Dan and Connie Cooper
are both MMR alumni. Dan was one of the first two students of the Apprentice program in 1983 and stayed on staff to head up the Horse Program. He married Connie the following year and they served together on staff for five years and then left MMR so Dan could attend Moody Bible Institute. While at Moody, Dan also joined the Army Reserves, serving for 5 years in the Army Corps of Engineers. Upon his graduation from Moody with a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible Theology, they returned to the Ranch in 1994 and have been on staff since then. Dan now serves as the Director of MMR School of Discipleship (formerly the C.A.M.P. program). He has his Master’s Degree in Biblical Counseling through Trinity Seminary and College of the Bible. Connie has a Bachelors Degree in English through Thomas Edison State College and along with homeschooling their three children, is currently heading up the Food Service Department at MMR.
Come and see the works of God who is awesome in His deeds towards the sons of men. Psalm 66:5
APRIL 2012
NEWS FROM THE COOPERS
143 Country Village Lane, Spring Creek, PA 16436
814-663-0404 E-Mail: conniecooper1026@gmail.com
Cooper’s Newsletter with pictures.
DORMANT LIFE – RESURRECTION LIFE – ABUNDANT LIFE
With spring’s arrival, we watch the world emerge from its dormant stage and come back to life. As each bud emerges, it is a wonderful illustration of the life of a believer; once “dead in sin”, and yet, always having the potential of new birth within, now redeemed and raised into new life, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Each spring provides a visual reminder of salvation and the regeneration of the believer – a return to living life to the fullest, abundantly, now producing evidence of growth and eventually fruit. Christ tells us in John 10:10b, “I am come that they might have life, and might have it more abundantly.” Throughout this Easter season, may we all remember the life, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord – and the opportunity He provides for each of us to enjoy the abundant life provided by Christ… abundant in grace, abundant in blessings, abundant in opportunities to produce much fruit for the kingdom of God!
NEWS FROM THE COOPERS!
Coopers are doing well, and trying to finish up spring projects so they can get ready for summer. Garrett is still in Texas and had the opportunity in January to start working for a cutting horse trainer outside of Dallas/Fort Worth. He has settled in to the new area and job, and is enjoying getting to know his new boss. We were able to visit him in February, as we traveled to the wedding of an alumni apprentice. We enjoyed for the opportunity to see him and are grateful for the safety God provided as we traveled. Joe and Alana enjoyed the winter – Joe was able to attend the SALT conference and Alana enjoyed going to Snow Camp – even without snow that weekend! Joe has been enjoying learning graphic and web design. They are both busy finishing up their school year and looking forward to summer activities. We appreciate all your prayers and love – you are a blessing to us! May God continue to bless you all!
WINTER HIGHLIGHTS - S.A.L.T. AND SNOW CAMPS: MMR’s winter events were well attended, and we were excited about the record attendance at our S.A.L.T. leadership conference – with over 40 teenagers attending sessions on developing a Biblical worldview, Christ-like character and leadership abilities. This conference gives high school students the opportunity to learn principles of spiritual maturity and leadership. Now, with spring’s arrival, weekend retreats will be starting soon. As we prepare for upcoming ministry opportunities, please pray that God would bless the ministry and work in the lives and hearts of those who come.
SCHOOL OF DISCIPLESHIP: The students have done well over winter and we love to see growth and hear how God has been at work in their lives. After SALT, some comments included “Fear is a powerful thing… when examining my life I can see how my actions reveal my beliefs and my fear…”; “I need to deal with bitterness in my life and start forgiving…”; and “I am being pushed from my comfort zone and am using those uncomfortable times to grow in faith.” We are excited to see all that the Lord will continue to do in their lives. The students are on spring break right now, and when they return, their focus will be on preparing for the summer camp ministry. Pray for them all as they continue on the path God has for them.
SUMMER CAMP ENROLLMENT UP!: Enrollment for summer camp is already 30% higher than last year at this time, which means that MMR is already discussing options for increasing bunkhouse capacity for this summer. MMR also plans to continue to increase the scholarship program and we are very excited to see how God continues to allow us to reach out to our community with the gospel of Christ. Many volunteer positions are still available – so check out the website for opportunities to come join us!
AROUND THE RANCH: Upcoming events include a Horse Lover’s Retreat, Chuckwagon Dinner, Father/Son Retreat, our annual Open House, CHA Clinic and much more. Check out the website at miraclemountainranch.org. MMR’s annual OPEN HOUSE is on May 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - If you live in the area, we’d love to have you come join us for the day for a Message from the Mount, vaulting demonstration, trail rides, crosscut saw competition, cook-out, and much, much more.
The on-going focus of MMR is to serve God through its work and ministry. It has been exciting to see the many ways God is blessing the ministry here, through volunteers, guests, family and friends. In March we had a fantastic turnout for the Media Summit, a weekend focusing on learning how to glorify God through media. Joe and I were able to attend together and enjoyed it very much. Along with Ranch-sponsored retreats, MMR has many other church and youth group retreats scheduled this spring. And, there is still room for you to join us too!
We are so very grateful for your faithful prayers, love and support for us here at MMR. You are a blessing to us – and we are thankful for all that you do. Come visit anytime and see what we do – and what God is doing – here at MMR!
Love, Dan, Connie, Garrett, Joe & Alana
PRAYER AND PRAISE:
¨ Pray for God’s provision for the Bath House Project at MMR – that God would provide for it and the ministry of MMR.
¨ Praise for God’s faithful provision for us all, and His safety as we travel, work and serve at MMR.
¨ Pray for apprentice students – as they prepare for summer camp ministry.
¨ Praise for safety as we traveled to apprentice weddings and to visit Garrett.
¨ Pray for the upcoming spring retreats – that God would work in a mighty way in the lives of those who come.
¨ Praise for God’s continued faithfulness to us as we serve Him here at MMR.
¨ Pray for continued wisdom as we raise our children – as they grow and mature.
As always, we continue to update our mailing list. If you would like to receive our newsletter via e-mail; please send your e-mail address to conniecooper1026@gmail.com.
All MMR staff raise their own support to be a part of this ministry. With the downward turn of the economy, some of our supporters have found themselves in the position of needing to reduce our support. If you would like to be a part of our support team, the process is simple. All gifts are tax deductible and we receive 100% of all gifts designated for us. Checks should be made out to MMR, then designated for us on a separate piece of paper and sent to MMR at 101 Rodeo Drive, Spring Creek, PA 16436. Gifts can also be made on-line, through the Ranch’s website at mmrm.org – just use the links to go to the staff pages.
A FURTHER UPDATE ON AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT:
LITTLE IS MUCH
WHEN GOD IS IN IT!
Two separate times in the New Testament, we find stories of Jesus feeding a multitude of people, with just a few small loaves and fish. What a remarkable example of God’s provision – as He blesses what was offered and multiplies it in order to bless a much greater number of people. Here at MMR, we have often seen God work in just the same way, with many small gifts making it possible for big things to be done. Now, we are looking to God to do it again!
From its earliest years, Miracle Mountain Ranch watched God provide in this way. In April of 1963, two couples made a down payment on 600+ acres in northwestern Pennsylvania, and, in faith, they believed that God’s supply would be sufficient as the ministry of Miracle Mountain Ranch was established. Since that time, MMR has been supported through love gifts from concerned churches and individuals, and Miracle Mountain Ranch has grown through God’s grace and constant provision, undergirded by the prayers and personal sacrifice of those with a vision. Over the years, the facilities were expanded to meet the demands of the ever-increasing enrollment and God continued to bless. The Ranch will soon be celebrating its 50th year of ministry, and as we look back over the past 50 years, we marvel at the many ways the Lord has faithfully supplied for the many needs of the ministry.
Recently, the Ranch has found itself at a critical juncture of its ministry. There has been a transition in leadership, the new responsibility of a mortgage, and yet, at the same time, summer enrollment is on the increase. Last summer, MMR saw a 17% increase in rancher attendance. This spring, registrations are already 30% over the early registrations from last year. Last year, one older bunkhouse that had been out of use for years was remodeled in order to handle the increased enrollment. This year, MMR had to consider how to find additional space for this summer as well. There is one other bunkhouse that has been used as storage for sports equipment that can be remodeled for this summer. But there was also a need to look long-term. For many years, plans were being made to renovate the central restroom facility. The central restroom was built in the 1970’s, and needed major renovation to fix a deteriorating foundation, and to meet increasing standards of privacy and sanitation, as well as to improve convenience for guests. As the Executive Team discussed plans for remodeling the restrooms, they also discussed the feasibility of using the money needed to remodel the restroom to begin building a new facility that could more fully meet the needs of the expanding ministry. A new facility that could provide modern, new restrooms, as well as additional bunkhouse space, room for a larger nurses station/infirmary, a common area for recreation or storage, and additional laundry facility to meet the growing needs of camp.
Along with recognizing the need of an updated restroom facility, MMR has a goal of seeing summer camp enrollment double within the next ten years. With that goal in mind, and with much prayer, counsel with the board, and discussion among the staff, the decision was made to step out in faith and replace the existing bathrooms. This new restroom facility will be vital and necessary part of making that goal a reality. The old bathrooms have been demolished and construction has begun, with the intent of having the main restroom facility (bathroom and showers) ready by the start of camp. We are all very excited about this project, but as before, we are dependent upon God’s provision for this project. The total cost for this project is $250,000 and MMR finds itself in the position of again looking to God expectantly to faithfully provide for this need in the ministry. Even as MMR began this project, it knew it would only be the grace and provision of God that would bring it to completion. God provided enough finances to begin, and once again, MMR is stepping out in faith, knowing that we are dependent upon His hand for each step of this project. We are looking forward – with faith – to the blessing of His provision for this project.
WHAT WAS….. Any of you who have been involved in the Ranch are probably familiar with the central restroom facilities. Built in the 70’s, they were already in service when Connie came for the first time as a rancher in 1976. They were a blessing when they were built, they have met the need for many years, but in recent years, they were also the most mentioned item on our guest survey forms under “areas needing improvement.”
WHAT IS….. is an exciting opportunity for us to walk in faith as we watch God work, and an opportunity for you as well. There are several reasons we wanted to let you know about this project. Because you are all familiar with our ministry here at MMR, we know that many of you have prayed regularly for us personally as well as for this ministry. We know that the prayers of God’s people will be an extremely important and vital part of seeing this project come to completion.
Along with your prayers, there are several other ways you can help. In order to get this project finished on time, it is going to take many hours of labor. The Operations Crew at MMR has spent hours in preparation, planning, demolition and now beginning construction. Soon the project will be at a point where volunteer labor would be a great blessing in seeing the work progress quickly. If you, your youth group, or your church would be interested in spending a day, weekend, or week volunteering your time to help with the Bathhouse Project. If your skills aren’t in construction, volunteer help in other areas frees up our operations crew to focus on the bathroom project. If you want to volunteer, just give the Ranch a call at 814-664-7673 or e-mail the project manager at markbrennermmr@gmail.com. Every building you see at MMR was completed with the help of volunteer labor – a vivid testimony to the goodness of God, worked out through the hands of His people. It is an opportunity for each of you…to come join us in our ministry. We’d love to have you come be a part of our ministry and catch the vision of what God is doing at Miracle Mountain Ranch.
WHAT IS TO COME…. What is to come is the most exciting part…exponential ministry outreach. As we add to the facilities of MMR, we add to the ministry outreach of MMR. But growth comes with a price. So we again remind ourselves that, “Little Is Much When God Is In It!” With the example of Christ’s multiplying the loaves and fishes in our minds and hearts, we know that God can take the smallest gift and multiply it to meet the need – for His glory. If any of you can give financially, your gift – of any size – WOULD BE A REAL BLESSING!
However, we also know that not everyone is in a position to give financially. There is one other way you can help, and that is to share this need with those around you. Each of you has a personal connection with others who may be interested and in a position to give to this need. Maybe your place of business has a “Matching Fund” program, where they would match any gift you give. Maybe a friend, or family member would be interested in helping or being a part of this project. Maybe your church or mission’s committee would be able to make a one-time gift or provide ongoing support towards this need. As you pray for MMR and this project, please share it with others, so that God’s people have the opportunity to be a part of that which is to come!
All gifts are tax-deductible and can be made on-line through the website at miraclemountainranch.org or sent directly to MMR at 101 Rodeo Drive, Spring Creek, PA 16436; with a note that it is for the Bathhouse Project. Also check the website for regular updates on the project and rejoice with us as we watch God do a mighty work!
