NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDGRASS VALLEY, CA

PERMIT NO. 60

Christian Encounter MinistriesPO Box 1022Grass Valley, CA 95945CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Tending Lives…Training Leaders

Christian Encounter MinistriesMarch 2013

Since 1970

Contact us at:www.ChristianEncounter.orgcem@ChristianEncounter.org

530-268-0877

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Christian Encounter Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational, residential program helping 16- to 25-year-olds by providing love, spiritual guidance, high school education, counseling, and 24-hour supervision. Internships are offered to qualifying upper level college students and graduates.

Christian Encounter High School

Graduation and

Spring Celebration

Saturday, June 12:00 p.m.

inAngels’ Meadow

Reception for all follows

CEM’s Anuual

Family CampJune 28-July 1

Theme:“The Body of Christ:

God’s Family”

Concert by CEM’s very own Sophie Parrott

Cost:$50 for the whole family

Register now at:www.ChristianEncounter.org

31st Annual24-hour Agony

Bicycle Ride…A fun, exciting way to help

CEM students!

July 26-27

Sign up now to ride or sag!

www.ChristianEncounter.org

TRAINING LEADERS—CEM’S OTHER MISSION by Mike Petrillo

“Tending Lives” is the opening phrase of Christian Encounter Ministries’ motto. It is the phrase we use to denote the work of rescuing and rebuilding broken lives through the love of Christ. The great joy of seeing Jesus transform those lives would never happen, though, if the second phrase of the motto, “Training Leaders,” were not in place. The CEM Internship program has operated for almost 40 years; it is interns who disciple, encourage, teach, confront, model, and represent daily Jesus’ love and sacrifice to the students who come to be tended. It is as Jesus did with the twelve—walking and talking hour-by-hour, season-by-season, developing a transforming relationship with each one.

Our goal is to replicate discipleship and so expand the influence of CEM far beyond the boundaries of our 86 acres. And so it is that former interns have moved into every area of Christian life, serving God as lay leaders in the local church; missionaries on distant continents; preaching and teaching and counseling; parenting and grand-parenting; filling key positions in business, law, medicine, and non-profit service agencies. Former interns are pillars in the Body of Christ, shining brightly for Him wherever He leads.

Many of these stellar individuals have continued with Christian Encounter Ministries or have returned and are currently serving on staff. During humble hours of internship a strength of character, a depth of faith, an enduring spirit, a sensitivity for the broken-hearted, and a commitment to the Savior were honed. Let me introduce them to you. Tom Kern served his internship in 1978-80, and returned a few years later to serve as principal of our high school. Mark Andrews did a brief internship in 1980, and came back in 2008 to direct the Discipleship and Internship program. Robbin Adams came as an intern in 1980-81, was Office Manager for several years, and is currently an instructor in the high school. Suzanne Hartley leads our Wilderness Program besides teaching full-time alongside Robbin and Tom; she began her stint at CEM with a two-year internship in 1994-96. Our Food Service Director, Jessica Colvin, began in 2000, and following two years of internship, led the Women’s Ministry House for 3 years until taking over the food service position. Alison Guiremand leads the Women’s Ministry House. Her two-year internship in 2001-2003 led to seven years as an Agony rider before joining the staff. Pedro Mauras moved directly into the responsibilities of the Ranch Foreman role after his internship in 2009-10. Nate Boyd was an intern in 2010 and became the initial leader of the Men’s Ministry House and Assistant Director of Discipleship. Sharon MacLean, now our Bookkeeper, was leader of the Women’s Ministry House after her internship in 2010-11. Kayla Babson, also an intern in 2010-11, does double duty, serving part-time with CEM and another Christian ministry for youth.

As a very interested observer, I saw how God called each one to serve. I watched as they sought His guidance, listened for His voice, and answered with devotion and commitment. They came from all over the country, two from Illinois, from Missouri and Massachusetts, one from northern and two from southern California, from Pennsylvania, Washington, and North Carolina. These interns came for training and have grown into powerful ministers, fulfilling the Lord’s purposes in His work. The other staff members of CEM share equally inspiring stories of obedience and faith. Space fails me to mention them and all the others that were brilliant interns and who became dynamic staff members here and in other positions and professions. Simply, the multiplication process works! And well it should. It is Jesus who put it in place, and by His grace directs our steps each day.

Current staff members who started as interns: (Left, front to back) Pedro Mauras, Nate Boyd, Jessica Colvin, Mark Andrews; (Right, front to back) Sharon MacLean, Kayla Babson, Alison Guiremand, Tom Kern; not pictured—Robbin Adams and Suzanne Hartley.