Kingdom Bound Celebrates 25 Years

By Mark Weber

 
Kingdom Bound is a Christian music festival and a year-round ministry located in Western New York. While you’d expect something like it in the Bible Belt, for over two decades Kingdom Bound has been going strong in an area not generally known for “born again” Christians. This year, Kingdom Bound celebrates its 25th year of continuous ministry in Western New York.
     Many people have “grown up” with Kingdom Bound, and now bring their own children to ride the rides at Darien Lake, the popular amusement park where its held, as well as to hear inspiring Christian speakers, singers, and bands.

Kingdom Bound Begins
1986-1992
Kingdom Bound started as an idea in the hearts and minds of two people from Buffalo, New York: Fred Caserta, a booking agent and concert promoter, and Mike Caputy, a drummer and evangelist. In 1986, they presented a concert featuring Sheila Walsh, Russ Taff, and Mylon LeFevre. Following this concert, Kevin Ketcham, Special Events Coordinator for Darien Lake Theme Park, in rural Darien Center, New York, halfway between Buffalo and Rochester, presented them with the idea of a Christian music day in the park. The first Kingdom Bound debuted on a chilly October day in 1987. Even though it was 39 degrees, 6,000 people showed up for the three day event, and had a great time in the Lord. Speakers at the first Kingdom Bound included Will McFarlane, Michael Peace, Larry Norman, Rick Cua, and Jeri Barricks. Other notable talents at Kingdom Bound 1987 included Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart, Twila Paris, Steve Taylor, White Heart, and Randy Stonehill. In 1987, a three day pass cost between $24 and $31. After its October debut, Kingdom Bound wisely moved to the end of August for 1988 and many years to follow. In 1989, a children’s ministry, deaf ministry, and the worship tent were added. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Kingdom Bound grew in attendance and scope, welcoming artists like Petra, Margaret Becker, Phil Keaggy, Glad, Carman, Larnelle Harris, Bryan Duncan, John Michael Talbot, Tony Melendez, David Meece, Newsboys, and Wayne Watson. Speakers like Josh McDowell, Dave Roever, Mike Cavanaugh, and Fred “ReRun” Berry (from the show “What’s Happening”) also made appearances. In the early 1990s, during the last weekend of May, Kingdom Bound offered several “Praise” weekends held at Darien Lake. In 1992, the August festival got soaked with rains from Hurricane Andrew. No matter what the weather, Kingdom Bound has always had prayer at the center of the ministry, and many people from all types of backgrounds have “given their lives to Christ” because of this. From the beginning, a communion service and water baptisms have been an integral part of Kingdom Bound.

Kingdom Bound Grows
1993-1999
In 1993, the new Performing Arts Center began to take shape at Six Flags Darien Lake. For the first time ever, Kingdom Bound booked three headliners for the festival: Newsboys, dc Talk, and Steven Curtis Chapman. During the 1990s, Kingdom Bound and Six Flags Darien Lake grew by leaps and bounds. Kingdom Bound became very active in booking concerts year-round in cities such as Buffalo and Rochester, bringing in artists like Steve Green, Michael Sweet, and 4Him. At the summer festival, several artists and speakers making Kingdom Bound appearances during this era included: Ray Boltz, Angelo & Veronica, Charlie Peacock, Acappella, DeGarmo & Key, Babbie Mason, Alvin Slaughter, Anointed, Cindy Morgan, Jars of Clay, Jaci Velasquez, Christafari, Bart Campolo, Ron Luce, Lenny LeBlanc, Audio Adrenaline, Delirious?, Third Day, Darlene Zschech, Ron Kenoly, The Donut Man, family and relationship expert Dr. Kevin Leman, and noted newspaper columnist Cal Thomas. In 1994, a “Sports Experience” included clinics in basketball, soccer, and football, the Buffalo Bills’ Pete Metzelaars and his wife Barb hosted Main Stage events, and Darien Lake added a nightly “Laserlight Fantasy Show.” On June 22, 1996, Kingdom Bound celebrated its 10th year anniversary with a day of prayer and praise at the ballpark in downtown Buffalo. A concert featuring 4Him and First Call followed a Bisons’ baseball game. Also in 1996, the summer festival offered patrons a lot of things to do—you could choose from a “Rave in the Café” with DJ Scott Blackwell, a Singles Coffee House with Testify and Big Wheelie, or a nightly Bible Study with Rochester’s Pastor Samme Palermo, among many other activities. A few times in June during the late 1990s, Kingdom Bound partnered with an Albany radio station to present a one day event called “KB at The Great Escape: Splashwater Kingdom,” at an amusement park in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. In 1999, Kingdom Bound’s theme was “Be Like Jesus,” and there was enough news and information to fill a thick 40-page newspaper given to festival attendees. 1999 was the last year when Kingdom Bound was held at the end of August. In 1999, a four day pass to the festival cost between $51 and $70.

Kingdom Bound’s Golden Age
2000-present
In 2000, Kingdom Bound moved from late August on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule, to early August on a Sunday thru Wednesday schedule.  Fred Caserta wrote in the 2000 program, “Make it a point to get to one of the early morning worship services—it’s the best way to start your morning. Please plan to attend at least one seminar each day. There are a wide variety of topics to minister to all who attend. You can get tapes of the sessions you miss from Eastco Pro Media who will be taping all teaching sessions.” In 2000, Kingdom Bound debuted its Web site, www.kingdombound.org. In March of 2000 and April of 2001, Kingdom Bound mounted a festival in Florida at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, but Kingdom Bound Florida never caught on, and it was decided that the staff would concentrate on Upstate New York, where its offices and strongest connections were. During this era of cell phones, e-mail, and i-Pods, Kingdom Bound continued to grow in size and scope, appealing to more people than ever before. Artists and speakers during this era included: Michael W. Smith, Jay Bakker, Frank Reich of the Buffalo Bills, Selah, ApologetiX, VeggieTales, Reggie Dabbs, Paul Baloche, Robin Mark, The OC Supertones, Cheri Keaggy, Rebecca St. James, Skillet, Relient K, Jason Upton, Sanctus Real, Andrew Carlton, Todd Agnew, Jeremy Camp, Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, Nicole C. Mullen, Kutless, Pillar, Ryan Dobson, Lakita Garth, David Crowder, Seventh Day Slumber, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, and T-Bone. Also during this era, Kirk Cameron, the actor from Growing Pains and the Left Behind films, along with another famous actor, Stephen Baldwin, made numerous festival appearances, talking about their faith in Christ and encouraging young people to get to know God not through a dead religion, but through an intimate relationship. In 2004, Kingdom Bound welcomed members of the Christian Wrestling Federation, as well as BMX bike riders and skateboarders, who demonstrated what they do and also talked openly about their faith with onlookers. Thanks to the efforts of their first professional publicist, Mark Weber, Kingdom Bound received widespread media attention during this era, often being featured in newspapers and magazines, as well as on TV newscasts and interview programs. In 2005, Kingdom Bound attracted 63,000 people over the course of four days. Ticket prices for a four day pass in 2006 were between $80 and $100. During its 20th anniversary year, 2006, Kingdom Bound lost its leader, Fred Caserta, who passed away at the age of 65. His funeral, held at The Tabernacle in Orchard Park, New York, was a joyous affair as hundreds of people in attendance sang along to the songs Fred had chosen for his final event. Amidst tears and smiles, those who spoke at Fred’s funeral remembered how he was always praying with and for people, and how he had such a strong desire to see people come to Christ. Kingdom Bound’s staff, and its hundreds of volunteers and supporters, vowed to carry on Fred’s mission, and, so, Kingdom Bound continues to this day, helping encourage people in their faith journeys, as well as leading those who are lost or hurting to Christ.

Kingdom Bound takes place July 31-August 3, 2011 at Darien Lake. Headliners include Newsboys, Casting Crowns, Skillet and Chris Tomlin. For more info, visit www.kingdombound.org.

--Mark Weber owns and runs BuffaloChristian.com and ChristianMusicDaily.com. He also is a recording artist, with music at WebbaWeb.com.

Speaking of Camps

Branches of Niagara Campground and Resort in Grand Island offers family's the option of enjoying the beauty of God's creation and a host of activities while supporting a Christian business that operates a first class operation in Grand Island.

Editor's Note: With summer right around the corner, here is a snapshot of some of the great resources Western New York offers for family and children Christian Camp. Originally published in our sister publication THRiVE! in 2009. 

By Christine Setlock
It’s not too late to reserve local campsites for family or church retreats and provide a memorable summer of fun and excitement that is spiritually nourishing.
     Whether the economy will effect all camp rosters this summer is yet unclear, according to some camp leaders, while others are already noting a sizeable increase in reservations as vacationers plan smaller, less expensive getaways in the local area.
     “Our camp numbers are up quite significantly,” said Angela Bertie, who handles public affairs at the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “That’s pretty much the case across the state. We’re seeing huge numbers across the board.”
     Reservations for the Niagara region, which includes campsites such as Evangola, Four Mile Creek and Golden Hill, increased 18.4 percent. That’s 453 reservations more than last year, with 2,914 advanced reservations as of mid-May.
     Reservations are up 3.5 percent over last year at Allegany State Park, the most popular campground in the WNY region. That’s 351 more reservations then last year, with 10,361 advanced reservations.
     Reservations at Letchworth State Park increased 1.4 percent, or 70 more reserved spots than this time last year, with 4,902 advanced reservations.
     Some retreat and conference organizations, such as LeTourneau Christian Center, are running special discount offers due to the bad economic turn. Instead of a “vacation” LeTourneau’s 2009 family camp is being advertised as a “staycation,” keeping families closer to home and going easier on their wallets.
     Other campgrounds are expecting spots to fill as usual.
     “We are actually down just a little,” said Ray Milholland of Camp Hickory Hill, which operates a summer youth camp in Varysburg, NY. “It was thought that more people would be coming to camp because of the economy, but when registrations started coming in, it was pretty slow. It’s picked up a little, but we’re still close to where we were at this time last year.”
Big Tree Wesleyan youth pastor, Rob Engler planned his church’s youth camp at Allegany State Park and had no problems reserving the spot. “We reserved it really early,” he said.
     In addition to regular camping facilities at state parks, most Christian camping organizations run youth camps throughout the summer, and spots are still available. Local youth pastors say that Christian camps provide an enriching spiritual experience that can be most valuable in a child or teenager’s formative years.
     “Out of all the events we do throughout the year, I would say that our youth camps have the most impact,” said Steven Johnson, youth pastor at Fellowship Wesleyan Church in West Seneca. “I think when students leave what’s familiar to them, there’s this openness and chance to examine their lives and get a new perspective on who they are and where they are.”

The following highlights a small handful of the many camps within driving distance of the greater Buffalo - Niagara region:

Camp Findley, Clymer, NY
Driving Time: About an hour and 30 minutes from Buffalo
Summer Camp Cost: Average cost for one week is $360, $175 for half-week camps, $420 for horse camp which includes lessons at a professional riding stable. Camp Findley is a 140-acre retreat and conference center that also operates as a Christian youth camp from mid-June to mid-August.
Children can go swimming, boating, kayaking and canoeing on the beautiful Findley Lake. Tubing and waterskiing is available for the older kids. Other activities include nature hikes, crafts and sports. The campground has a soccer field, volleyball net, and baseball diamond.
     “Once the kids get away from the cell phone and they can actually be with the people around them, instead of texting all the time, they really have a good time,” said Aliechia Post, summer director at the camp.
     In addition to a chapel, the center includes dorm-style buildings and four cabin buildings with a separate shower area and a dining facility. The camp has seven main counselors that are supplemented with volunteers.
     Kids attend a praise and worship chapel service in the morning, a bible study during the day, and an evening service where local pastors are brought in from the area. The camp has United Methodist roots with a focus on fellowship, evangelism and discipleship. “We don’t get too doctrinal with kids; it’s basic Jesus loves you,” said one camp worker. “We teach them Christian values. Anyone can come.”
     Registration is available online at the camp’s website and can be completed right up till the day of camp. “We try very hard not to turn people away unless we’re really filled up,” said Post.
In addition to the youth camp, Family Bible Camp is offered July 19—25.
     Churches and educational groups can also rent the facility for retreats and seminars of up to 160 people, during off-season. The camp can assist in retreat planning and provide food packages through their dining hall.
Visit campfindley.org for more information, or call (716) 769-7146.

Circle C Ranch, Delevan, NY
Driving Time: About one hour from Buffalo
Summer Camp Cost: $150 to $325 for specialty camps
     When parents drop their children off at this summer camp they find themselves in the middle of the Old West where they witness a live shoot-out, complete with outlaws, deputy sheriff, and a town jail.
“We have a western town so that you think you’re on a TV set,” said Circle C Ranch founder, Wes Aarum. “Horses come in and out. We have stunt work done.”
     “It’s so much fun watching the adults. They don’t realize the shot gun is coming and they jump right off the bench,” he said.
      The camp welcomes boys and girls, ages 8 to 18 throughout the summer months for unique Christ-centered fun. Activities include swimming in two pools, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball. Horseback riding is offered with 50 to 60 well-trained horses that stay on the property year round. The camp also has a recreational center with fooz ball and ping-pong. Or, kids can scale a climbing wall or join in a game of Lasertron.
And in the midst of this, teenagers even memorize scripture.
“Thousands of kids’ lives have been changed here,” Aarum said. “We teach them to share their faith with their friends, how they can live for the Lord. Parents are often surprised by how much the children learn.”
     Aarum described the camp, now in its 40th year, as Bible believing, but non-denominational and non-charismatic. He said that 370 teenagers accepted Christ at the annual Snow Camp held this past winter.
     Circle C recently added a new entrance to the chapel where campers attend a large evening welcome service. And when parents pick their children up for departure on Sat. mornings, they’re invited to view them on a big screen due to trusty cameramen who go around filming the young campers throughout the week.
     The cabins hold large groups of 28 and there is an emphasis on safety. Each cabin sleeps 24 campers and four counselors (one counselor for every six kids). Camp administrators hold fire drills and lost child drills beforehand to train for the unexpected. This year brought such a good response for summer staff that administrators at Circle C had to turn 30 applicants away. And workers often return for subsequent summers.
     “They love it here; it’s like a family,” Aarum said.
     Aarum is the not only the camp’s founder, but also CEO, which he humorously said stands for Crazy, Eccentric and Old. At age 82, he swims a mile a day in the summer months in addition to riding horseback, roller-skating and working out three times a week. “Aging is inevitable, but growing old is your choice,” Aarum said. “You work with kids and they keep you young. ”
Aarum has worked as a WNY youth pastor, but was an 18-year-old lifeguard attending camp when he first dreamed of starting a Christ-centered camp of his own. “God finally opened the door,” he said of the time when the 350-acre parcel of land was purchased for $14,800 and Circle C Ranch began in 1968.
     Today, the camp also features cookouts, an all-you-can-eat dining hall and country store. “Kids like fun and they like food,” Aarum said. “And then we give them Jesus.”
Visit circlecranch.org to print registration form or call (716) 492-3687 to register with credit card by phone.

Covenant Acres Camp, Pike, NY
Driving Time: About 1 hour and 25 minutes from Buffalo
Summer Camp Cost: Pre-K—2nd grade,$140; various camps for grade levels 3—12, $275, with additional fees for paintball camp.
     Covenant Acres was founded by the Conference of the Free Methodist Church and serves youth from all Christian denominations in various camps from late June through early August. The campground is located on 165 acres of land, which includes wooded hiking trails and the 40 acre, man-made Wiscoy Lake, which is stocked with largemouth bass for fishing.
     A variety of cabins and lodges are available for rent, some overlooking the lake. The site also includes an outdoor pavilion, park, and swimming area with a rope swing and 70-foot waterslide. Canoe, boat and kayak rentals are also available. Other activities include swimming, soccer, volleyball, horseshoes, archery, and paintball.
     In addition to the summer youth camps, RV camping and scheduled retreats are also accommodated.Youth camps include Kidz Jam Camp (June 28-July 3) and Grade School Camp (July 5-10, July 12-17, July 19-24) for grades 3, 4, and 5.
     Junior Teen Camp (July 5-10, July 12-17, July 19-24, July 26-31) is offered for grades 6, 7, and 8. “You can expect to meet new friends, laugh harder than you ever have and learn about how exciting having God in your life can be,” states the camp website.
      Senior Teen Camp (July 12-17, July 19-24) is offered for grades 9-12. “Each day you will be challenged spiritually and learn how God’s love is life-changing,” states the website.
Older, braver teens can sign up for Highland Camp (July 26-July 31), where they set up camp in the woods, sleep in tents, and learn outdoor survival techniques. KREW Camp (Aug. 2-7) is also offered for teenagers interested in becoming summer camp counselors.
      Covenant Acres staffs two trained counselors in each cabin, which sleep up to 10 campers, as well as two counselors for activities of 15 campers or more. Counselors trained in first aid and CPR are also on-hand.
Visit www.covenantacres.org for more information.

Hickory Hill, Varysburg, NY
Driving Time: About 45 minutes from Buffalo
Summer Camp Cost: General camp cost of $280, Specialty camps range from $315—$399, depending on transportation and/or equipment involved. Special mother/daughter, father/son camps are $260 for a pair, and $60 for each additional child (not exceeding $320 per family).
     The heart of Hickory Hill is its Christ-centered focus and lively Bible learning. Morning begins with praise and worship following breakfast. Campers participate in Bible exploration with cabin leaders. And nights include special camp fires where kids gather round for songs, fun drama skits, or stories with Biblical application. Many campers end up making decisions for Christ at these bonfires.
“It’s a blessing to see God work when we get kids away from all the distractions,” said Sam Richbart, who’s been serving as executive director of Hickory Hills for 23 years.
      Boys camps run through July, serving ages 8-12 in the younger camp, and ages 12-16 for the older camp. Girls camps run through August, likewise serving ages 8-12 in the younger camp, and ages 12-16 for the older camp.
     Camp leaders introduce the importance of personal devotional time, and two camp pastors are on hand for each week (one for each age group).
     Activities include an opportunity to do archery or target practice, paint ball and Nerf gun games, fishing, canoeing, hiking, swimming and crafts. The camp site also has a soccer field, swimming pool  and climbing wall.
     One of the specialty camps offered for boys, called Brigade Air, involves bus trips to Akron Airport where boys meet pilots and learn about airplane mechanics and map reading. Another specialty camp includes a golf program where boys practice their swing at a local golf course located just five minutes from camp. Since the girls camp coincides with the annual Kingdom Bound Festival at Darien Lake Theme Park, the camp runs a special camp excursion just for that event.
Hickory Hill has 13 cabins to offer, all comfortable facilities with electricity and foam mattress bunk beds. The cabins sleep 12 people, with an additional larger cabin that sleeps 24.
Church groups can rent facilities during off-season (Sept. through May), including heated cabins for winter retreats.
     Originally founded to meet the needs of the Christian Service Brigade, a national church organization aimed at equipping the younger generation for discipleship ministry, the camp has now expanded to serve churches and individual campers from the surrounding area. Staffing for summer camp can reach up to 200 as Hickory Hill has an on-going leadership development program. “It’s neat to see a young leader get excited that God is using him,” said Richbart. “They want to live for Christ for the rest of their lives.”
     Now employed by Hickory Hill, Richbart said he remembers coming to the camp for the first time at age 10. His grandfather was also a Hickory Hill board member. The camp’s founders took second mortgages on their homes to purchase the land in 1955, which was then an old farm.
“Time after time, we’ve seen God’s provision over the years,” Richbart said.
For more information or camp registration phone (585)535-7832 or visit their website at camphickoryhill.org.

LeTourneau Christian Center, Rushville, NY
Driving Time: About two hours from Buffalo
Summer Camp Cost: Weekend rate (Apr. through Sept.) — $150 for weekend, $120 per person for shared room, and $95 per person for a heated bungalow. Weekend rate (Oct. through Mar.) — $140 for weekend, $110 per person for shared room, and $90 per person for a heated bungalow. Weekend packages include three meals a day through the dining hall.
     Located on Canandaigua Lake in Central NY, the focus of LeTourneau Christian Center is spiritual nourishment and furthering the Gospel. It’s a specialty camp that caters to churches and church organizations and typically serves groups of 20 or more. The center is used for retreats, seminars, and family camps focused on Christian evangelism.
     Visitors can enjoy sand volleyball, an outdoor basketball court, or miniature golf course. The recreational hall has fooz ball, ping-pong and pool tables. Campers can make use of free canoes and row boats, or pay to rent a motor boat and enjoy the lake.
     Folks at LeTourneau know that pastors need time away for vacations and spiritual refreshment, too. The center offers two cabins specifically reserved for pastors in full-time ministry. One cabin accommodates up to five people, and the other pastoral cabin can sleep up to seven, for a reduced rate of $20 per night.
      LeTourneau is running a special Family Camp from July 30 to August 2, with reduced family prices that include an entire weekend stay. Age 18+ -- $90, ages 13-17 — $75, ages 5-12 — $50, and age 4 and under — free. The family camp will utilize the bungalows, which sleep up to six people.
Visit letourneau.org or call 585-554-3400 for more information.

Mission Meadows, Dewittville, NY
Driving Time: About an hour and 15 minutes from Buffalo
Summer Camp Cost: $325—$335 for one week, per person
     Owned by Evangelical Covenant Church, Mission Meadows is located on Chautauqua Lake and offers a variety of summer youth camps with kids from all different Christian denominations attending.
The camp has a Christ-centered focus with chapel services offered once or twice daily, depending on age level. “Most kids are changed in some way, challenged to consider their relationship with Christ, or take that next step,” said Barb Hungerford, assistant director at the camp.
     Activities include boating, swimming, arts and crafts, nature hikes, and athletics. The campground has a ropes course, climbing wall and indoor gym.
     Mission Meadows recently completed construction on a new chapel and renovated the dorm last winter. Campers sleep in a variety of cabins and dorms, divided by gender. The dorm and some of the cabins have in-house showers, with separate shower facilities for the other cabins. Meals are included through the dining hall.
     The site offers a family camp from June 28-July 4 and July 19-25. Kids camp, grades 3-8, runs July 5-11 and Aug. 2-8. A kids camp, grades 7- 9, runs July 12-18. And, a camp for grades 9-12 runs July 26-Aug. 1.
For more information call (716)386-5935 or visit missionmeadows.org.

Oh — did we mention that most youth camps require cell phones be left at home?

What the World Needs Now

By Robert Stearns

This next generation will be intentional in reconciliation. It will embrace the strengths found in other cultures and seek to honor others and learn from them.

There was a song in the seventies that said that love is what the world needs now. This is definitely true! We have only to look at the global tensions to see how desperate we are for peace: Israel vs. Hamas, Fatah, Hezbollah, Syria, Iran; Hindus vs. Muslims in India; Islamofascism vs. civilization in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas; and racial strife throughout the United States. It seems that the more we talk about multiculturalism and acceptance, the less tolerance we have toward one another.

     In the midst of this cultural war zone, Jesus has called believers to be the peacemakers. He has called us to become a force for justice and peace in the midst of troubled times. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). If you study this word peacemaker in the Greek, it carries the idea of action behind it. In other words, it is not saying blessed are those who simply keep to themselves and hope everyone else does the same. To the contrary, the idea expressed here is that we will be called the sons of God if we actively seek to bring about peace in situations where there is strife and division. This verse carries with it the call to intentionality.

     The classic Adam Clarke Commentary describes the activity required of peacemakers. A peace-maker is a man who, being endowed with a generous public spirit, labours for the public good, and feels his own interest promoted in promoting that of others: therefore, instead of fanning the fire of strife, he uses his influence and wisdom to reconcile the contending parties, adjust their differences, and restore them to a state of unity. As all men are represented to be in a state of hostility to God and each other, the Gospel is called the Gospel of peace, because it tends to reconcile men to God and to each other.¹

     Throughout the Body of Christ, we are being called to reconciliation. Dividing walls are being broken down—Jew and Gentile, black and white, Hispanic and Asian, old and young, male and female, rich and poor. The Body is beginning to understand how desperately all parts are needed. We cannot be complete until each portion and each member of the Body is released into the fullness of their divine purpose. How may we hasten this process? How do we become peacemakers?

REPENTANCE

Part of the answer is personal repentance. Personal repentance is honestly acknowledging whatever strongholds, or negative “houses of thought” (thought patterns), we have harbored. Have we secretly thought less of those from a culture different from our own? Have we thought them lazy? Elitist? Irresponsible? Self-centered? Do we harbor fear about those who are different from us? Have we entertained stereotypes and generalizations and reinforced them to our families and friends? Have we actively sought out those different from us—white, black, Asian, Hispanic, Jew, rich, poor, less-educated, more-educated? Have we reached out with a hand of friendship, offering acceptance and relationship? If we are simply content to declare our innocence —“I am not a racist!”—but put no action to our words, then our statements, without works, are dead. (See James 2:20.)

     Ask yourself these questions: Am I actively pursuing relationship with anyone whose background is very different from my own? Am I seeking to understand them—their background, their frame of reference? Am I providing opportunities for real dialogue to occur? If not, commit to it now. Commit to growing in relationship with someone from a background very different from your own.  Far from the heart of the self-righteous Pharisee, who thanked God that he was not like other sinners (Luke 18:9-14), there is a cry rising up deep in our souls that says we are indeed sinners and that we who are of the household of faith are all the more responsible because of the great measure of grace that has been poured out upon us.

This selection was taken from Prepare the Way (or Get Out of the Way!) by Robert Stearns, available on www.kairosresourcecenter.com.

¹ Adam Clarke Commentary, cited in PC Study Bible (Seattle, WA: Biblesoft), ver. 2.1.

Robert Stearns is the founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings, an international relational network of believers, churches, and ministries committed to the lifestyle of biblical spirituality, the unity of the Body of Christ, and God’s enduring covenant with Israel.  Robert also serves as co-chairman of the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, and is the Publisher of KAIROS Magazine.

April/May Resources

From the beginning, the church has had an uneasy relationship with grace. The gravitational pull is always toward graceless religion. The odd thing is that when you read the New Testament, the only thing Jesus stood against consistently was graceless religion. The only group he attacked relentlessly was graceless religious leaders. Even now as you think about grace, there might be a little voice in your head whispering, "It can't be that easy!", "What about obedience?" "What about disobedience?" "What about repeated misbehavior?" "What about bad habits?" "What about justice?" "What about repentance?" It's this tension that makes grace so slippery. But that's the beauty and the truth of grace. We don't deserve it. We can't earn it. It can't be qualified. But God gives it to us anyway because he loves us unconditionally. READ MORE...

Neil Boron Resigns

Popular radio host and former pastor Neil Boron resigned from his position as Program Manager of WDCX 99.5 effective May 2 citing family and personal reasons for the sudden resignation that has left listeners wondering what happened. WDCX released a statement updating their followers on Facebook saying, "Neil Boron has resigned from WDCX for personal reasons. We are not trying to be elusive with information, but unfortunately, this is all we are able to tell you. We are hard at work as we determine what God wants for the future of our 3-6pm day-part." Fans and followers since have posted nearly daily seeking more information and offering their prayers and condolences to the family. According to WDCX, replacement programming is in the works with qualified candidates already being considered for the premium time slot Neil Boron Live filled in WDCX's programming- 3-6pm Monday through Friday.

Listener Caren Cavanagh Haug wrote on Facebook, "Shocked. Saddened. I will miss Neil and NBL. Neil led me to Christ about 15 years ago just by listening to him on the air! I will be praying for Neil and his family at this difficult time. Also, for WDCX as they decided what to do from 3-6."

Another comment read, "Missing NBL more than you know...Neil I'm praying for you and your family...Please know that just as God loves you` so do we... you have inspired and always been there for all God's children..know that we are here for you now...as i am on my knees ...praying that God's plan for your life is revealed through his amazing mercy and grace..... we both know... God is in full control... I just need to say...we miss you...we care about you... and we love you.... Remember God is closer to you than a brother / journeying beside you and we're all tagging along...
Praying for YOU... many hugs"

For now it is a new season in Western New York Christian radio as the baton is passed to the next host of WDCX's afternoon show.

Editor's Note: We originally published a profile of Neil Boron when he started NBL in our sister publication THRiVE! in our Spring 2008 issue by Christine Setlock which we have included below.

Sipping coffee in the small conference room of the WDCX radio station at 625 Delaware Avenue, talk show host and program director Neil Boron reflects on how good it is to be home.

           His first season back on Christian radio, after an 8-year absence to lead a local church, is a change Boron says, is true to his calling, and has many people in the Buffalo area welcoming his return.     

           “My desire is to get Christians to really think,” said Boron, host of the newly launched Neil Boron Live.  “I don’t want to just spoon-feed information to people. I want to throw out ideas that can be discussed and let people wrestle over it, so that they can own the truth.”

In addition to exploring issues from a biblical worldview, the Neil Boron Live broadcast is giving voice to the work of God in people’s lives.

       Lives like special guests Jeryl and Nikole Marohn, who are finding strength and comfort in Christ in the midst of their daughter’s suffering, Amelia Joy, 3, as they prepare for her third open heart surgery on March 20.  Or, the man identified as Abdul, who had a life-changing conversion experience after leaving the Muslim religion and coming to faith in Christ. 

      Response to the Feb. 7 show on the Muslim topic was enough to cause WDCX to re-air the broadcast on Feb. 21, according to Neil Boron Live producer, Jesse Pohle.

      The show takes off from Boron’s previous work in WDCX talk-radio as host of the former LifeLine, which aired through the late 90’s, becoming a Christian forum for evangelical Western New York.  It’s the only Christian radio show of its kind at the local level, broadcasting live from the WDCX studio in downtown Buffalo.

       Boron has been engaging his listening audience on a wide variety of issues, but the show’s real impact is doing that in a context that shares the good news of Christ.

      “I care about the world around me and what’s going on, but ultimately, that leads right back to Jesus,” Boron said. “Since I came to faith in Christ I know that He is the way to God and He’s what matters.”

       Guests on Neil Boron Live include Christian psychologist and author Kevin Lehman, local personality Jill Kelly and authors Allison Bottke (Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children) and Faisal Malick (The Destiny of Islam in End Times).

      “We’ll talk about hard issues: marriage and family and culture,” Boron said. “We’ll get into politics, particularly as it relates to the lives we lead. When there’s bioethical issues involved like stem cell research, abortion, all the life issues — we’ll talk about those things.”

“It’s trying to talk about real life, and yet do it with some balance, so that every program isn’t heavy,” he said.

      It’s not easy to see where the Buffalo-area Christian community has Public Square outside the local church, but the show changes that, with local call-in listeners sharing testimony through the medium of radio.

      “We’re hoping we’ll be able to reach Western New York and Southern Ontario in a new way,” said Nev Larson, general manager of WDCX. “In terms of reaching people for Christ, there’s just an openness today that we haven’t seen before.”

True Calling

It has been what Boron described as “one miracle after another,” that led him to where he is now.

He first sensed a calling to Buffalo Christian radio at the tender age of 16, as a Kenmore East Bull Dog on the high school football field. He knew the Lord was with him the day his team played against their Kenmore West rivalry, where he made four touchdowns, kicked a fuel goal, and ran 85 yards, scoring 30 out of his team’s 32 points to victory. “It was like God just opened up the Red Sea and handed me the ball,” he said.

      That led Boron to a full football scholarship at Boston University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in mass communication, and on to an unlikely academic scholarship at Pat Robertson’s Regent University where he received his masters degree in broadcast management.

Boron’s WDCX Buffalo  coverage of the “Spring of Life” protests at abortion clinics in the early 90’s led him to Washington D.C. where he worked as the east coast correspondent for James Dobson’s Family News in Focus.

      His radio experience includes news coverage of Billy Graham Crusades, Promisekeeper events, and political conventions during both the 1996 and 1992 presidential races.

But a major turning point in Boron’s career came when he met a certain mother and was moved by the depth of her plight. A young boy involved in pornography raped her 4-year-old daughter, and she was raising awareness on the harmful nature of it out of the ashes of her pain. Boron’s difficult task was that of condensing her heart-wrenching story into three, ten-second sound bites for the radio broadcast, Family News in Focus.

      “Lord, I can’t do this anymore,” he prayed, wanting to help others tell their stories in a more in-depth, Christ-healing kind of way.

      About two weeks later, the phone rang. It was Larson, from WDCX, asking him to come host a radio talk show. Thus, the creation of Boron’s first show, LifeLine, which came to be characterized by a hometown style of Christian talk that was “Buffalo” to the church community.

      “It was a fulfillment of my heart’s desire to be able to do talk radio on Christian radio, and just be with people and hear stories, and try to focus on what’s important — get to the heart of matter,” Boron said. “And there were people who came to Christ during that time.”

The difference between that time and now is that Boron is bringing eight years of pastoral experience to the plate. LifeLine aired till 1999 when Boron obeyed the call of God on his heart and left, shifting to pastoral work at Amherst Baptist Church where he came to serve as senior pastor until his most recent return to radio.

      The transition was not an easy one.

      The Lord brought a major turning point came in Boron’s path again, this time in the form of another pastor named Chip Ingram. He listened to his sermon, (which contained many parallels to Boron’s life) from his Holiday Inn hotel room where he stayed while attending a Baptist meeting in Nashville, Tennessee:

      Find the thing that you were uniquely created to do and do that thing. So, what is it that you were uniquely designed by God to do — that He designed you to do and no else can do it quite like you? You know, the other things you’re doing, somebody else can do, but what one thing did God create you to do?   —Recreated excerpt of sermon.

      “Lord, I really think you created me for Christian radio,” Boron prayed out of his heart’s conviction. Then a realization hit. “Wait a second — I’m a pastor of a church! I can’t betray the flock. I can’t be thinkin’ these thoughts. I have responsibilities back at the church—”

The phone rang.

      It was WDCX, general manager, Larson. Would Boron come back and host a talk show at WDCX?

       Thus, came the creation of Neil Boron Live.

       No one knew that when the opening music started rolling for Boron’s first moment back on-air, tears came to his eyes.

      “It felt good to be home,” he said.

Boron has three children named Bethany, 21; Zachary, 19; and Benjamin, 16; and lives in Amherst with his wife, Mary. He is a trustee on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and also serves as an elder at Amherst Baptist Church

WDCX serves the WNY and southern Ontario region and is owned by Crawford Broadcasting Company, which has 24 radio stations in 11 markets. Neil Boron Live airs Mon. -- Fri. from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ( WDCX FM 99.5).

TC Coplin: World of Girls

By Tunya Griffin

Terrie Ann Williams Coplin, better known as Pastor TC, is in the business of enhancing and empowering the lives of young ladies.
     TC, an experienced counselor and youth worker for over 19 years, has helped countless young ladies by instilling into them hope, confidence, courage and a realignment of dignity and integrity. As accomplished as her current life may appear; her life growing up was quite challenging, yet one that uniquely qualifies her to make such a profound impact on our teen girls today.
     This past August, I sat down with TC to hear about her journey working with young ladies and how she started World of Girls, an organization dedicated to enhancing young women’s lives. As I arrived at the office for World of Girls at 651 Delaware Avenue, TC welcomed me, escorted me to her office, and offered me a seat. I could not help but stare at this poised, well-dressed, beautiful woman. Adorning the walls were newspaper articles, pictures, awards and various certificates from young ladies who are a part of her business. TC told me her story, how she was a Buffalo native and middle child of six sisters and one brother and how she had lived a “very risky life,” during her teenage years. In fact, during her teenage years she found herself expelled from junior high school, faced numerous suspensions due to fighting, was insubordinate towards teachers, became pregnant at the age of 14, smoked marijuana, wanted to start her own gang to help those who were being bullied by others, and also struggled academically. “I lived a very risky life, and even ran away from home on one occasion,” explained TC. “My mother threatened to place me in the East Ferry Detention Juvenile Prison at one point,” she continued. As a result of her behavior she was labeled by her family and society as an “at-risk teenage girl.” However this former at-risk teenage girl beat the odds in an extraordinary way.
     At the age of 16, TC’s mother took her to a church called Holy Presence Church of God in Christ for a revival. It was there that her journey of change began. According to TC, “During the revival I decided to accept the invitation to allow Jesus to become Lord in my life.” It was there, under the leadership of her Pastor, Willie Woods Jr., with the encouragement of her father that her life, at the tender age of 17 began to take a very different turn. She began working toward a calling into full time ministry, starting with her appointment to a deaconess missionary, then a licensed evangelist, and a now licensed ordained minister.
     At the age of 23, TC, following her passion in life, began working with young ladies to help them out of the life she was once a part of. “It’s all about the girls, I wanted to reach out and help. World of Girls is about empowering young ladies to take a leadership role in our communities,” TC explained. This leadership role includes everything from serving in their neighborhoods, communities, humanitarian services to senior citizens, blind associations, events, empowerment classes’ business development and more. TC explained, “World of Girls also provides assistance in helping support young ladies coming off the streets through financial stipends that allow them to get food and shelter; with a requirement of them attending a daily homeless recovery workshop. I take the young ladies to meetings with me so that they can learn and grow as individuals, overcoming those patterns that have kept them from achieving in life."
     In 1987 she launched her first Debutante Pageant of Divinity, a pageant designed to enhance the lives of our young ladies 12-19 years of age. The pageant serves as an annual Gala event that helps to refine the talents, character development, poise, social graces, public speaking skills, community service, spiritual enrichment, a God consciousness and education for young ladies. In 1992, she started a Young Ladies Development and Character Building Workshop in Buffalo Public Schools. In 1993 she then expanded into a Young Ladies Leadership Conference followed in 2001 with a Young Ladies Sisters United Block Club Fellowship; in 2003 a Young Ladies Radio Show which is being heard on 1270 AM every Saturday at 1 p.m. and the list goes on. In 2006, she added a Counseling service for young ladies as part of the World of Girls Empowerment Center. The services that she offers cover three main categories: education, mental health, and emotional health. TC explained that her transparency about her own journey helps women open up about their own, “I am transparent. I share my own journey so that they know that I can relate, and they then feel safe to share their challenges. They can feel that I care for them; and I will not be judgmental,” she added. “In my counseling services they have the opportunity to be raw, right-to-the-point. They have autonomy with me. As a result, they are able to be themselves.”
     Today this former at risk teenage girl, Terrie Ann Coplin, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Biblical studies from Houghton College; a Master’s Degree from Canisus College in Education/Counseling and Mental Health training, along with a Master’s Degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in Christian Counseling, and is presently preparing to obtain her PhD. at the University of Buffalo. She is the wife of Rev. Eugene Coplin Jr.; and together they have six children. Together they established Project L.E.E. Ministries “Attitude” Development Organization, where she is presently a community outreach Pastor for young ladies. Her husband also acknowledged the anointing of God upon her life to empower young ladies, and has been an inspiration for her in establishing the World of Girls Empowerment Center. In addition, her weekly spiritual enrichment comes from the MacAlpine Presbyterian Church, under the direction of Pastor Lee Clark and his wife Ms. Candice, located right in the heart of the Buffalo. As TC stated, “The information is out, the foundation has been laid in the urban area, and now our plan is to expand to the rural and suburban areas, this is not just an urban area empowerment, it is now extended into our rural, and suburban areas, it’s all about the world of girls.”

National Day of Prayer 2011

A Mighty Fortress

BY JONI EARECKSON TADA

The Bible spends a great deal of time talking about how mighty and magnificent God is. On almost every page, the writers of the Bible extol God as high and lifted up, great and powerful. First Chronicles 29:11 is typical, “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” You can’t miss it. God is in a class completely by Himself.

Some read I Chronicles and assume that God is on some kind of divine ego trip – but far from it! Biblical descriptions of God's power and majesty are intended to underscore how weak we are and how much we need Him. He is great… we are not. He is utterly self-sufficient... we are far from it. All those biblical descriptions of the glories of God simply underscore how desperately we need Him.

And, oh, America needs Him as never before! The United States may be a superpower on the global stage, but its citizens are, for the most part, faltering in spirit and feeble in faith. Our country today is in urgent need of help from our mighty God -- it's one reason why "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was chosen as the theme for the 2011 National Day of Prayer. To liken God to a mighty fortress is to show weak, frail human beings that their only hope for safety and security is God. “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10 TLB).

Ask anyone. The moral seams of our Republic are ripping and unraveling. As a result, our country is in the midst of great turmoil and distress. Just a few decades ago, the American public shared a moral consensus, but today, everyone "does what is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 21:2). Our schools, courts and communities grope blindly for lack of a moral compass, while ignoring the true Source of all wisdom and righteousness. Although the United States was founded on solid biblical moorings and shaped by great Christian leaders, our nation bears little resemblance to the America of our founding fathers.

Not long ago while visiting the US Capitol in Washington DC, I admired the paintings hanging in the Rotunda -- one depicts the baptism of Pocahontas; another, the signers of the Declaration of Independence gathering around an open Bible; the Pilgrims praying before sailing the Atlantic; and other paintings depict explorers planting Christian flags and crosses firmly on American soil. Each painting represents a remarkable, historic connection between the Christian faith and the United States of America. And should any organization seek to remove those paintings from the US Capitol or even eradicate “In God We Trust” from our currency or federal buildings, it can be easily argued that such Christian icons are completely consistent within the historical tradition of the United States. We are a nation founded on Christian principles.

But how far we’ve fallen! Last weekend I heard Burl Cain, warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, give a message about the various prison ministries in which his inmates are free to participate. At last count, there were more than 30 small church groups in which prisoners could take part. Warden Cain observed, “We’re free to pray in our prisons, but not in our public schools. You have to come to prison to pray on government property!”

Americans have forgotten what made this country great over the last two centuries. But we can change that. Prayer not only changes things, prayer changes people. And as honorary chairman of the National Day of Prayer for 2011, I ask you to join me in bringing the needs of our country before the Throne of God's grace. Join me in using the theme for the 2011 National Day of Prayer as fodder for faithful praying; Psalm 91:1- 2 says, "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" Envision the time when every American will respect our historic Christian traditions; look to the time when we will gladly acknowledge that God is our refuge and fortress; may every US citizen and alien within our borders place their trust in God!

The first Thursday in May is traditionally set aside for the people of this land to reflect upon the religious foundations of our country and to pray for our national and community leaders, our courts and schools, the brave men and women in our Armed Services, and for our churches and our families. I encourage you to join the National Day of Prayer efforts being planned in your own community, or gather a group and initiate an event which will welcome and provide an opportunity for the people in your community to gather on May 5th and pray for America. Thank you for being a part of the growing swell of citizens who are deeply committed to pray for our great country and its people!

CMS @ The Chapel Featuring an Impressive Lineup

     Kingdom Bound Ministries continues to attract the top talent and leaders in the Christian music industry to Western New York with this year’s Christian Musician Summit hosted annually at The Chapel at Crosspoint. This year’s event, May 13-14, features headliners Paul Baloche, John Mark McMillan, Kari Jobe, Gungor and Laura Story along with local favorites Benji and Jenna Cowart and Brothers McClurg (formerly Relevant Worship). Matt Kees, co-founder of the CMS events said, “The conferences are really designed for the whole worship team to participate in. We offer over 90 workshops for beginners to advanced musicians.”

     The musical lineup includes concerts Friday and  Saturday night featuring Paul Baloche, John Mark McMillan, and the Norm Stockton Group on Friday with Gungor, Kari Jobe, and Benji and Jenna Cowart on Saturday night. Both Gungor and McMillan are  making first time appearances as featured musicians in the now annual event at The Chapel and are considered emerging artists in Christian circles helping to redefine worship with a new sound in Christian music today. “The story of God has gotten bigger to me,” relates Gungor, who is perhaps best known for co-writing distinguished songs like “Friend of God” and the Dove Award-winning “Say So.” “We had become ‘professional’ Christians. We got to the point where we needed to figure out how to be the church in a more honest way for us.” This bigger story of God shows up on their new album, Beautiful Things in songs born of an honest journey of faith and a struggle with what should result from worship. “If leading worship is just about bringing a group of people into a room so we can get goose bumps and sing songs together, there’s not much value in that. But if leading worship is a means to an end, that we leave this place as a different kind of people, as part of a new humanity that God wants to create – the people that are caring for the widows and orphans, that aren’t bound by the systems of this world but becoming free, becoming fully engaged in our world – then that matters.”

     For McMillan who is best known for his hit single, “How He Loves”, has generated a following among younger believers who enjoy McMillan’s organic style sound. The song was successful despite the album's independent release, and has been covered by several well-known artists within the Christian music industry (David Crowder Band, Kim Walker, Todd Agnew, New Breed, Flyleaf, The Glorious Unseen). The song has sentimental meaning for McMillan, who according to a video interview published on Vimeo  wrote the song following the death of a dear friend who, during a church staff meeting, prayed "If it would shake the youth of a nation, I will give my life today." McMillan was awakened in the middle of the same night by a phone call; the friend had been killed in a car crash. He wrote How He Loves the next morning as, "a celebration of a God who would want to hang with us...despite who we are". The song took more than a year to surface in the Christian mainstream, but has gone on to become a commonly played worship song on Christian radio and throughout church organizations.”

     The two day event features over 90 workshops in the following tracks, Leaders (Worship/Pastoral), Teams, Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums/Percussion, keyboards, winds, songwriters/indie artists, audio, video, lighting and new for this year are seminar for the arts featuring presentations by Ben Pearson on Photography/Film, Mike Overlin on photography, Allison Allen on drama, Jimmy Abegg on painting, Matt Gould on film/video, Holt Vaughn and team are covering Graphic Design.