Chris was a summer staff member in 2006 and has been actively involved in Pioneer's ministry every since.  His servant heart, creativity, experience, and education will be well utilized here.  Please join us in welcoming Chris to our Pioneer family.  Here is a brief bio: 

Chris was born Christopher Marcus Waddy in Cleveland, OH on February 10th 1986.  It was not until high school when he became seriously interested in serving The Lord as a career.  He played several sports while attending high school of which his favorite was football.  He received numerous scholarships to play football for such schools as The Ohio State University and The University of Cincinnati but opted out of all athletic scholarships and attended Concordia University Ann Arbor, Mi. to pursue a career in the ministry.  There he discovered a love for Ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek and chose Biblical Languages to be his major.  He was the Hebrew tutor for three years and professor's aid for one.  During the summer of 2006 God called him to Pioneer as a summer staff counselor.  He was unsure of such a position seeing as he was kid from the city who had only been camping once, but God had a plan for Pioneer that summer and Chris was a part of it.  He found a new love for outdoors ministry especially concerning the Papyrus program at Pioneer.  God spoke to Chris' heart and he returned year after year even if it was to volunteer for just a few weeks.  Chris graduated in May 2008 as a pre seminary student.  He went back to Cleveland and worked for Best Buy for two years before taking the call to Pioneer once again this time as the Program Associate.  Chris still has hopes of going to seminary when God calls him there.  He feels honored to be a part of the ministry of Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center.

It's hard to believe that we have completed another fantastic summer camp season! As I reflect on summer camp, I am always amazed at how God uses this place in extraordinary ways and continually raises up leaders to support the summer program.  We are so blessed by God with the gifts and energies of so many people - incredible people who were instrumental in carrying out summer ministry -- who served as counselors, lifeguards, nurses, lawn mowers, bible study leaders, musicians, administrators, program leaders, food preparers and servers, grounds keepers, housekeepers, craft leaders, work project leaders, Country Store volunteers, Confirmand leaders, PAVS Board members, VBS leaders, Servant Event leaders, Pioneer Board Members, Drama leaders, Summerfest volunteers, Gate Greeters, and Sunday Worship Leaders...Whew!

Thank you for the vital role you had, and I pray you will continue to have, in the life of the Church and of Pioneer.  Please know that you are all extraordinary blessings to the hundreds who participated this summer, and the thousands who come year round!  Thanks be to God for each and very one of you!

Who would believe that another summer has come to a close here at Pioneer?  What an amazing opportunity each summer is to show the face of Jesus to every person we come into contact with!  This summer was exactly that - a chance for God to work through his people here at Pioneer.  As we look back over the summer of 2010 we give thanks to God for his great gifts. 

Every summer there are things that stand out and this summer was no different. Here are just a few of those things:

One of those was the chance to bring a whole new group of summer staff members to serve at Pioneer this summer.  We had incredibly focused, faith-filled, and fun counselors who came with lots of new songs, games, and activities to share.  They also came with a great willingness to learn and grow as leaders and servants in God's kingdom.  We are so thankful for them and to them for all of their hard work this summer.  We also give thanks for all of those who continued to lift them in prayer all summer!

We were so excited to again serve as host for the Operation Purple Camp® program.  We had a great experience with each of these kids.  They were reminded that "Kids Serve Too!" a message we need to remember each day too!   The week kicked off with an incedible Summerfest celebration and continued with visits from military personnel and vehicles, help and healing dogs, a beach party, tons of games and activities, crafts, outdoor education pieces including building birdhouses, sleepouts, and so much  more. We were excited to have the opportunity to even add a special week of Take a Break Camp to serve some of those children who missed out on the Operation Purple Camp® program. What a great opportunity to serve these kids and families and to give thanks to God for the freedoms that we have in our country.

The Youth Volunteer Leadership (YVL) program got off to a phenomenal start!  We had 14 teenagers spend time at Pioneer this summer in volunteer and leadership building roles!  What a blessing to have each of them as they shared their time and talents with campers and with each other this summer. God definetly used them to touch the lives of campers and staff members this summer. Many are looking forward to the opportunity to do it again next year and some are hoping this will help them to grow into future summer staff members at Pioneer!  

So many stand out moments, but here are just a couple more: 
almost 40 teens for Extreme Teen Camp
      seeing so many returning Agape Campers
sharing of so much talent during Music Week
      incredible servants both onsite and off
willing volunteers to help in all areas
      beautiful weather for enjoying God's creation
faith building happening everyday
      an Agape camper being baptized in the Chapel of the Woods
people renewed and reenergized to continue serving God in their own lives everyday

As we start wrapping up all that summer 2010 has held and start looking forward to how God will continue to use us and bless this place in 2011 I leave you with these words from our summer theme:

"Come, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Keep fishing my friends!  God is continuing this summer's work through each of us!

The staff this summer was great!  I witnessed a heart of willingness in all the counselors. This staff brought newness to Pioneer filled with creativity and laughter.  It was awesome seeing the camper's faces during the week as they inquired more about God.  It was personally a blessing working with the Papyrus Program where I could share with the campers that we all have a Heavenly Father who loves and cares for each one of us intimately.  God was truly working Pioneer this summer! Children who never prayed before prayed aloud with the groups.  Children who never sang camp songs or church songs were shouting them from the top of their lungs by the end of the week.  God is such a Gracious God!  As I sit back and reflect on the summer I see that God looked at Pioneer and said "watch how I make a marvel of my people."  As much as I try to prepare for the incredible; God again shows me how spontaneous and perfect He is through yet another Spirit filled summer season! Thanks and praise be to God!"

As the summer camping season comes to an end for another year, it is important to reflect back for a bit (as the business continues) to be sure we haven't missed out on what God had done in our midst during the hectic summer season.  Upon reflection we can often see God's hand in so many areas and instances, and gives us the opportunity now to recognize that and give thanks to He who provides so much!

 This past summer we saw God's hand move in...

 The Waterfront:  We had on staff some very capable area lifeguards who were skilled, hard working and dependable, and they helped keep the beach a fun and safe place to enjoy for all our campers and guests.  This year we had an abundance of sand for the beach, sand that had been washed away by storms the year before.   We were blessed with few beach closures due to the water quality problems that plague so many nearby beaches, and we thank God for all these things!   

 Our one disappointment is that we did not have available licensed staff (NYS boating licensed) to launch and drive the pontoon boat this summer.  Looking ahead to next summer, we are asking for adult volunteers, especially during family camp sessions, who might be willing to help in that role so that the pontoon boat would be used and enjoyed by our guests!

 Food Service:  We never take for granted our experienced, well trained, and well led kitchen staff, who have consistently provided top quality meals for all, whatever the size and makeup of the guests.  Pioneer has been blessed to have the same staff intact for the last few years under the direction of Ryan Gage, and this consistency has been obvious to anyone who has had a meal here lately.  Kudos to the kitchen staff!

 Facilities:   The daunting task of maintaining a huge outdoor (and indoor) facility like Pioneer continues to fall on Mike Kinsella, who not only oversees the maintenance of the grounds but also makes repairs when necessary and directs the efforts of our wonderful Service Weekend and Servant Event groups.  This past spring and summer those groups were busy with much needed work projects, and for the second straight year we were joined by student volunteers from the Chautauqua Works program.  These young folks helped to maintain the grounds on a daily basis, and they truly were a blessing from God.

 Country Store:  Such a vital part of Pioneer's summer ministry, the store was managed this summer by our Workkamper Volunteers, Tom and JoAnne Skinner.  Tom had been battling cancer prior to their arrival but was in good enough health to be able to join our team this summer.  We thank God for sending them to us; for their servant hearts, dedication and hard work in serving our guests so well.  Please lift Tom and JoAnn up in your prayers as they travel back home to Florida.  

Broken glass, boarded up windows, abandoned buildings and lots of latchkey kids are found on the East side of Buffalo.  Also found there is a beacon of hope, a welcoming place, a community outreach center where the Gospel is shared and lived out at Hananiah Lutheran Church. People just need to know Hananiah is there.  That's how an LCMS Servant Event helped out.    

 

Forty-five people from Redeemer, Kokomo, IN, St. Peters, Conover, NC, First Lutheran, Rice Lake, WI, St. Paul, Milllington, MI, and Pioneer Camp, Angola, NY launched Seizing the City for Christ, an LCMS Servant event July 25 - 30.  Servants went door to door in the East side of Buffalo finding, inviting and bringing  children to a Vacation Bible School at Hananiah.

The cheer went up as four servants returned from canvassing the neighborhood with a throng of 10 children, ages 2 ½ - 15.  Can you picture it?  Ten children of different ages and sizes walking hand-in-hand, some being carried, some skipping along, and moving toward Hananiah Lutheran Church with four servants from North Carolina!  It was truly a picture of the Holy Spirit at work.  Throughout the week, 72 children were served in an all-day Vacation Bible School in their neighborhood.  The Servants led bible studies, songs, devotions, games, and crafts and connected personally with the youth attending the VBS  

 

That's what Seizing the City for Christ is all about.  It's about reaching out into the community and sharing the love of Christ in a real way and making an eternal difference.  That's what LCMS Servant Events are all about!  They make an incredible ministry impact that is multi-layered, ongoing, and life-changing, and those who give, get back much more in return! 

 

The week-long Servant Event culminated with a picnic lunch served on the sidewalk to all those who lived in the neighborhood.  Over 160 lunches were provided. The people on the East side of Buffalo now know where Hananiah Lutheran Church - and that it is a place of hope, refuge, and light.  Praise be to God!

Are you a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans? If so, you've probably heard about their Thrivent Choice program for some time now.

Thrivent Choice is your opportunity to direct some of Thrivent's charitable dollars to places like Pioneer Camp. Last year alone, Thrivent Financial provided more than $100 million to support congregations, communities and organizations like ours!

It's time for you to designate your Thrivent Choice dollars! To direct funds to Pioneer Camp go to their website or call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and state "Thrivent Choice".

Thanks for designating Pioneer Camp as your Thrivent Choice!

Our Golden Agers Retreat will be held September 20-23, 2010. 

This program will be led by Rev. Ron Ginter as we explore our theme "What are you doing here?"  That was the question some of the self-righteous religious leaders asked when they saw Jesus "eating and drinking with sinners." (Matthew 9:13) That's also the question we will be asking of people like: Jonah, Daniel, David, Noah, Paul, Peter etc. and of ourselves in similar situations.  Call our office today to receive the brochure or to register!  We look forward to serving you!

 

Our Jr. & Sr. High Retreat will be October 22-24, 2010.  This year's Bible Study Leader will be Rev. Nate Hartke from St. John's, Orchard Park.  Join us for Pioneer's classic activities like...devotions, campfires, games, activities, serve projects, friends, fun, and fellowship!  Call our office to get your youth group registered today!

The Buffalo Yacht Club, 1 Porter Ave, Buffalo

$35 per person

Call our office purchase your tickets today!

 

First Trinity Lutheran Church, 157 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda

4:00pm and 7:00pm