Praying for Abigail Buckman

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Today one of this year's ESBS students (Abigail Buckman) is undergoing brain surgery to correct a smaller than normal brain stem that has been putting pressure on the lower part of her brain.  The goal of the surgery is to open up the brain stem area enough to allow the brain to properly fit within that space without pinching.

Currently, the pinching on Abigail's brain has been causing all sorts of unusual and worsening symptoms.  Surgery, although invasive, promises immediate relief and the outlook for permanent improvement is strong.

Please pray with us today.  Pray that Abigail's body recovers quickly.  Pray that the brain is protected in  the surgery.  Pray that the relief of symptoms is immediate and permanent.

As she begins the recovery process today we are hopeful that one day she will again join us at the ESBS as a student.

Staff Retreat with IBL Ministries

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I'm excited to be fast approaching the first ever ESBS staff day retreat.  I'm so thankful for the staff that God has given us here.  These folks love God and do their jobs well.  Im hopeful that God will encourage all of us as we meet together for a time of intentional personal, and corporate growth.

We're excited to be spending our upcoming day retreat (this coming Thursday) with Dave Phelan from IBL ministries ("Institute of Biblical Leadership").

www.iblministry.com

IBL ministries is a leadership training ministry that's actually operated right here in Lake Lure (who knew).  Their mission is to "strengthen leaders with the essentials of ministry leadership."  Dave has agreed to come and facilitate a day of discussion and training with our staff.  I'm excited to see where God takes us as we focus on making this program everything that God wants it to be.

If you think about it, pray for our staff as we meet Thursday.  Pray that God would encourage us in our mission, and define it with renewed clarity and vision.

Tom

"Sarah Pay Design" is Awesome...just saying

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this banner is 7 ft tall..

A few months ago we began a focused campaign to get in touch with some resources that will help the school put its best foot forward in front of potential applicants.  As a part of that project Sarah Pay, a Charlotte based graphic designer, and longtime friend of the camp, agreed to do all kinds of cool and free work for the school.  She's cranking out creative stuff left and right and it all looks awesome.  In the past week we've armed ourself with a brand new promo brochure, a promo banner, and new letterhead....uh huh...that's right, I said letterhead.

Thank you Sarah!  And thank you Iman for running point on this and so many other new endeavors.

Check out what Sarah's up to here

As part of our continued development plan we're also looking for someone with video skills to help us with a 3 minute promotional short.  If you're the one, or if you know someone who should be we'd love to talk and make it happen.

Beach Trip

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It's that time of year again...time to once again surprise the students with the beach trip that you'd think any student coming to our school would know all about by now.  We've gone to the same beach, on the same week, for the past 7 years, yet every time students freak out when we break it to them and say that they had no idea it was coming.  This year wasn't any different.  We had an awesome time relaxing, unplugging and being together.  It was great to have Jerry Martin with us, and once again we're so thankful for the use of such awesome condos!

ESBS Development

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Recently it's been clear to me that one of our biggest needs is a focussed development strategy that will help us take the ESBS to the next level in a few key areas:

1)  marketing to recruit new students
2)  fundraising for staff and special projects
3)  increased attention to staff care and personal development
4)  continued development of the on-campus community life

Having the mental space to focus on these goals is in some way a luxury only afforded to a program that is otherwise running smoothly from day to day.  We're there thanks to a great staff.  It's also important to have outside people invested in the program who are able to contribute their own time and skills to move things forward.

Recently we've been blessed with Iman Green, who has agreed to spearhead all of our development projects.  She's currently putting together a team of other volunteers who are taking on specific projects to move the ministry forward in key areas.  Exciting things are already happening:  David and Madison Sargent are putting together an alumni organization, Sarah Pay is working on a new brochure and marketing materials, several church's have scheduled day long seminars and Bible overviews.  I'm hopeful that the roots of the ministry will grow deeper in this season of focussed care.

If you have vision and time to help us move forward with these development goals feel free to contact us and we can talk about specifics.  The ESBS needs your help to become everything God intends it to be.

contact iman green

Tom