SMOKY MOUNTAIN RESORT MINISTRIES ASKS:

CAN YOU DIG IT?

I have a cell phone.
I have unlimited minutes on my phone.
I keep all my numbers, schedules, music, and notes on my phone.
I have unlimited texting and still need more.
I can text blindfolded.
Who needs vowels?
I have different ringtones for all my friends.
What is a watch?
I called someone on a landline once in the last year.
What is a landline?
I know my grandmother's landline number.

My Facebook friends number is greater than 400.
I Facebook all my groups daily.
I Facebook my friends when we are in the same room.
I play invitations and causes and tests on Facebook.
I have a Facebook group named after me.
Once upon a time, I emailed.
I deFaced 10 people in the last year.

You can look me up in Wikipedia.
When you Google my name, the real me is on the first page.
I tweet.
I have my own website.
My You Tube videos are better than your You Tube videos.
I need earbuds.
I Ipod.

YES, I CAN!

Personal conversations are meaningful forms of communication.
I understand dialog –and like it.
I am not afraid to talk to people older than me or different from me.
I know how to communicate with my eyes and my body language.
I have written a paper thank you note and mailed it with a stamp recently.
I have a real friend who is not a Christian and with whom I visit personally,
in presence, every week.
I pray in person with a group of present friends on a regular basis.
To listen with my heart into what someone is saying gives me energy.
I practice active listening that goes beyond what the person is saying and into who they are.
I believe the incarnation of Christ reveals God's way of love for us.
I like to reveal God's presence active in people's lives.
To share holy moments with someone is what it means to be on Christian.
I understand and practice incarnational ministries.
I am an on mission Christian.
I am real.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN RESORT MINISTRIES

2009 ANNUAL REPORT

Resort missions is intentional in its work; purposeful in its style; and requires initiative.
When done right, it is an incarnational expression of God's love.
Resort missions is personal and relational.  It reveals God's presence to individuals.

Scott and Jennifer Capshaw

The key words and actions of "intentional", "purposeful", "initiative", and "relational" have been modeled in the ministry of Scott and Jennifer Capshaw in their years with SMRM.  From summer missions positions in the late 1990's through consultant and special project work in the early 2000's, they understood what we are about in SMRM.  Since 2003, Scott has served as Assistant Director and Dollywood Chaplain.  This year's SMRM story has been a celebration of relationship on his part as he concluded his work in that capacity.  He has loved others in Christ's name and for Christ's sake.  His witness has enabled many of them to become Christians.  His pastoral care and life-guidance have enabled others to handle the hard issues life has brought them.  His insightful presence has interpreted the holy in their joys and celebrations.   Scott and Jennifer are real. 

(For more information about their current position as Director of Chugach Resort Ministries, please contact them at scottcapshaw@hotmail.com).

Volunteers

The instant communication systems identified above have challenged us this year to go deeper into relationships.  Working with millennial college age students proved demanding as we sought to get them to detach from instant home and enter into intentional mission.  For some, it was a great experience that enabled them to go deep into God's call for their lives.  For others, it was a frightening possibility that kept them in the superficial realm of instant relationships and electronic friendships.  We have much work to do in this area as we recruit and involve future college age volunteers.  Our houseparent, regional, and local church volunteers did excellent work with many programs and, even more importantly, with many individuals.  They have been real. 

International Employees

God continues to bring the world to us through international employees who come for a season of work.  These college age students come from South America in the winter months, Thailand in the spring, and Eastern Europe during the summer.  Our relationship evangelism and individual counseling moments are powerful expressions of God's love.  We have worked to teach them to make life decisions while listening to God's plan for their lives and discovering God's loving will for them.  This international ministry is real.

Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries

SMRM continues to be a wonderful expression of missions in the resort settings of Sevier County.  The year provided for sound programs that opened the way for deep relationships.  Winter ski ministries provided many with personal encounters with Christ –and enabled them to enter into his saving love.  Campground ministries continued to decrease in numbers but remained strong in opening possibilities for conversation and relationship evangelism.  Special event ministries and theme park / special attraction ministries worked to get peoples' attention, to earn the right to be heard, to build relationships for hearing, and to be heard with the Gospel.  We simplified many of our programs but went deeper into personal expressions of mission with great response from those God brought us to.  This incarnational style is the heart of resort missions. We rejoice that Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries is real!

SMOKY MOUNTAIN RESORT MINISTRIES

2009 STATISTICS SHEET

October 1, 2008 – September 30, 2009

        Number Attendance

Ski Ministry

Employee Worship Handouts and Scripture Portions             13           1300
Skier Worship Services                                                         13            241
Employee Bible Studies                                                         10            211
Easter Sunrise Service                                                             1            700

Campground Ministry

Worship Services                                                               128          1924
Family Evening Programs                                                        11           713
Day Camps  (1 week each)                                                     39         1265

Theme Parks / Special Attractions Ministry

Dollywood       
9:30 Worship Service                                                             31            561
11:30 Worship Service                                                           31         6824
Christmas Festival: Candlelight Worship Service                        8           772

LeConte Lodge
Sunrise Worship Service                                                         18           131
Breakfast Worship Service                                                     24           173
Good Friday Service                                                                1             69

Special Events Ministry

Gatlinburg Craftsmens' Fair
Sunday Worship Services                                                         5           198

July 4 Pre-Parade Ministries                                      9 teams     80,000

International Employees Ministry

Special Events  (Dinners, Picnics, Parties, Park Tours, etc)     39            824
Bible Studies                                                                          12              73
Transportation                                                                        58            574
Partnership with Pigeon Forge FBC LaPeurta                           9            275
Other                                                                                     21            114

Volunteers Utilized                                                                             450

Professions of Faith:                                                            32   
Renewals of Faith:                                                               19