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September 2025 - Volume 25.4
TASTE OF SUMMER '25
What a blessing this Summer was! We were able to host 5,191 campers over the ten weeks of Summer. It's a gift to be able to come alongside children and youth ministries as they challenge campers to love God, commit, grow, and enjoy the fellowship that summer camp uniquely affords.
Finally, Good News from the SBA!
We received our first money from the SBA! It's been four years since the flood and it's been a running joke about how long it has taken, but, honestly, now that the funds are coming in, all is forgiven.
Dining Hall Construction Update
Disclaimer - I know that for the past 3 1/2 years I've released many updates about the construction of our new dining hall that didn't pan out. As a prognosticator, I am below average! But in each case, I spoke based on the most recent meeting with contractors and the Construction Committee, so what you've seen is a dream in process. One of the pitfalls of transparency is the difficulty to separate the vision from the news...at least for me.
So dare I share my most current news for you to do with as you will? Our Construction Committee is thinking it will be possible for us to break ground in October 2025. October is not a set date, but it should at least represent the progress currently being made in the prep work. Anything could delay us, but you now know my most current expectation.
Finley Knowles, Executive Director, CGC
Gary Rhodes' Retirement
Director of Facility Stewardship
February 7, 2019 through October 4, 2025
We welcomed Gary Rhodes to the CGC staff in February 2019, and now we say "see you later" as Gary prepares for retirement. Gary's first day or work was THE DAY we experienced the flood in 2019. Gary and Joy dropped their U-Haul truck off at their soon to be new home and drove into Dickson for dinner. While they were out, the storm hit. They couldn't get back to campus, and when they did, their truck had been tossed around by the creek current. Most everything was lost. Gary has been central to the task of returning our campus to pre-flood conditions.
Money Tree Celebration
Gary's staff and friends are celebrating with Gary and his wife Joy on Sunday night, September 28. It seems appropriate to celebrate with a Money Tree as a tangible way to support them in their retirement. You can mail your gift to Finley Knowles, 700 Sam Hollow Rd, Dickson, TN, and we will present Gary and Joy with the tree at his party.
TBAM Is More Important than Ever Before
The Ten Bucks a Month Club (TBAM) is an important part of affording the new Dining Hall. It is the plan for servicing the debt incurred in the construction of the dining hall. We will have a $500K mortgage on a $2M building.
If you have waited join in the support of the new Dining Hall, today is a great time to jump in.
Learn more about TBAM
Donations Made Simple
- Mail a check to Camp Garner Creek, 700 Sam Hollow Rd, Dickson, TN 37055.
- Give instantly online by clicking HERE.
If you don't wish to give online, you may also participate by mailing a check for $120 annually.
for Prayer and Reflection
Pray for the Group Leaders who have planned for months for these events. May God's Spirit move freely among the participants!
Groups for August - October, 2025
8/15/2025 Sacred Heart
8/21/2025 DAC retreat
8/22/2025 Hispanic Family Camp
8/29/2025 St Luke's Catholic
8/29/2025 Asocion de Caballeros
9/5/2025 Retrouvaille
9/12/2025 Midsouth Oak Men's retreat
9/19/2025 Lutheran WML
9/12/2025 Hilldale COC
9/12/2025 Franklin UMC women
9/27/2025 Trevecca Community Church campout
9/5/2025 Sagurda Corazon de Jesus
10/3/2025 Woman to Woman
10/7/2025 Retired Ministers
10/10/2025 Hope Center
10/13/2025 Peer Support
10/17/2025 Midsouth Magnolia
10/17/2025 Iglesia De Rios
10/24/2025 Woodson Chapel
10/31/2025 Hope Center Women
Put Gary and Joy Rhodes on your prayer list for God's favor and mercy as they begin a new chapter in retirement.
Pray for the CGC staff and their families. The campground is a beautiful, serene place, yet our enemy is relentless in his attack of all ministry. We have challenges with the staff’s health. We continue with a razor thin cash flow margin. Your prayer is sustaining.
We are thanking God for CGC's Chaplain, Rev. Bob McKenzie. For the last four years we have prayed for Bob as both his heart and back seriously sidelined him. Just this week at staff devotions, Bob praised God saying he's experiencing great healing. Bob said, "There's so much I want to do!"
Pray for wisdom for the Camp Board and leadership staff. Pray that they seek and find the mind of God for all things future.
Pray that God will raise up donors to support CGC. The focus is always on the people to whom we minister. Funding is lower in priority than success in our mission, yet it’s clear without funding from faithful donors we are thwarted in reaching toward God’s vision for the campground. It takes a combination of one time gifts and regular monthly giving.
