During these past few years, we at RVchurchesUSA have been engaged in the process of identifying campgrounds across the country (including Alaska) that conduct on-site church services.

Part of our mission is to acknowledge campground owner’s passion to serve Christ known to all RVers via our searchable database- at no cost!

We attempt to personally contact the owners in an effort to verify the existence of services and, when possible, talk to those involved in it’s administration – primarily the speakers. Although time consuming, these interviews have been very encouraging to both the campground owners and our ministry staff, as well.

The best resource for identifying these existing services is YOU!

No doubt, other RVers have told you about campgrounds hosting services or you personally have stayed at a campground that offered them.

Please take a moment and help us identify the campgrounds by simply completing the “Comments” section below. Give us as much information as possible – name, location, website, etc. We’ll do the rest!

You can serve other RVers visiting RVchurchesUSA daily who search our database. Of course, as others share their knowledge, you become the benefactor, as well.  In this way, it’s a win-win scenario for all of us – campground owners, RVers and the Kingdom!

Don’t forget to check out our great articles emphasizing spiritual growth and secular RV-lifestyle as well as our resource page for RVers.

Thanks for your participation.

Blessings!

Rev. Don Marienthal of Sky Valley Ministries begins Bible study at Sky Valley Resort mobile home park in Sky Valley with about 40 members on Jan. 5. Sky Valley Ministries serves residents who have second homes in the Coachella Valley or come to the desert in winter in their Recreational Vehicles. During winter Sunday services attendance can be as high as 600 members. (Wade Byars, The Desert Sun)

Out of the estimated 27,000 campgrounds in the United States, about 125 have embraced the trend.

Two are in the Coachella Valley.

“They love not having to leave their campground to go into town for a church service,” said Duane Careb, who created RVchurchesUSA.org in 2008. “Plus, people really enjoy learning about God in the setting of nature.”

More RVs are owned by Baby Boomers than any other group, according to a 2001 University of Michigan study commissioned by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. The generation also makes up the fastest-growing segment of the RV market.

Robert Ruesch, who founded Christian Resort Ministries in 2002, said RV’ers want “the peace of mind knowing they have a church-based support system waiting for them at their destination.”

Force Hall at at Sky Valley Resorts serves as a chapel for Rev. Don Marienthal and Sky Valley Ministries which serve as many as 600 residents on Sundays during winter. (Wade Byars, The Desert Sun)

Both men started their organizations to help out Baby Boomers who take to the road and want religion to come with them. They hook up RV resorts with pastors and musicians for church services.

“We’re a networking RV ministry,” said Careb.

At Sky Valley and Caliente Springs Resorts in Desert Hot Springs, attendance at Sunday services can be as high as 600 during winter months. Both have chapels, which is rare, Careb said.

Reverend Don Marienthal, 64, of Indio, is the senior chaplain of Sky Valley Ministry and oversees church services at both locations.

“My call to ministry is seniors; it’s where my heart is. They could be at the bottom of a coal mine or at an RV park, I just want to minister to seniors. It just so happens, there are a lot at RV parks,” Marienthal said.

Bible studies are on Wednesdays, hymn sings are regularly scheduled and Marienthal — along with three chaplains under his leadership — plan and conduct weddings and memorials.

Both chapels are nondenominational.

“In a park, you have a whole range of denominations, a blending of different positive influences in people’s lives,” said Roger Weber, who along with his wife, Wanda, lives at Sky Valley Resort six months a year.

“Having a nondenominational service every Sunday meets the needs of all the campers,” Weber said.

In 1997, the Webers bought an RV and began traveling throughout the United States.

They reserved space at the resort for one week.

They stayed for five months.

A retired accountant, Roger Weber now is treasurer of the Sky Valley Ministries board.

“The atmosphere is wonderful,” said Roger Weber, 78. “Having a church here is important to us.”

In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor.

Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, ‘We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you.’ So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, “I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century.

Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there. He looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn’t find it.

“The conductor said, ‘Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.’”Einstein nodded appreciatively.

The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. “The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are; no problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.’

Einstein looked at him and said, ‘Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”

Having said that Billy Graham continued, “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. My children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing.”

“I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am. I also know where I’m going.” May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and may nothing but happiness, come through your door. “Life without God is like an un-sharpened pencil – it has no point.”

October 2010 Christian Resort Ministries international (CRM) graduated 31 students recently who are now endorsed and qualified for service in RV Parks in the United States.  “We were honored to bring into focus excellent teaching and training for our chaplain candidate class,” stated Dennis Maloney, CRM’s General Director.

CRM’s charter course – held on the campus of College of the Ozarks in Branson, MO – focused on many topics including support raising, Pastoral care, counseling, RV resort living, cyber-technical challenges, use of spiritual gifts/ministry to other faiths, to name a few.  Each day was opened with a devotional time offered by Dr. Dan Griffin who teaches seminary extension courses in the Missouri area.

Other facility members were Dr. Dan Brezavar, Sr., Pastor of Church of the Harvest in Branson and Dennis Maloney, MBA.

“The classes were on target and presented with first-rate material. My wife and I would not have missed it! The training was just what we needed to complete our requirements to volunteer as Chaplains in an RV park,” stated one pastor and his wife who came from Virginia to addend the one-week course.

Christian Resort Ministries requires chaplains to meet specific standards to qualify for service in the RV resort ministry.  Lay chaplains (without formal Bible school education) who apply to become endorsed by CRM are required to complete 30 hours of training within 18 months prior to be assigned. Their aggressive training course work includes The Life of Christ, Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Missions, The Ministry of the Holy Spirit, Pastoral Care, The Book of Acts, three other book studies as electives and their choice of either Anthropology or Bible Archeology.

Training can be in a classroom, by correspondence or at an extension facility.  “New chaplains receive 40 Hours of Hands on Chaplaincy developed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas with an additional 12 hours of division specific chaplaincy training taught by our division managers at Chaplain University.  There is a 6 hour continuing education piece required annually.  In addition, chaplains are trained in NOVA disaster response, ASIST Suicide Intervention training and CISM first responder intervention,” says Maloney.

“We are aware of the need of excellence when working with other businesses, and thus we strive to bring qualified excellence to the table as we offer a Chaplain Program to campground resorts across America.  In today’s litigated world, you need to have a professional posture and presence in the volunteers we offer for service. We especially are honored to work with RVchurchesUSA*, as they enroll member resorts, campgrounds and parks. Along with their Ambassador Club members, we can offer the opportunity to bring a non-denominational Chaplain into that park. Working with multiple mission ministry-minded organizations is a vital key to each other’s success. (*Christian Resort Ministries and RVchurchesUSA have been ministry partners for over 3 years.)

“We want our chaplains to be equipped to be the finest they can be and equipped to bring the word of the saving grace of Jesus Christ to those who don’t know and who do  know Him.  Lets face it, time is short, eternity is forever. If we are not doing the labor of the Lord now, when do we do this work?,” Maloney asks. “Jesus clearly states in Acts 1:8 that we need to be His witness to the ends of the earth.  Resort ministry in RV parks, campgrounds and resorts spans all the requirements in the Acts passage.”

CRM’s Chaplain University offers a three-phase teaching process over 3 years and is presented in the Branson, MO area each year in September.  Further information on CRM international and Chaplain University can be obtained by visiting www.crmintl.org.

Robert Ruesch is the Sr. Chaplain and Field Service Director of CRM international and taught the technical classes at the university.

Owner Kim Skinner tells RVchurchesUSA that her resort covers 200 acres, offers tent/RV sites and has cabin accommodations for guests as well. The newly remodeled Guest Services Building houses the General store, Guest check-in and wi-fi services.

In addition to a host of full-service amenities for a variety of guests – including hunters, church groups, corporate and other organizations – Deer Run offers nondenominational on-site church services in a separate building dedicated for Chapel use. With capacity for 100 worshipers, services are held each Sunday from April to October each season.

Pastor Jeff Elliott, Director of Student Development/Asst Professor at Tennessee Temple University,  presents messages similar to that below:

5 Things God Wants You to Know

1. No one is perfect. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom.3:23)

2. We can’t fix ourselves. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” (Titus 3:5)

3. Jesus offers us the answer. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)

4. You must accept Jesus for salvation. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

5. Now is the best time to do it! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2b)

Deer Run’s Sunday posters and brochure states, “You’re always among FRIENDS here!  Dress Casual!”

One visit to Deer Run’s website is incentive enough to contact Kim and her staff who are obviouslydedicated to serving with excellence by providing great Guest Service, ample amenities and opportunities for RVers to worship God in Community with others. It doesn’t get much better than that!

We are honored to have Deer Run RV Resort as a Charter Campground Member of our ministry’s Association. Contact them by calling (931) 484-3333 or emailing to info@deerrunresort.com.

]]> http://www.rvchurchesusa.org/deer-run/feed/ 0 http://www.rvchurchesusa.org/make-a-difference-serve-while-rving/ http://www.rvchurchesusa.org/make-a-difference-serve-while-rving/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:22:02 +0000 RVchurchesUSA http://www.rvchurchesusa.org/?p=1471 by Duane Careb
President RVchurchesUSA

We here at RVchurchesUSA have been following several compelling stories of RVers who have compassionately decided to serve the those in need – communities, individuals, churches, camps,etc – in the course of their traveling.

Jesus refers to this “life style” in Matt 25:40 and Matt 25:45 implying that when we serve those in need, we are actually giving Glory as well as Honor to Him. Whatever we do for someone else – especially those less fortunate – will most certainly be recognized and honored by God (Matt 25:23).

Most of us who serve others in need avoid fanfare and shun accolades as much as possible. Serving has little place for bragging or boasting as Paul, the Apposel writes in He also gives us clear instruction regarding humility when we serve in Matt 6: 2-4.

Here are just a few articles we’ve posted regarding the topic of serving others while Rving:

RV’ers Serve Others, MRO-Ministry to NASCAR, Another “Homeless” Family, RV Couple Uproot to Help Needy, and Volunteering- – Who Really Benefits? among others.

We’ll continue to search for more compassionate-serving Christian RVers and publish their stories here on RVchurchesUSA.

I hope you’ll consider joining other RVers as they “live” out their faith by volunteering in some way to serve, help or otherwise touch the heart of those in need – all for the Audience of One. Matt 25:21

Amen

In addition to the religious aspect of the organization, the MRO compound acts as a central community center for the drivers, crew members, wives and families at the track each weekend. There are scheduled activities for children and adults. In addition, the chaplains and staff members act as counselors and liaisons to the drivers, crew and their families.

Please view this short video below to get a better understanding of what and how MRO impacts lives for Christ:

MRO’s three recreational vehicles — a main community center/classroom facility and two motor homes used to house the staff — are driven down from North Carolina and parked in one corner of each NASCAR event. They’ll be a hub of activity for the extended NASCAR family over the next 72 hours. In addition, there’s a golf cart for MRO use, which will rarely sit idle.

MRO hosts a media chapel – mainly for network television crews – as well as a women’s Bible study group.

It’s about as quiet as an open-air tent in the middle of a racing garage can be — the noise from the jet dryers on the track, not withstanding — as the chapel service begins with an opening prayer, followed by music from the praise band.

“It’s all about the highs and lows with family members and everything in between,” MRO Chaplain Jamie says. “It’s every facet of life here.”

MRO – Motor Racing Outreach: It’s all about building relationships with Christ within the racing community – one heart at a time.

Many blessings are experienced at Lakeland RV Resort because of a wonderful church family that prays and stays connected.

Every Sunday at 9am the recreation hall is turned into a very special place of worship where attendees hear the organ, accordion and piano playing as they enter in community.  The smell the cinnamon buns in the oven serve as a reminder that coffee and fellowship will follow after the service.

Worshipers are blessed with a 24-member choir which also gives a spring concert to a packed audience .  A couple from Wisconsin, serve as choir directors.  Byron is a retired music teacher.  His wife Arlene has crippling arthritis in her hands but God has given her the the gift and ability to play old time hymns – her fingers flowing from one end of the keyboard to the other.

Many neighbors of various faiths or denominations attend following their own services just to enjoy the music and hear Pastor “Ollie’s”  message. Just another blessing! He is a retired minister from Michigan who weekly teaches God’s Word – impacting the hearts of all.

This church is a very important part of resident’s and visitor’s life at Lakeland Rv Resort.  The church community maintains a  remarkable prayer chain which even extends to those traveling away from the resort.  Many have testified to how God has answered prayers and requests..

Regardless of your denomination, church or faith background, everyone is welcome to visit and receive a blessing from a special church in a special place – Lakeland RV Resort in Lakeland, Florida.

Lakeland RV Resort
900 Old Combee RD
Lakeland, FL 33540
(863) 687-6146
lakelandrv@tampabay.rr.com
www.carefreervresorts.com

At InventorSpot.com, a detachable RV is being featured. It is quite modernistic looking and is environmentally friendly.

Not much detail is given, but what makes it unique is that the front is detachable.

The little car by itself would likely get great mileage. The whole RV has to be light weight.

The living quarters can sleep 4 people and there is a kitchenette and bathroom. It has storage room and natural lighting.

The only disappointing thing is that this is a design from a German student and there are no plans for production. But wouldn’t this be a hoot to drive?

Visit Jaimie’s blog

Reprinted with permission

co-founder RVchurchesUSA
Read 2Cor 5: 20-21

Recently I watched one of my all-time favorite movies featured during the Christmas season – “It’s A Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart. The premise of the movie is that we ALL have had an impact on people during our life – without exception! You simply must see this film if you haven’t already.

Uncle Charlie, the town drunk, works for George Bailey (Stewart) – who owns the Bedford Falls Savings and Loan – looses a large deposit and therefore forces Bailey into bankruptcy (sound familiar in these present days?). Bailey is now in big financial trouble. It’s driven him to the brink of despair and as he sits in Martini’s bar, he cries out to God saying, “If you are real …. show me the way!” Remembering that Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) – the miserly and mean banker in town- said George was “… worth more dead than alive”, he then heads for the nearest bridge to end his life.

Can you identify with that scene? The reality of it? The hopelessness of it? Ever wonder if your life has been worthy or impact full to others? Read on ….

Evidently the prayers of George’s family and friends reach Heaven where the angel Clarence is dispatched to intercede and shows him the alternate universe that would have been had he never existed. It’s something each and every one of us should try to do – step outside ourselves and realize just what our contributions can be.

George wishes he was never born in the first place. Zap! Clarence grants his wish and after experiencing many flashbacks seeing all the people whose lives have been touched by George and the difference he has made to the community, George cries out, “I want to live again!”  Double Zap! Clarence transforms Bailey back to Bedford Falls – still on the brink of bankruptcy – with new hope and appreciation for the impact his life has in fact made on others.

The townsfolk respond to a call to come along the Bailey family and rescue them from their financial woes. Clarence, of course, gets his wings after all!

So How can we apply this plot to our lives today?

Consider RVchurchesUSA’s foundation verse 2Cor 5:20-21 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”.

That’s God’s vision, mission and strategy for each of us.

Our purpose is to fulfill His mission by identifying RV sites (campgrounds/resorts/parks) that offer nondenominational church services and/or Bible studies across the USA and link the RV Community to those sites. And our mission is encourage and equip owners of RV campgrounds/resorts/parks across the USA desiring to support nondenominational church services and/or Bible studies on-site; and become a resource for the RV Community seeking church services or Bible study opportunities as they travel.

So there you have it!  Let’s partner together with the Lord in impacting live for Christ – one heart at a time. Spread the word about RVchurchesUSA so we can serve the RV Community where ever they call “home”.

Lord, “show me the way”. It is, indeed, A Wonderful Life! Amen.