MNA ShortTerm Missions

Ridge Haven Conference and Retreat Center

Ridge Haven

Looking for a challenge that equips your team for service that glorifies God, and also provides a place of rest, refuge and renewal for others?

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) established the Ridge Haven Conference and Retreat Center in 1978 as a year-round ministry outreach to individuals, families, churches, PCA and other ministry organizations. Whether you are on your own or in a group, we hope this can be your place for any reason or season. At Ridge Haven, you are surrounded by God's wondrous nature -- we are simply the caretakers. Spiritual rejuvenation is as important as physical relaxation and our goal is to provide the means for you to have the opportunity for both.

The Lord's people both at home and abroad have need of your help. Ridge Haven missions projects provide a special US-based opportunity for individuals, churches, presbyteries, Men of the Covenant groups, WIC groups, Sunday School classes, youth groups, RUF, and other campus groups. All individuals and/or groups are provided free lodging during participation in Ridge Haven work and missions projects. Meals are not provided.

The work that is performed serves not only present needs but future generations. Ministry in, among, and to the Lord's people receives and gives blessings not only for the present but for eternity. Since 1994 more that a dozen different projects have been completed including cafeteria renovation, Iverson Lodge renovation and new porch, new roofs on five buildings, new re-shelter steps, trail improvements, and the entrance-island landscaping.

We invite you and/or your group to join the hundreds who have made Ridge Haven Missions Projects their own mission trip and project.

**Special Bulletin:

Ridge Haven work week - Volunteers are wanted and needed to help with a tree-debris clean up. Work will be done each day March 3-8. Work hours or length of work times are subject to the volunteer. Helpers are needed for any one day or as many days as you can stay. Free lunch and overnight accommodations will be available as needed. Other weekends may be available.

Missions Projects:

	Special Dining Hall Projects During the late winter and spring of 2007, special crews consisting of skilled carpenters, an electrician, a plumber, and a stone mason will be needed to construct and reconstruct several new features to the dining hall including new stairs, decks, and stone work. "Helpers" will also be needed to do these projects.

	Project: Build outdoor bank-steps at Averett building Project description: Building railroad-tie steps with handrails into 50 feet of sloping bank at the side of the Averett building. **Material costs: Pressure treated 2x4's and 4x4's for handrails. (Anticipated cost less than $200.) Anticipated work-hours to complete: 2-3 days for 2-3 people.

	Project: Landscape RV park Project description: Based on previously adopted landscape re-design and needed heavy equipment use, plant and transplant bushes and trees; clear areas of underbrush; create clear, hazard-free, attractive path to near-by laundry house; seed and straw appropriate areas. Material costs: Fertilizers, seeds, straw, heavy equipment contract, etc. (anticipated cost less than $1,500). Anticipated work-hours: 3-4 working days for 4-6 people.

	Project: Control soil erosion and landscape Averett-Robeson banks and yard (Project partially completed)* Project description: Planting and transplanting bushes, and trees according to previously approved landscape design; repairing small eroded and washed out areas; putting down wood chips, etc. **Material costs: Fertilizers and plants, etc. (Anticipated cost less than $2,000 for landscape-size shrubs and trees.) Anticipated man hours: 2-3 working days for 3-5 persons.

	Project: Control erosion and landscape Cassels Building front parking lot bank Project description: Site preparation including repairing eroded and washed out areas, seeding, and strawing. **Material costs: Negligible. Anticipated man hours: Half day for 1-2 persons.

	Project: Make and place split-rail fence at 3-4 sites Material costs: none Anticipated work-hours to complete: 3-5 days for 2-3 people (machine splitter available).

	Project: Paint building external siding and trim Project description: Ridge Haven has nine (9) buildings that need external painting. The sizes of the buildings vary. Some are one-story; some are two-story and higher. *Material costs: Paint and supplies. (Anticipated cost less than $300 per building.) Anticipated man hours: On an average, 2-3 days for 2-3 persons per building.

	Project: Landscape Office Project description: Planting new plants according to provided landscape design. **Material costs: Plants, fertilizer, straw, etc. (Anticipated cost $1,500.) Anticipated man hours: 2-3 working days for 2-3 persons.

	Project: Upgrade miscellaneous landscape and flower beds Project description: Pruning, weeding, working soil, fertilizing, installing new plants, mulching, etc. **Material costs: Plants, fertilizer, straw, etc. (Anticipated cost $1,500.) Anticipated man hours: 2-3 working days for 2-3 persons.

	Project: Grass seed Averett - Robeson drain field Project description: Site preparation including repairing eroded and washed out areas; grass seeding and strawing (approximately two acres). *Material costs: plants, fertilizer, and mulch. (Anticipated cost less than $200.) Anticipated man hours: 1-2 working days for 1-3 persons.

	Project: Develop new trails Project description: Cutting and clearing new trails through wilderness areas on Ridge Haven property. **Material costs: Negligible. Anticipated man hours: 5-10 working days for 6-20 persons.

*Indicates a higher priority than other projects.
**Contributions toward the cost of materials and supplies are welcome but NOT necessary for the acceptance of a project.

Lodging:
All individuals and/or groups are provided free lodging during participation in Ridge Haven work and missions projects.

Cost:
The fees you pay are for the sole purpose of covering costs for the ministry or church with whom you are serving; MNA receives no income or financial benefit from the fees you pay.

Need more information?

Contact Arklie Hooten ahooten@pcanet.org / 678-294-3011 or

Sherry Lanier

MNA ShortTerm Missions and Disaster Response Facilitator
678-294-3012
slanier@pcanet.org

Learn more about Ridge Haven: www.ridgehaven.org

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New Projects Announced

MNA ShortTerm Missions bridges ministries with needs to those individuals who can help meet that need. The partnerships created when we collectively work towards goals that advance the kingdom are powerful ones. Some new projects added recently include Restore St. Louis and Hurricane Relief work in Columbia MS. Click here for a full list of ministry opportunities you can become involved in.