| With an extensive park system and a host of recreational opportunities, Kentucky is a popular vacation destination. Resort-Leisure Ministries connect Kentucky Baptists with outreach opportunities at state parks, campgrounds, racetracks, airports, resort communities, sport venues and more! |
| A message from Mike Watts, resort-leisure ministry consultant |
Resort-leisure ministry is one of the fastest growing mission opportunities in America. Our nation is a veritable gold mine of enjoyment, discovery, and relaxation. Every state vies for the multitudes who seek to enjoy the nature and beauty of God’s creation and the development and projects of human development. National forests and improved waterways call for exploration and enjoyment of the senses and the natural environment. People are many times tied into a leisure ethic. They work and strive to achieve but they want the reward of fun and enjoyment. They want to participate in the beauty of God’s creation and to share that with their family and friends. They want to unwind, to play, and to search for release and relaxation.
Everywhere people go to enjoy, they are still in a greater need of fulfillment; which is only accomplished and realized by a relationship with the Lord. Believers reach out to them in the hope of elevating their fulfillment, not depleting it. Jesus after all is the hope, the way, the truth, the joy, the fulfillment, the answer, the glory. He is worthy to be shared with everyone.
| State Parks and Recreation Areas |
 Part of the wonderful legacy of missions for Kentucky Baptists is the amazing number of opportunities we have. We are truly blessed with numerous churches and missions which minister to the multitudes within our borders. We are also a state blessed with many resources of recreation and sport. Early settlers related that the Indians called it a happy hunting ground. Today multitudes call it a happy playground. Our lakes, waterways, woodlands, mountains, plains, wildlife, and diverse beauty make it a treasure trove of God’s beauty.
Consider the 18.6 million who visit each year and the countless number of residents who avail themselves of the abundance of recreation and leisure pursuits. God has truly blessed us with a mission field. We have seventeen state resort parks and twenty-two state recreational parks. There are also ten historical sites and one interstate park. Thirty-three of these have campgrounds with more than 2500 campsites available. Several offer horseback trails and almost thirty offer hiking trails. These are great places to visit and enjoy. However, there is another exciting opportunity available and that is one of service and ministry. Our state park system allows folks to volunteer services and to provide support for our parks. We are able to be campground hosts, trail maintenance workers, guides, nature interpreters, and support persons. Churches are able to present music, drama, and programs. Each year state park managers consider needs and volunteers who can meet those needs. If you are interested just contact me and I will give you information on how to proceed.
There are many ways to reach the multitudes at leisure. Chaplains minister to the backsiders at the race tracks (horse) and they ready themselves for service to the jockeys, trainers, handlers, and owners as well as the fans who fill the stands. They provide ESL (English second language) for our guests from other nations. The supervise church ministry through clothes closets, food banks, meals, clinical treatment, special celebrations, vocational teaching, disaster counseling, etc.
They provide ministry and ministers to all.
As you near the entrance of the airport and prepare yourself to board your flight, you are perhaps not aware that there are persons within the facility who are prepared to minister to you in case of need or trouble. Volunteers at the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport are on call at all hours to provide support and care for travelers and workers and air personnel in times of distress. Laity and clergy provide worship services and spiritual guidance for all who frequent the airport volunteers are always needed and training is provided for those who wish to serve.
The roar of engines and the whine of the tires alert us to the sounds of motor raceways. Within the borders of Kentucky are 37 racetracks. These tracks range from Nascar to junk car, but people flock to see them run! There are paved ovals and dirt base, but they all have the crowds, which cheer on their favorites. At seven of these tracks there are laypeople and clergy who provide spiritual guidance, worship, and care for the fans and the race personnel. Raceway fans by the thousands come and faithful believers are there to get them excited about the one who can help them win the race of life and to cross the finish line into heaven. They share about the ultimate victory and the prize of eternal life.
| Condos and Gated Communities |
Every weekend during the summer, people rise early to visit campgrounds and resort areas, and gated communities to share with the multitudes as Jesus did by the Sea of Galilee. Some provide bottled water; all provide a genuine concern for the lives of the campers. They care and they are there to share about Jesus. Some groups provide music concerts, Bible study, VBS, etc. One church provided bottled water with the plan of salvation on each bottle in order to remind of who is the Living water.
There is a growing presence of gated/condo communities within our state as well as in America. These facilities project an aura of restriction, but they are still a community, which has the same needs as an open subdivision. Oftentimes they are open to the witness of Christ and faithful believers are able to minister within the gate. Phil and Marie Bruce serve as mission volunteers within such a facility. They own their home and they have services every Sunday and minister to the community each day. Several have come to Christ and God is at work in that community. Another facility near Lake Cumberland allows pastors and laypeople to provide worship services each week. In fact, the owners provided an amphitheater for the services.
There are many leisure opportunities to serve in. There are horse (Equestrian) groups and activities, motorcycle clubs and rides, fairs and festivals, truck stops, motor home communities, and more.
Anywhere people are, there is an opportunity to witness for Christ. I am available to help you in any way I can. That includes meeting with you and your church. I can share information with you. I can help you get in touch with mission opportunities or to help you contact the proper volunteer resources. We can plan an action course for ministry. Whatever God leads you to do, simply make yourself available and open to His direction. Contact me today:
Mike Watts
Phone: 606-387-0902
E-Mail: mikewatts12@alltel.net
God bless you as you allow Him to lead you to service in Resort-Leisure Ministry! |
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