December 2020
Greetings From Lake Swan Camp With THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE!
“For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.” I Kings 17:16. Just as God supplied the flour and oil, God has supplied operational and fundraising income for the camp during these difficult times. Following are some praises and requests for your prayer support.
PRAISES 2020:
PRAY FOR:
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
In Christ,
Perry & Toni Rollins
Perry Rollins- Executive Director of Lake Swan Camp
“For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.” I Kings 17:16. Just as God supplied the flour and oil, God has supplied operational and fundraising income for the camp during these difficult times. Following are some praises and requests for your prayer support.
PRAISES 2020:
- For overwhelming prayer support
- 250 prayed to receive Christ, rededicated their lives to Him, or were baptized
- 2,678 guests served
- 59 groups served
- More than $172,000 in donations toward a matching grant of $85,500 from the PPP “Loan”
- More than 80 wonderful donors "champions". Thank you!!!!
- All bills paid in spite of 68% lower operational income
- New metal roof for bathhouse
- New flag poles
- No COVID-19 cases contracted at the camp to our knowledge
- Healthy and versatile staff
- New walk-in refrigerator and freezer!
- Substantially completed Minder Makeover, investing almost $700K in the project. ($80K from excess operational income and 620K from donations)
PRAY FOR:
- Continued harvest
- Continued direction for outreach for the camp
- Return to a more normal camp schedule
- Protection for our guests and staff
- Provision of new staff in God’s timing
- Continued financial provision
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
In Christ,
Perry & Toni Rollins
Perry Rollins- Executive Director of Lake Swan Camp
54 people were Baptized in Lake Rosa this year! 196 Salvations or rededications for 2020 at Lake Swan Camp!
New metal roof for bathhouse! Our new walk-in refrigerator and freezer! Crossroads Canoeing Convocation!
May 2020
GREETINGS FROM LAKE SWAN CAMP!
PTL Our staff, after a six week furlough, started back to work on Wednesday, May 13. We were blessed to receive the PPP loan and, with it, will be able to fund payroll for at least 8 weeks. We are busy getting the camp back in shape.
Our Board has wisely voted to treat the PPP loan as a matching grant. That means we will only use the loan as we have donations to match it. At the end of the 8 weeks, we will be able to pay the loan back if the forgiveness provisions of the loan are changed by the government. If we are safely able to accept the provisions of the forgiveness, we will have funds to help us with the loss of revenue.
We are $57k below last years income to date. All of our large summer groups have canceled, which is understandable. The cancellations represented at least 335K of lost potential revenue.
We have been in a dispute with our worker’s comp carrier since December over an unfavorable audit that resulted in $15K additional premium (136% additional premium). They changed the payroll classifications they have been using since 2014. We have finally found someone in the company that is sympathetic to our dispute. Please pray that we will be able to get it resolved with little or no additional premium.
We had a family camp Memorial Day weekend and it went really well. We have several small June and July groups that will provide some operational income.
We look to the Lord to supply for His work at the camp not to government or even to people. Our version of the PPP is “Praying for Providential Provision.” We are trusting the Lord for $100K over the next eight weeks. Please pray with us for His supply.
We want prayer for the camp first and foremost. We are not just saying that. We really mean it! We want to reach out to more people with the vision of the camp. We are issuing a challenge for each of you to send us contact information for 10 additional people that you will challenge to get involved in the camp's ministry. We would love to have their names and email addresses so that we can send them updates on the camp. We promise not to beg for money. We simply share the vision and ask the Lord to move in hearts to provide.
We are so thankful for you, our generous champions, and your prayer and support over the years. Thank you!
In Him,
Perry and Toni
PTL Our staff, after a six week furlough, started back to work on Wednesday, May 13. We were blessed to receive the PPP loan and, with it, will be able to fund payroll for at least 8 weeks. We are busy getting the camp back in shape.
Our Board has wisely voted to treat the PPP loan as a matching grant. That means we will only use the loan as we have donations to match it. At the end of the 8 weeks, we will be able to pay the loan back if the forgiveness provisions of the loan are changed by the government. If we are safely able to accept the provisions of the forgiveness, we will have funds to help us with the loss of revenue.
We are $57k below last years income to date. All of our large summer groups have canceled, which is understandable. The cancellations represented at least 335K of lost potential revenue.
We have been in a dispute with our worker’s comp carrier since December over an unfavorable audit that resulted in $15K additional premium (136% additional premium). They changed the payroll classifications they have been using since 2014. We have finally found someone in the company that is sympathetic to our dispute. Please pray that we will be able to get it resolved with little or no additional premium.
We had a family camp Memorial Day weekend and it went really well. We have several small June and July groups that will provide some operational income.
We look to the Lord to supply for His work at the camp not to government or even to people. Our version of the PPP is “Praying for Providential Provision.” We are trusting the Lord for $100K over the next eight weeks. Please pray with us for His supply.
We want prayer for the camp first and foremost. We are not just saying that. We really mean it! We want to reach out to more people with the vision of the camp. We are issuing a challenge for each of you to send us contact information for 10 additional people that you will challenge to get involved in the camp's ministry. We would love to have their names and email addresses so that we can send them updates on the camp. We promise not to beg for money. We simply share the vision and ask the Lord to move in hearts to provide.
We are so thankful for you, our generous champions, and your prayer and support over the years. Thank you!
In Him,
Perry and Toni
The new carport we added for shade at Lake Rosa.
March 2020
Dear Friends of Lake Swan Camp,
We pray you are well and hunkered down as we strive to comply with our government’s directives to lessen the spread of the Coronavirus. Knowing the directives from our government are for our personal safety and for that of our campers, we realize that all are plowing new ground with this virus, and most are learning as we go. I did not take the virus seriously until Toni, my wife, (who was a nurse), showed me overwhelming evidence for being proactive. Hence, the Board, Toni and I want to keep our Prayer Partners up-to-date concerning the effects of the virus on the Camp, so you can pray and support accordingly as our Lord leads.
CORONAVIRUS EFFECTS: Simply put, when there are no campers, there is little income. Thus far, we have had several groups cancel and we chose to cancel our Community Lunch last Sunday. We will work with the groups scheduled for the rest of March and April to reschedule their retreats when it is safe to do so. As you can see, however, we will not have that anticipated income until later in the year, assuming we can reschedule. We are in touch with the scheduled summer groups answering their questions and "what if's." We’re basically asking them to wait a few weeks before thinking about canceling. Lord willing, we will have some good news about the virus by then.
We have implemented measures to freeze all unnecessary spending. We do have a small contingency fund that we can use with Board approval but it will not last very long without additional income. For their safety, our staff will be taking the next two weeks off and staying at home until we have a better grasp on the situation with the virus. We will evaluate at the end of that time the best way to proceed.
In times past, the LSC Board has restricted donor income to capital projects (such as Minder Makeover). The unchartered waters of Coronavirus has led the Board to allow solicitation of donations to be used for operational expenses in view of postponement of our retreat groups for the rest of March and April and possibly longer. We need your help, Friends. First of all we solicit your prayers for the staff and the camp. Secondly, we ask that you consider an extra donation, as the Lord leads you, that can be used for operational expenses as we navigate these uncharted waters.
In the midst of all the chaos around us, the Lord has been blessing the camp. Here are a few items of GOOD NEWS we want to share! We have had at least 187 people who have prayed to receive Christ or rededicated their lives to the Lord this year! Beloved, your prayers and generosity have made these decisions happen! We pray you can sense your ownership in this Work of our Lord! Another blessing, as a result of your faithful partnership, is that Minder Makeover is substantially completed with just our dining room floor to receive its final coating! You helped to give over $675K toward the project (over $80K God sent from excess operational income and over $595K He sent through donations). Literally thousands of volunteer hours in this project likely put the value of the project over one-million dollars! Isn't our God wonderful and amazing?
This has been a great volunteer season with over 6500 hours of volunteer labor during January-March. Roving Volunteers In Christ’s Service, Servants on Wheels Ever Ready, Campers on Mission, Journey to the Heart (Prison Ministry), and some independent volunteers have been such a blessing in their labors for the Kingdom.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Thanking you in advance for your prayers and continued support.
In Him,
Perry and Toni and the LSC Board
We pray you are well and hunkered down as we strive to comply with our government’s directives to lessen the spread of the Coronavirus. Knowing the directives from our government are for our personal safety and for that of our campers, we realize that all are plowing new ground with this virus, and most are learning as we go. I did not take the virus seriously until Toni, my wife, (who was a nurse), showed me overwhelming evidence for being proactive. Hence, the Board, Toni and I want to keep our Prayer Partners up-to-date concerning the effects of the virus on the Camp, so you can pray and support accordingly as our Lord leads.
CORONAVIRUS EFFECTS: Simply put, when there are no campers, there is little income. Thus far, we have had several groups cancel and we chose to cancel our Community Lunch last Sunday. We will work with the groups scheduled for the rest of March and April to reschedule their retreats when it is safe to do so. As you can see, however, we will not have that anticipated income until later in the year, assuming we can reschedule. We are in touch with the scheduled summer groups answering their questions and "what if's." We’re basically asking them to wait a few weeks before thinking about canceling. Lord willing, we will have some good news about the virus by then.
We have implemented measures to freeze all unnecessary spending. We do have a small contingency fund that we can use with Board approval but it will not last very long without additional income. For their safety, our staff will be taking the next two weeks off and staying at home until we have a better grasp on the situation with the virus. We will evaluate at the end of that time the best way to proceed.
In times past, the LSC Board has restricted donor income to capital projects (such as Minder Makeover). The unchartered waters of Coronavirus has led the Board to allow solicitation of donations to be used for operational expenses in view of postponement of our retreat groups for the rest of March and April and possibly longer. We need your help, Friends. First of all we solicit your prayers for the staff and the camp. Secondly, we ask that you consider an extra donation, as the Lord leads you, that can be used for operational expenses as we navigate these uncharted waters.
In the midst of all the chaos around us, the Lord has been blessing the camp. Here are a few items of GOOD NEWS we want to share! We have had at least 187 people who have prayed to receive Christ or rededicated their lives to the Lord this year! Beloved, your prayers and generosity have made these decisions happen! We pray you can sense your ownership in this Work of our Lord! Another blessing, as a result of your faithful partnership, is that Minder Makeover is substantially completed with just our dining room floor to receive its final coating! You helped to give over $675K toward the project (over $80K God sent from excess operational income and over $595K He sent through donations). Literally thousands of volunteer hours in this project likely put the value of the project over one-million dollars! Isn't our God wonderful and amazing?
This has been a great volunteer season with over 6500 hours of volunteer labor during January-March. Roving Volunteers In Christ’s Service, Servants on Wheels Ever Ready, Campers on Mission, Journey to the Heart (Prison Ministry), and some independent volunteers have been such a blessing in their labors for the Kingdom.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
- The virus to be under control.
- God's protection for our staff, guests and partners.
- Guidance in how God would use our ministry in these difficult times.
- God to supply the potential shortfall caused by loss of operational income.
- For God to glorify Himself in all these trials by bringing many to Christ through it all.
Thanking you in advance for your prayers and continued support.
In Him,
Perry and Toni and the LSC Board
2019 Year in Review
LSC Newsletter
December 2019
Dear Friends,
As 2019 comes to an end, we are excited about all that God has done here at Lake Swan Camp. Thank you for your prayers and generous donations. The following are some highlights for 2019.
There are many God stories that have occurred this past year. One of our favorites concerns a two-hour fire rated wall that Tim Stanley, our Maintenance/Project Supervisor was working to complete. Tim had a question about the electrical but Perry was unable to answer it; and suggested Tim call James Sampson (one of our fantastic volunteers) to see if he could help.
Perry left and returned a couple of hours later to find James working with Tim. Perry was surprised that James could have arrived so quickly. But Tim had not had a chance to call James. James’ RV was at the camp for him to use when he volunteered. He came to pick up the RV for guests he was entertaining over the weekend. He just “happened” to come at the exact time we needed him. And that’s just the way God works!
Nearing Minder Makeover completion, we plan to focus on smaller projects throughout the campus which we have had to defer during Minder Makeover. We are trusting the Lord to continue to supply the funds for these projects. We are praying for 250 new Dining Room chairs. The old heavy ones we have now may damage our new floor. The new chairs we are looking to purchase are $26 each including shipping. Below is a picture of the ones we will be purchasing. Why not consider buying one or more for the camp and praying with us for God’s supply?
As 2019 comes to an end, we are excited about all that God has done here at Lake Swan Camp. Thank you for your prayers and generous donations. The following are some highlights for 2019.
- Over 820 prayed to receive Christ or rededicated their lives to Him through the camp’s ministries.
- Served over 7,000 people and over 140 groups.
- Over 16,000 volunteer hours.
- The Lord sent over $80,000 in 4 weeks during Operation Jericho when we were asking Him for $77,777.77 in 7 weeks!
- Nearing completion of Minder Makeover with over 8,000 added square feet including:
- Chapel/Dining Room bathrooms
- New carpet in the Fireside Room, painted walls and ceiling
- Resurfacing Dining Room floor, painted walls and ceilings, and added acoustical enhancement.
- Completed Staff Resource Center, foyer, and laundry room
- Installing a 10 x 28 walk in refrigerator/freezer
- Installed new kitchen AC
- Completed renovation of a house given to the camp now used for one of our staff members.
- With the move of our director and his wife to a smaller residence on camp property, we were able to convert the larger staff residence in the office building into a Retreat Center.
- Refurbished golf course in memory of Kyle Gouin.
- Launched a new website (check it out at LakeSwanCamp.org).
There are many God stories that have occurred this past year. One of our favorites concerns a two-hour fire rated wall that Tim Stanley, our Maintenance/Project Supervisor was working to complete. Tim had a question about the electrical but Perry was unable to answer it; and suggested Tim call James Sampson (one of our fantastic volunteers) to see if he could help.
Perry left and returned a couple of hours later to find James working with Tim. Perry was surprised that James could have arrived so quickly. But Tim had not had a chance to call James. James’ RV was at the camp for him to use when he volunteered. He came to pick up the RV for guests he was entertaining over the weekend. He just “happened” to come at the exact time we needed him. And that’s just the way God works!
Nearing Minder Makeover completion, we plan to focus on smaller projects throughout the campus which we have had to defer during Minder Makeover. We are trusting the Lord to continue to supply the funds for these projects. We are praying for 250 new Dining Room chairs. The old heavy ones we have now may damage our new floor. The new chairs we are looking to purchase are $26 each including shipping. Below is a picture of the ones we will be purchasing. Why not consider buying one or more for the camp and praying with us for God’s supply?
We wish you a Merry Christmas and blessings to you and your families in the upcoming year.
In Christ,
Perry & Toni Rollins
Perry Rollins- Executive Director of Lake Swan Camp
We wish you a Merry Christmas and blessings to you and your families in the upcoming year.
In Christ,
Perry & Toni Rollins
Perry Rollins- Executive Director of Lake Swan Camp
Graham Chapel/Dining Room bathrooms.
The Dining Room with the new paint and acoustical panels... The new flooring will be installed by the end of the year!
Prison Ministry meeting on the deck outside of Minder Hall.
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Newly remodeled donated house used for staff residence.
The Fireside Room during The Alliance Pastor's Prayer Conference.
One of the many campers of 2019 studying God's Word.
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Operation Jericho a Success!
LSC Newsletter
May 2019
Dear Ministry Partners,
It is with great joy and thanksgiving that I ask you to rejoice with us that God provided over $80K in donations and pledges toward the $77,777.77 we were asking from Him by May 17. A major part of God’s provision is from the pending sale of a commercial lot in Pensacola that we have had on the market for over three years. Pray that it closes June 20, as scheduled.
We recently received word that our prison ministry partners prayed with 12 inmates to receive Christ and a number more rededicated their lives to the Lord. The total is over 325 who have come to know the Lord through the camp’s ministry this year. Praise God!
Our summer prep is in full swing. Please pray for God’s enabling to complete the following projects by the summer:
-Refurbish miniature golf course -Replace 2 story steps
-Add kitchen/bathroom in Old Chapel -Finish the Popowski house
-Replace kitchen AC -Finish Minder Hall bathrooms
-Complete Minder Hall fire-wall -Tons of maintenance items
Our summer is packed and we are looking to the Lord for a great harvest. Pray that God will work in the hearts of those who will be attending camp this summer. Also, pray for safety, wisdom, strength, and grace for our staff, campers, and guest groups’ staff.
In Christ,
W. Perry Rollins
Executive Director - Lake Swan Camp
It is with great joy and thanksgiving that I ask you to rejoice with us that God provided over $80K in donations and pledges toward the $77,777.77 we were asking from Him by May 17. A major part of God’s provision is from the pending sale of a commercial lot in Pensacola that we have had on the market for over three years. Pray that it closes June 20, as scheduled.
We recently received word that our prison ministry partners prayed with 12 inmates to receive Christ and a number more rededicated their lives to the Lord. The total is over 325 who have come to know the Lord through the camp’s ministry this year. Praise God!
Our summer prep is in full swing. Please pray for God’s enabling to complete the following projects by the summer:
-Refurbish miniature golf course -Replace 2 story steps
-Add kitchen/bathroom in Old Chapel -Finish the Popowski house
-Replace kitchen AC -Finish Minder Hall bathrooms
-Complete Minder Hall fire-wall -Tons of maintenance items
Our summer is packed and we are looking to the Lord for a great harvest. Pray that God will work in the hearts of those who will be attending camp this summer. Also, pray for safety, wisdom, strength, and grace for our staff, campers, and guest groups’ staff.
In Christ,
W. Perry Rollins
Executive Director - Lake Swan Camp
We prepped the putt-putt golf course for a much needed renovation. The work is being done through a generous donation and will be named in memory of Kyle Gouin, a former staff member.
The new water trampoline!
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Poured a pad and set the new condensing unit for the Kitchen AC.
Some of our volunteers graciously laid the tile, painted, and sewed curtains for the new staff resource center.
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