HUMP#024: Nick Yarde - ?The Power and Impact of Camping and Retreat Ministry in Indiana?

HUMP#024: Nick Yarde - “The Power and Impact of Camping and Retreat Ministry in Indiana” The mission of the Hoosier United Methodist Podcast is strengthening the connection in the United Methodist Church in Indiana to achieve the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. In Episode 024 of the Hoosier United Methodist Podcast Dr. Brad Miller interviews Nick Yarde the Associate Director of Discipleship Development, Camping and Retreat Ministries for the Indiana Conference. A Purdue University graduate in Outdoor Recreation Nick Yarde has been involved in virtually every aspect of outdoor ministry in Indiana serving as camp manager at three Indiana Conference camp sites before settling into his current role of discipleship development. An enthusiastic advocate for the power of camping ministry to faith development in children and youth Nick speaks with passion about how 95% of people come to Christ as youth, many at church camp and retreat experiences. Nick talks about the changing nature of camping and retreat ministry much of it driven by school systems moving to year-round schedules and the multitude of activities available to young people. This means that the church camp experience has to move from a summer focused to a year-round focus. The need for a year-round outdoor ministries challenges the physical facilities at all our Indiana campsites which were geared towards summer ministry. Nick has been working closely with Bishop Coyner on a major campaign to build a new discipleship center at Epworth Forest and building a new lake at Camp-Indi-Co-So. Enjoy Episode 024 of the Hoosier United Methodist Podcast which brings insight into one of the most impactful ministries in the Indiana Conference which has proven to powerfully fulfill the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.