Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is Epworth Forest?
• When was it established?
• What is the mission of
  Epworth Forest?
• Who does Epworth Forest serve?
• Why, if the church membership is declining, should we put our resources into this project?
• If Epworth Forest has historically been so effective in reaching
  youth for Christ, why is this campaign necessary?
• Aren’t there already too many camps?
• How does Epworth Forest benefit the communities it serves?
• What are the current sources of financial support?
• What are current expenditures?
• Who authorized the campaign?
• What are the campaign goals?
• What are the campaign’s funding objectives?
• How will the Epworth Forest Campaign goals be achieved?
• What are the methods of giving?
• Are my gifts tax deductible?
• What benefit will the creation of the new conference provide,
  and what impact will it have on the campaign?
• Who will be overseeing the campaign and the Epworth Forest project?

 

Q.  What is Epworth Forest?

A. A place where youth and adults come to experience Christian
Community and fellowship in a safe and secure environment.

Q.  When was it established?

A. In 1922, on the shores of Lake Webster, the Auditorium and Epworth Hotel were built. There in 1924, the first “Senior High Institute” took place with 1,334 youth in attendance. The Epworth Forest Campus has been the site for many other camping and ministry experiences over the years.

 
Q.  What is the mission of Epworth Forest?

A.  Our camping ministry makes disciples for Jesus Christ by creating short-term communities in which people experience the Christian faith.

 

Q.  Who does Epworth Forest serve?

A. Youth and adults come to Epworth Forest from across the conference,
the state and the region.

Q.  Why, if the church membership is declining, should
we put our resources into this project?

A. We must reach out to the next generation. The Right Here, Right Now, Right Future. Campaign will provide an infrastructure for us to reach 10,000 more youth each year. Impact 2818 already has an effective program. We need to join this program with appropriate facilities to grow our outreach, and by extension, the church.

 
Q.  If Epworth Forest has historically been so effective in
reaching youth for Christ, why is this campaign necessary?

A.  Our facilities are not appropriate for the expectations of those people we want to reach today. To reach the numbers of students we envision, additional housing and common areas must be provided. In addition to the upgrading of facilities, more capacity needs to be created as we move to impact more children and adults throughout the region. We must expand and enhance the ministry that so effectively introduces both children and adults to the unfailing, unconditional love of God.

 

Q.  Aren’t there already too many camps?

A. No. Each of the four camps of North Indiana Conference are age and program specific. Epworth Forest is primary a campus for youth, young adults and adult ministries.

In 2002, Camp Adventure, Pine Creek Camp and Camp Lakewood became one purpose driven, cooperative, camping ministry. This allowed us to form a more effective, relevant and progressive camping ministry that connects young campers and their families to Jesus Christ.

Q.  How does Epworth Forest benefit the communities it serves?

A. The Epworth Forest Camping Ministry successfully reaches youth.

 
Q.  What are the current sources of financial support?

A.  Currently, tuition and fees, church and individual gifts, and a subsidy from
the annual conference support Epworth Forest.

 

Q.  What are current expenditures?

A. Out of an annual operating budget of $1,900,000, 93% is spent on programming expense, 5.6% on marketing and 1.4% on administration.

 
Q.  Who authorized the campaign?

A.  It was authorized by the North Indiana Conference of the UMC and reaffirmed
by the camping ministry’s board of directors.

Q.  What are the campaign goals?

A.  The base goal of the campaign is $10,000,000. In addition, there is a challenge goal of $15,000,000, and a breakthrough goal of $22,000,000.

 

Q.  What are the campaign’s funding objectives?

A.  To accomplish our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ we will construct:

• A Conference Center with an auditorium, dining, and meeting spaces
• Larger space for multipurpose use
• New campus entrance
• Lodges on the waterfront that will provide year-round housing for camp residents
• Relocated beach, boat house, observation tower, sand volleyball and outdoor recreation areas
• Environmental upgrades that will keep Epworth Forest a viable retreat community well into the future
• New and expanded youth and adult programming
• A Maintenance Endowment to guarantee quality facilities for the future

 

Q.  How will the Epworth Forest Campaign goals be achieved?

A.  These goals will be achieved through a series of campaigns involving the Epworth Forest Board of Directors and staff, individual friends, churches, corporations and foundations.

 

Q.  What are the methods of giving?

A.  The following are acceptable methods of giving to the campaign.

• Cash gifts
• Marketable stock or securities
• Closely held securities
• Real estate
• Gift annuities including traditional, flexible and deferred
• Charitable remainder unitrusts
• Life insurance
• Corporate matching gifts

 

Q.  Are my gifts tax deductible?

A.  Yes! Gifts to Epworth Forest are fully tax deductible for income
and estate tax purposes.

 

Q.  What benefit will the creation of the new conference provide, and what impact will it have on the campaign?

A.  The creation of a new conference from the North and South Indiana conferences represents a unique opportunity for our camping ministry. This unification will allow camp decisions to be made more strategically, having greater impact on the children and youth of Indiana.

 

Q.  Who will be overseeing the campaign and the
Epworth Forest project?

A.  The Outdoor Ministry Resource Team Executive Committee, made up of key clergy and lay leaders from throughout the conference, will provide governance and oversight. They will ensure the completion of the project in accordance with the campaign case statement under the direction of the Annual Conference.