Patty May has been on staff at Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions for thirteen years. First, in the position of Food Service Director, and now as Dean of Women for the Ministry Apprentice Program.
The Ministry Apprentice Program is a specialized college level leadership training program focused on preparing individuals for effective leadership and discipleship roles. This distinctive program under the umbrella of MMRM encompasses structured classroom teaching, specialized skill training, a management/ leadership practicum, horsemanship, choretimes and a variety of seminars and supportive work experiences.
Patty processes the applications and interviews prospective students, tracts grades, produces transcripts, and handles all aspects of Graduation and Orientation weekends. She is involved with counseling, mentoring, and discipling apprentices.
Patty has traveled to Africa and South Korea, speaking to women’s groups and Home School Conferences world-wide. She is also a Senior Editor for Homeschool Friends. She works with South Korean students on-line who are learning English as a second language. She holds a Master’s Degree in Christian Education. Patty speaks to local, state, national and international groups.
Patty May’s MMR web update Spring 2012
Faith Biblical Counseling Conference Lafayette, Indiana
In the middle of February, Roger and Cathy Piger, myself and the four second year students took off for Indiana for a week of practical training at one of America’s largest biblical counseling conferences.
Throughout the week dynamic key leaders from around the nation gathered to instruct and equip the 1,700 ministry professionals and lay leaders that came to skillfully and confidently learn to lovingly minister God’s life-changing Word to those looking for answers. The conference included 6 tracts: a foundational level, two structural levels, one advanced, and finally the NANC exam track. The last track was developing case studies. Some of the classes I took in the first track were: Key Elements of Biblical Counseling, Counseling Philosophies, Depression, Forgiveness, Anger and Fear, and Rules of Communication. We also heard some great speakers., including Steve Viars, pastor, writer and president of the Biblical Counseling Coalition; Randy Patten, the Executive Director of the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors; James Macdonald; and Elyse Fitzpatrick, an author who is NANC certified and serves on the council board. I came away from the conference challenged and with a vision to continue until I had my NANC certification. I am already studying and preparing for the conference in 2013! I Praise the Lord for the opportunity I had to attend. It further equipped me for the Lord’s work in the Dean’s Office at Miracle Mountain Ranch.
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9
Only ONE Nursing Position Unfilled!
There has been a tremendous response to the need for nurses this summer during summer camp. As of this newsletter there is only one position that has not been filled. I am still looking for one nurse to fill a position the third week of camp. That would run from July 1st through Rodeo on the 5th. You wouldn’t have to depart until Saturday. If interested we can place 2 of your children in camp so you are free to do nursing duties. Please Contact me!
3CA Western Sectional at White Sulphur Springs
This year our Western Sectional in Christian Camping was held at the new facility at White Sulphur Springs. Our Programming majors and about 8 staff members attended this year. 236 people from Christian camps in PA attended the three-day event. This is the last year that I ran the Food Service Track. One of the classes I taught was “Creative Cupcakes.” Next year I will be recruiting speakers for the Devotional Track. We had speakers covering 8 tracks: Food Service, Maintenance, Devotional, Women’s Ministries, Marketing, Programming, Camp Ministry and Administration. Each Track had four sessions. The Fireside also included an exhibitors Hall Tuesday afternoon, a Banquet Tuesday night by Sysco, and lots of networking with other camps. The students that went from here participated in impromptu skits, sessions from the tracks and general sessions, helping with babysitting and resetting the dining hall. Next year the Sectional will be held at Rhodes Grove. The theme will be “Thy Kingdom Come.” Dr. Terry Thomas will be the keynote speaker. It was a real praise that so many of us could attend and that travel was on dry roads with good weather!
Speaking at Faith Community in Freeport, PA
What a privilege to visit Faith Community in Freeport, PA. this spring. I was able to take my 3 students Taylor, Emily, and Dani. Fellow staffer, Rachel, also joined us. Together we all presented the School of Discipleship through music, testimonies, slides and skits.
Easter Break– Students to Mexico on a Missions Trip/ I go to Bob and Lana’s
The last day of the month brings a closure to classes for our students until the middle of April. Some of them will head south of the border for two weeks to minister to a tribe back in the mountains. Mark Brenner will lead the group that is made up of current and past students, plus MMR staff. I am looking forward to seeing my family in Ohio.
From Pride to Humility
Sanctification is entering into a dependent effort with God towards change into Christ likeness. Phil. 3:12-14 The focus in the School of Discipleship this past month has been on “Godliness” from 2 PE 1:5-8. God commands that we should “ ‘exercise’ ourselves unto godliness” according to 1 Ti 4:7-8. The Greek word for exercise (gumnazo) is where we get the word gymnasium and gymnastics. It means with prayer for God’s help to put to strenuous effort in become more Christ-like. “Putting off” pride requires confession and repentance or putting away: Anger, ungratefulness, perfectionism, talking too much, seeking independence, seeking control, being unteachable, sarcastic, hurtful or degrading, lack of forgiveness, lack of compassion, lack of Biblical prayer, being impatient, jealous, envious, deceitful, disrespect for authority, to name a few I’m working on. “Putting on” humility is choosing to exercise trusting God’s character, focusing on Jesus Christ, being overwhelmed with God’s Goodness and Grace, being thankful and grateful, gentile and patient, esteeming others better than myself, being a good listener, giving good reports, having a teachable spirit, serving, honoring authority, and being honest.
It is a daily conscious effort to avoid sin and determine specific ways to apply righteousness alternatives in areas I have patterns of previous failure. Confess /repent!
Praises and Prayer Requests:
- Praising the Lord for my oldest daughter’s hip surgery completed/recovery in process
- Praising the Lord that Melissa and Tanis will visit the Ranch in July
- Praising the Lord for finances to visit my family over Easter
- Continue to pray for the students as they prepare and go to Mexico
- Traveling mercies as I travel over Easter to Cincinnati
- Wisdom in use of my time as I study for NANC, and preparation of the new class with revised contracts, handbooks and orientation
Thanks you for your prayers and support of God’s work through me. I am always updating my mailing list so if you want to be added to or dropped from the list please email me at
pmmay@mmrm.org
Blessings in the Lord!
Patty May
