragement and sweet fellowship. They surprised me with a beautiful retirement cake, which was totally unexpected! On March 7th, I was invited to so some music with old friend Andrew Mason at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cumberland MD, singing and leading songs for their monthly Friday Night Family Get together. In April, on Easter Sunday, I will be joining the praise team at Calvary Bible Church for their early morning Easter service and also for the main morning service. I have been part of this church for many years, but this may be my last time to play for their worship services as my retirement and move to the Memorial Heights Baptist Church staff is just around the corner.
Even though I am not officially retired, we are getting a head start on the Men’s Ministry at Memorial Heights by starting a Men’s Bible Study that will meet in the fellowship hall of the church at 6:30 PM, beginning on April 3rd and running through May 22. We will go for 8 weeks, take a break and pick back up in July. Please keep me in your prayers, especially as I transition from one ministry to another. God bless you all richly in Christ!
Ever Only Jesus,
Andy Maples