Dear Friends,
As we look at the present, TWFM is a place where people can spend a time of intimacy in relationship with God. Personal retreats build that intimacy with the Creator. Prayer retreats for couples build that intimacy in marriages. Friends come and minister to each other. Families and groups rediscover meaningful time together in the beautiful setting that God has provided here at The Wilderness.
The three larger cabins give families and groups a place for these special times. Each of these cabins are different. Some with electricity, some without, but each communicates a unique setting and the extension of welcome that is the heartbeat of this ministry. Yet the rugged, wilderness adventure has not been lost as each cabin has maintained it’s ability to delight those who long for simplicity.
In the middle of this group of cabins is the octagonal Fellowship Center, consisting of Johnson Hall, a gathering and worship space for large groups, and the Founders Fireside Retreat Center, The Wilderness’s first fully modern retreat facility. It is able to accommodate sleeping for 12 adults and has a large gathering room for meetings and fellowship.
We have seen the ministry of the personal prayer cabins grow extensively since we built the first cabin in 1991. We now have 5 prayer cabins and weekends are normally booked six weeks in advance and weekdays are often filled up on shorter notice. These cabins provide a place of restoration. People who come with burdens and pain have found a place within the prayer cabins to let tears flow and healing begin. Our staff has had the privilege of witnessing the transformation of lives through an orchestrated encounter with Jesus. We want to convey the love of Christ through our facilities and our style of service. It has been a joy to pray with guests when the opportunity presents itself, as they are arriving or as they stop in the office to check out. The office at times looks more like a “prayer room” than an office, but this is a good thing.
It is our desire to continue to grow with additional prayer cabins, and perhaps someday with anniversary cabins where a married couple can celebrate their special days, additional group/family cabins, and a bunkhouse-type facility to house those using the Johnson Hall. This facility could also be used as an overflow of the Founders Fireside Retreat Center. The possibilities are amazing and endless if the Lord should provide the funds to develop it all. It’s up to Him.
As we see an increase in the needs of people and their desire to grow in intimacy with God, we also see the need for additional staff and staff housing to accommodate those needs. We are trusting God to bring the resources and provide for the additional growth of The Wilderness Fellowship Ministries and we invite you to join us in prayer for these ministry developments.
