I have attended North Pointe since I was born (of course then it was called Central Tabernacle) with my parents and grandparents. I have worked in the nursery and attended Youth during some of my teen years. I felt God may have been telling me to be a missionary and felt that Birch Bay Ranch was an option for me.
I went to Birch Bay as staff from the ages of 13-17 then again from 19-22. During those summers, I felt loved and safe. When I was in my teen years, 15+, my family went through some issues that I couldn’t fix. I was badly hurt, furious with God, and struggling to understand how the God I grew up learning about could allow something like this to happen to us. I felt completely alone and angry and I didn’t feel any love or support from the church during this time. But I always knew whenever I needed prayer, support or discipleship, I could head to Birch Bay and get it from the staff out there. When I felt depressed and alone all I needed to do was to pass the gates of Birch Bay and I would always have the feeling of safety and a sense of being home. The staff out there teasingly called that sense “the Birch Bay bubble”; once you enter the bubble, all your worries can fade away and you are surrounded by God’s love. Everything at Birch Bay showcases God’s handiwork, from the sunrises to sunsets; the forests surrounding the main buildings and the natural wildlife, I know when I have questions or need to pray, I find it easiest to do it out there, where you can’t help but feel God.
During the summer, the staff gets the opportunity to minister to 100 different kids every week for 8 weeks. By the end of the summer, I would always be tired but satisfied because I knew that I told every kid I met about God. Not only are the kids learning new things, the staff are, as well. Every morning, the staff has devotions as a huge group and learns about God and his word. Over the summer, most staff gets the opportunity to teach (disciple) each other about what they have learned/experienced about God. Although, Birch Bay isn’t just a summer camp; it runs all year around with groups that come out and get to experience God in their own way. Looking back over the years, I know that if it wasn’t for Birch Bay and the experience I had there, I wouldn’t be as strong of a Christian as I am now or even if I would still be a Christian.
From what I understand about the situation regarding the future of Birch Bay Ranch is that the Church wants to sell the land that Birch Bay sits on, even though it was donated to the church in the beginning, for the ministry of Jesus. I don’t understand why the church can’t donate the land to Birch Bay once again for the ministry of Jesus. I know that North Pointe’s mission statement is “North Pointe exists to see a personal relationship with Jesus grow in everyone; everyday” and that one of the reasons that North Pointe is considering selling off Birch Bay is that the board doesn't think that Birch Bay has an everyday impact on people's growth and development as Christians. I can honestly say that my experience with Birch Bay is that my relationship with God grew drastically and remains a daily thing specifically due to the teaching and disciplining that occurred there (and still continues to occur) more so even than any of the other "programs" the church offers. I certainly received more everyday growth and development in my relationship with Jesus at Birch Bay than I ever did at youth group or other youth functions at church. Birch Bay still has a beating heart for God and does a great job leading children to Christ but also mentoring the staff in their walk with God. I don’t know if me writing this changes anything, and I am sure that whatever happens is God’s will, but I didn’t want to look back in my life and wonder if I had said something, if my home would still be around.
Thank you for your time and God bless!
Kaitlyn Pearse
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