Boy do I need to get better at this!!! I realize that I have not been really good at writing my thoughts here. That can mean one of two things...either I don't think enough or I have got to stop forgetting to log on and write. If you asked me if I like to write I would probably say no, but the truth is I do find it relaxing. I wonder if the writers of scripture ever felt that way. I wonder if they felt the peace of God when they wrote...I wonder if they ever got tired of writing or did they get so into what they were communicating that they couldn't stop? I think that they might have. When I get the chance to preach I could go all day. I try not to because I'm sure that whoever I'm talking to would get tired of me. I just get so excited when I've studied God's word that I want to tell someone about it. God is so good that way. Recently, I have started looking for a position as a youth or senior pastor. I know what you're thinking...why youth or senior pastor, shouldn't you focus on one or the other? Well here is my dilema. I am really into teaching God's word. I love to preach and share what God has laid on my heart. I would love to be a senior pastor, but I also love being with youth. The only problem is that in today's society I have found that youth groups are more about fun than they are about helping teens learn the word of God. I want to raise up the next generation of Christ followers. I want the blessing of seeing young people leaving behind the mediocrity that this world offers and dedicating their lives to the freedom of serving Christ.

Changes

For those of you that have not heard. I(Jon) made the decision to step down as Director of SCA Eagle Bay Minstry Center and Camp this last week. The decision was due to our lack of support and the lack of general support at the center. I am sticking around as a part time site advisor helping Chad (the new director)to keep the ministry going. This was s tough decision for me as it makes the future a little more uncertain and is quite humbling. But fear not, this is not a self-pity post. I am confident that God is in control and is guiding everything. Times like these definitely drive me to search deeper into the word to find his will. I think of Proverbs 14 especially verses 8 and 15 and I pray that as future plans are made that I follow the prudent man and give thought to my steps. I also ask that you pray for wisdom for Nikki and I as we think about the future.

Summer is Coming!!!

It is always exciting when we gear up for camp. The vision for the future is also exciting. As we change our written format and goals to more accurately communicate our physical goals we pray that we are able to discern God’s will and follow where Christ leads. As director of SCA Eagle Bay Ministry Centre and Camp I have the joy of leading teams and staff this summer whose goal is to spread the Word of God. This summer we are using the theme “Army of the Alpha and Omega” this is a military based theme. We will be playing games and decorating the camp with this theme. The reason for changing themes form year to year is to change the feel of camp from summer to summer. I don’t want camp to get static for the campers who come from year to year. As we endeavor to preach the gospel to campers that come to SCA Eagle Bay I ask that you will pray for us and for the hearts of the kids coming. Pray that their hearts are softened to their need of a savior. Pray also for the staff members that are coming to camp….pray that they will be strong in the Word of God and that they will prepare their hearts to serve children. The most important though is to pray that they look to the Lord for their strength for the summer. You can also pray for Chad and I as we are doing prep work for camp. Please praise the Lord for my wife Nikki as she has taken on the role of marketing director and is handling a lot of busy work that Chad and I would have done. Praise also for my in-laws who are coming out for three weeks to volunteer. Their experience and expertise will be a great asset for Eagle Bay.

My thoughts today.

To my friends and family who read this,
I want to share my heart with you about raising our support. This is a very difficult and humbling process...at times discouraging. The last thing I want is for our focus to be all about the "finances". My heart is so passionate for camp, passionate for the kids that come to youth group and passionate for the endless possibilities of ministry that our camp facilities could provide. Every day that we have to put all of our focus and energy into raising our support, is a day that I could have spent builiding relationships with the people in this community.
Camp has gone through many heart aches in the past few years, but the needs in the community are still the same....the kids around here need to hear about Jesus. Camp above all, facilitates that. Without a doubt, God called us here, but we desperately and urgently need your help. Once again, thanks to all of you who have heard this and helped. We are grateful to you.

Dear Friends and Family

In just a few short months, Nikki and I will have been serving at SCA Eagle Bay for two full years. To date, we have raised 38% of my salary. Nikki has also been working for the mission by doing marketing, letter writing, and coordinating the weekly youth meeting run by Eagle Bay. This has taken up at least ten hours of her week on top of what she does at home. At present she has taken no salary for her work. Our goal is to raise $3500 per month to cover Jon's salary and so that we can provide Nikki compensation for all of her work. I am asking that you would prayerfully consider supporting us and the Lord's work by donating $20 per month. If that is too steep for you even $10 a month would be a blessing.
You can donate online by going to To CanadaHelps http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s9912
When you donate you will receive a tax deductable receipt. The receipts are good in the US as well as Canada. Just make sure you remember to mark your donation for Jon and Nicole Welch. Thanks and God bless.


Jon

Welch New Year’s Update

The Fruit
It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.' Ezekiel 17:7-9

• Praises to God for blessing us with 17 interns from Timber-Lee Christian Center, East Troy, WI who generously gave their time to leading Winter Camp!
• Praises to God for the generous support from new congregations!
• Praises to God for our local community who amaze us with their incredible love and generosity. You are an invaluable part of our camp family.
• Praises to God for a growing, vibrant Youth Program. Every Friday night we average 20-25 youth from all over our area!

The Family
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6: 9-11

• We are grateful for Pastor Mike and his family taking the position of Senior Pastor at Moosehorn Baptist Church.
• Thankful for the opportunity for Jon to cover Sunday morning sermons since September. It was a great experience, but happy to put those hours back with the family!
• The collaboration of some talented friends to create a dynamic and contemporary worship team for church!
• Thankful that Meaghan’s 2nd/1st grade class encouraged prayer at lunch (in a public school!)

The Future
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-19

• We pray and seek God’s will as we look to expand the ministry opportunities to reach not only campers, but the entire family. We pray that we might use camp as a way to train and disciple families in their walk with Christ.
• We pray for dynamic youth that seek to serve at camp this summer.
• We pray that we fill each camp bed, knowing that each bed filled is one more child that hears God’s word!
• Pray for full-time staff that has a passion for souls and the ministry of Eagle Bay!

Happy New Year
“Glory to God in the Highest,
And on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest” Luke 2:14

A Fruitful Fall

I can't believe that summer has come and gone! It was an amazing 6 weeks of camp for our family. The best to date! This year I was able to serve as camp nurse, giving me hands on experience with the ministry of Eagle Bay. I have fallen passionately in love for the work here that we have been called to do. It is an amazing and exciting ministry, with many obstacles and huge blessings! Being able to build a deep relationship with the staff and campers was incredible. I loved all those great teens that served with us this summer and the amazing kids that came to camp. We were so thankful to see campers having an amazing "camp" experience but most importantly to see many of them put their trust in Christ. We are blessed to have such an incredible job!
On another note, Jon and I have huge responsibilities when it comes to raising funds for camp. It sometimes can be challenging and discouraging. We face fear at times that without enough support that we would eventually loose this incredible opportunity to serve the kids in the interlake. We are driven to pray feverently and our dependance on Christ is often tested through these times. We are however encouraged that many of our friends and family members have committed monthly to the support of the camp and our family. We are so grateful to all of you who have made this ministry a priority in your own lives. Your gifts are so very appreciated and we are so very thankful to all of you.
As I write, Jon is off to British Columbua. He just finished driving 20 hours alone and I just heard of his safe arrival. Please pray that he gains knowledge and wisdom as he attends the conference, that he enjoys some time of rest and that he will return home safely on friday. Pray for Aaron and Thesalee as they run camp this week.