Director’s Update
Last updated 2/16/2026
2026 Winter Update
We welcomed out first “real” winter storm today as campers were departing from our first Combo Winter Camp of the year. This storm is supposed to bring around 3 feet of snow over the next 2-3 days and we’re thankful to have it! While it’s true we’ll be dealing with the challenges that much snow presents – chaining up vehicles, clearing roads and paths, shoveling snow, the assumed-power-outages we’re expecting – it all dims in comparison to the amazing things God is doing here at camp. At our first two winter camps we were thrilled to hear that over 29 campers made first-time decisions for Christ! Another 20 decided they needed to make some changes and committed to living out the faith they already claim. I’ll shovel snow for weeks for even one camper to come to know Jesus, Amen!
Spiritual Growth:
The Franz family welcomed their first child this last month and we’re excited to meet little baby Emmett. The staff continue to meet weekly at Bible study and the Word of God is boldly proclaimed here at camp. Continue to pray for our interns that are completing the 9-month Bible Internship and for our staff as we have one of our staff recovering from a stroke. Praise God that he is nearing a full recovery, with some walking still being worked through!
Major Projects:
The New Dining Hall and Chapel project construction is still ongoing. We’ll see if the snow delays the foundation work at all, initial estimates a few weeks back have us finishing the foundation work in late February and starting to put up the steel supports in early April. Continue to pray for the safety of the crews who are working hard on the job site towards bringing this resource to completion for ministry use! The upcoming phase should run from April through August 2026 and give us the structural steel and roof of the building as we continue to raise funds for the sides and internal portions.
Donation Match: A generous donor is matching all donations received up until May 31, 2026 (up to $250,000 towards this project). Would you prayerfully consider joining in this donation match challenge?
You can donate towards this project by texting the word “Give” to 559-258-1701, mailing in a check, donating online, or giving us a call at 559-337-2349 Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.
Verses to Ponder:
Psalm 40:8-10 (NASB 1995)
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness
In the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You Yourself know.
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
From the great assembly.
We proclaim the good news of what Christ has done here at camp and we cannot help but declare Him to the world!
The Gospel: You’ll note this section doesn’t change with the director letter updates, it’s that important!
If you do not know Christ as your personal Savior, I invite you to learn more by visiting our Gospel Page and getting plugged into a local church. While we love serving you here at Hartland, consistent discipleship happens at your local church (in your city/town) and it makes a huge difference in your walk when you are gathering regularly with other believers. For those continuing in their walks, we also have Bible Resources available to help spur on the study of God’s Word.
Prayer:
Please continue to pray for all those that minister here at Hartland, from the Hartland staff and volunteers to the visiting Pastors and leaders that boldly proclaim Christ’s Word to a world that desperately needs it.
In service to Christ and His Church,
Joshua Embry
Executive Director/Steward/Minister – Hartland Christian Camp
