Covenant News

'Solitude Cabin' Dedicated at Twin Lakes Camp

AMES, IA (July 8, 2005) - A solitude cabin - intended as a retreat for Christians in full time ministry - was dedicated last weekend as part of Celebration Saturday at Twin Lakes Christian Center.

The cabin is currently under renovation. When completed, it will be offered free of charge for use by pastors, youth pastors, missionaries, camp staff, and others in full-time ministry.

Nearly 50 people participated in the dedication. During the service, pastors from several Iowa Covenant churches - including Alan Dean of Red Oak, Eric Marx of Lanyon and former camp board member Chuck Johnson of Fort Dodge - expressed their anticipation of using the facility. They also said it was important for ministers to follow the example of Jesus and be sure to take retreat time.

David Benedict, the associate superintendent of the Midwest Conference, dedicated the cabin. He shared how spending time at such a cabin helped him through a challenging time in his pastoral ministry.

Following a contest, the cabin has been given the name Haven 23, says Twin Lakes program director David Wenell. Haven captures the purpose of the cabin, while 23 refers to Psalm 23.

The cabin was donated to the camp and placed upon a new basement foundation at Twin Lakes. As much as $20,000 still needs to be raised to complete the renovations to the cabin, says Joel Rude, Twin Lake's executive director.

The celebration took place as Rude prepares to leave later this month for Santa Rosa, California, where he has accepted a call as administrative pastor at Redwood Covenant Church.

Initially, Rude told Redwood Covenant that he wasn't interested in leaving Twin Lakes. The camp has "a lot of God-inspired plans," he says. "There was just too much going on here that I was interested in pursuing."

But Rude eventually felt that God was leading him to leave Twin Lakes, and he is excited about his new position. Rude, who became the camp's executive director in 1991, will finish his ministry at Twin Lakes on July 21. A search process is underway to find a successor.

More information about the solitude cabin and Twin Lakes can be found at www.twinlakescc.com or by calling 712-297-7714.

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