As we’re well into our second week of staff training, I have rested in complete awe and wonder of what the Lord has done within and through our staff. Last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday was The Plunge– a four session spiritual retreat that ministers to the spiritual health of the staff and prepares their hearts for the rest of the summer. This year’s Plunge was especially impactful. Freedom from sin, burden, and insecurity was won, and old identities were left behind as we stepped into our new identities found in Christ. Here are some staff members and their experiences. 

Being new to Beulah, Mckenzie Danhoff has been taking in all that staff training has to offer for the very first time. When camp kicks off next week, she will be serving as a Day Camp counselor. This is what she had to say:

“The 2023 Plunge was nothing like I had ever experienced before. Since it was my first year on staff, I didn’t know what to expect so I just prayed that I would be brought closer to the Lord. He surely answered that prayer because I now feel that I have more than a religion, I have a relationship. I can talk with the Lord like I never have been able to before and I am so grateful for that. All glory to the Lord for the change he brought upon my life.”

Mikayla Looper has served at Beulah for the past two summers as an Overnight Camp counselor; this summer, she faithfully answered the call back to serve as the Assistant Director for Beulah on the Road. This was her Plunge experience:

“I had been through two Plunges before this year, so I thought I knew what to expect. I thought we were going to worship some, hear about how the Lord has equipped us, and be encouraged through every session. While all of those things did happen, the Lord moved in ways I had never expected Him to. The first three sessions were incredibly filled with Holy Spirit, and He moved through us as we prophesied over one another and prayed with the authority Jesus has given us. The last session was especially sweet because Holy Spirit filled the room in such a powerful way. We started by lining the room and making a tunnel. One at a time, each person walked down the tunnel as we prayed for that person, or prophesied over them, or shared anything Holy Spirit shared with us to share with them. He used everyone to speak to each other, and it was such an empowering and tender moment with the whole staff and Holy Spirit. I had words spoken over my life that applied directly to situations I was and am going through that can only be explained through the work of the Lord. It was also a blessing to get to practice tapping into Holy Spirit to speak words over others. Holy Spirit shared many words with me that were undeniably from Him for others. I keep saying it feels as if the floodgates have been opened by Holy Spirit, and it feels like He will never close them again. As I was reflecting on the experience, I wanted to find some Scripture to back up the experience I and many others had. Testing everything we heard and experienced with Scripture is something we were all encouraged to do. So I did, and the Lord provided me with Joel 2:28-29. I hope these verses encourage you because I know they have encouraged me. Holy Spirit is real, and He wants to move in and through us. I encourage you to push into Him and ask Him to grow you in ways you never thought were possible. I have been changed by the experience Holy Spirit supplied through the Plunge, and I can’t wait to see what He has for me next.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all fresh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. Joel 2:28-29″

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting and praying for our staff as we gear up for the summer! I can already attest to the good work the Lord has done and have faith that there is still so much yet to come.