THE ARK Christian Ministries Inc

We desire to transform the world and culture through the alumni of THE ARK.

Our Strategy: \nWe believe that when people spend time with God, seeking the mind and heart of God, He molds them to better fulfill His mission for their lives. THE ARK\u2019s programs are based on Biblical principles that help people grow. We create a community everywhere God leads where God is in charge. When we put God first and accept His authority, we return to the perfect order of creation and become what He created us to be\u2014dependent on and in relationship with Him and other people.\n\nWe know that immersing young people in a mission-focused environment puts a face on the work of Christ. THE ARK helps kids understand their call and translate it to the rest of life through experiential teaching of God\u0027s Word and providing exposure to how the rest of the world lives. THE ARK\u2019s Spirit-filled atmosphere allows youth to experience a temporary community with God in charge. Radical growth happens as THE ARK provides opportunity for mentoring/discipleship within community and in cross-cultural settings. THE ARK\u2019s community of alumni is changing the world, and we continue to support their work.

Camps * Guest Groups * Internships * Missions\n\nCamps\nOur largest ministry is our yearly summer camp sessions, offered to kindergartners through graduated twelfth grade students. Sessions vary in length from one day to six days and include day and overnight camps. Our goal is to share the love of God with youth and help them grow and mature in their faith wherever they are on that journey. We foster \u2018eternal conversations\u2019 where kids begin to ask the \u2018big\u2019 questions as they live, eat, play and worship together in community. We also partner with an area ministry that provides overnight camp sessions for teens and adults who have special needs. In the summer of 2017, we offered 35 camp sessions and had 1,110 campers total. Summer 2018 brought 952 campers in 34 camp sessions.\n\nGuest Groups\nTHE ARK is available to guest groups year-round, though on a very limited basis during the summer. We serve schools, youth groups, adult retreats, families and businesses. Our staff works with each group to put together the most effective package of lodging, dining and activities. We offer a variety of activities, including canoeing, kayaking, basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, hayride, animal barn, paintball rental equipment, team-building activities, and high and low ropes elements (inside and outside). Guest groups make their own schedules, working with THE ARK as needed for guided activities and facility availability. THE ARK host provides opportunities and openness to significant spiritual conversations with guest group members. One of our most popular programs for guest groups is our Group Initiatives Program. Utilizing our indoor and outdoor low and high elements, this program is a challenge course designed to develop team building, problem solving, leadership, and communication skills in youth and adults of all ages. In 2017 we hosted 3,100 guests.\n\nInternships\nTHE ARK\u2019s two-year internship program focuses on discipleship through faith-building and a mission-focused approach to life. During the first year of the program, interns live at THE ARK and are involved in each area of the ministry, including programming, food service, office, guest services, stewardship and maintenance. During the second year, interns spend seven months working overseas in a cross-cultural setting and being mentored by missionaries in the field. The main expectation for them is growth. \n\nEach summer THE ARK also has 12-16 interns.\n\nMissions \nThere are currently 3 legs of this focus:\n- Annual Summer Missionary in Residence: Each summer an international missionary lives on site at THE ARK and shares with campers about his/her work in the part of the world where they serve. \n\n- Missions Sending Agency: Currently THE ARK has two missionaries who serve around the world under the umbrella of THE ARK. (Note: Their finances are completely separate from THE ARK\u0027s.)\n\n- ARK Alumni Serving all over the world

THE ARK Christian Ministries traces its roots back to 1944, when four men in a fishing boat on McClure\u2019s Lake in north central Indiana envisioned a camp to reach and teach the next generation for Christ. Their vision became a reality in 1948, when the camp was incorporated as Pearson\u2019s Mill Christian Assembly (named after its location). The camp\u2019s original intent was to provide a facility where children from twelve Christian churches could learn about the Bible and enjoy recreational activities in a summer camp setting. \n\nIn 1965, the camp relocated to its present location in Converse, Indiana. At that time, twenty-six churches were supporting camp programs for fourth through twelfth graders in six summer camp sessions.\n\nIn the late 70\u2019s the name was changed to Rainbow Christian Camp to address the confusion with location after the move. The name was to reflect the promises of God as He rescues and reconciles His people. More recently in 2016 the name was changed to THE ARK Christian Ministries giving clarity to the fact that this ministry is year round and focused on reaching the whole world through various means including Christian camping.\n\nIn 2001, Rainbow Christian Camp began to experience significant growth in year round retreats and conferences. The Board of Directors decided to build a conference center to address the shortened summer due to year round school and to reach even more people for Christ. We expanded our ministries to include retreats, conferences, special events, after school programs, day care, school mentoring programs, and specialty camps.\n\nToday, around 1,100 young people and over 350 adults participate in summer programs at THE ARK each year. Additionally, 1,300\u002B people share in retreats and conferences that occur year round. There are 55\u002B member churches and over 75 partner churches who participate by sending campers, volunteers, or funding.\n\nOne of the most exciting things about our work at THE ARK is seeing participants leave as changed individuals who go out into the world to build the Kingdom of God. We encourage alumni to stay in contact with the ministry, which provides an ongoing faith community and fosters deeper spiritual growth. In addition, since THE ARK exposes campers to missionaries and mission-related lifestyles, we encourage our alumni to seek opportunities for mission work. In this way, THE ARK continues to build relationships with missionaries and missionary partners.