The Encourager Fall 2026

Next Zoom Meeting

Wednesday November 18, 2026
- 11:00 am CST -
RSVP

Invite a friend & Save the Date!

Pay Membership Donation

Join! What are you waiting for?

Join Facebook Group

NCOURAGER

THE

FALL 2026

Encouragement Circle Home

The Bulletin - Summer 2021

The Encouragement Circle (TEC) seeks to unite individuals who have demonstrated leadership, a high level of involvement, and a passion for the ministry of the Christian Camp and Conference Association. We aim to offer fellowship and updates to its participants and provide opportunities to help support and encourage the current leaders of the Christian Camp and Conference Association.

Twice a year TEC sends The Encourager to keep everyone updated on events in the world of CCCA and beyond. We also hope to provide insights into a few of the members and fun facts about our shared heritage.

These newsletters are designed to keep the TEC community connected between Zoom calls which we plan for the Spring and Fall of each year.

Thank you for your years of service and for continuing to support the great work of CCCA. If you have a story to tell, a little-known fact to share, or an encouraging word to offer, please feel free to send submissions to Stan White or post to our Facebook Group Page (more details below)

Preview Zoom Nov 18

Preview our next Zoom Gathering

by xxx

RSVP for Nov 18 Zoom Meeting

The Camp Photo

by Stan White, The Encouragement Circle Chairman

I first met him as a summer staffer over 50 years ago. He came faithfully every Monday morning to take the camp picture. His easy going spirit and humbleness along with producing quality camp photos, endeared himself to the 35 camps he visited every week here in our local mountains for many years. We became friends, especially since he did Angi's and my wedding photographs plus family photos through the years.

The camp photo took on a life of its own. Signatures of staff, often including a favorite Scripture passage, along with new found friends populated the back of each camp photo.

It always amazed me the great gift my friend Gary gave to thousands and thousands of campers, young and old, through the years. One look at a camp photo could bring back a flood of camp memories along with seeing many faces that generate the proverbial question, "I wonder what they are doing now?" How many times have we heard people say years later that they still have their camp pictures. When we had our national CCI conference several decades ago in New Orleans, it turned out the general manager of the Hilton there still had his camp picture and spoke fondly of those formative days he had at Forest Home.

As we look at the pictures of some of us in our earlier, more energetic years that are included above, there are great stories behind them. When One Eye (Gary's camp name) passed away last month and we came together to celebrate a life well lived, especially as a follower of Christ, we were reminded of the power of a picture to help campers and staff remember not only the fun and excitement of camp but also those transforming life changing moments that last for a lifetime. I continue to be amazed how even just a quick glance at a picture can flood our hearts and minds with the privilege each of us had in creating so many rich moments. Enjoy celebrating as your camp pictures help you recall God's goodness, grace, hope and mercy in your life and service in camp and conference ministry.

Hope on the Horizon

by Dr. John Stewart

Christian camping is focused on bringing young people to a saving knowledge of Christ and instilling in young believers a desire to grow in their faith. But what worked in the past needs to be updated to reach kids in the 21st century. Surveys (e.g., Barna) find that two out of three students who enter the university as professing Christians will walk away from their faith before they graduate. Many factors contribute to this alarming statistic, but there is evidence that the tide is changing, with young believers increasingly wanting to live out the Gospel and reach their peers.

Two examples illustrate there is hope on the horizon. First is Ratio Christi, a campus student-faculty alliance with regular meetings at more than 100 universities across America where Christians and non-Christians hear the evidence for Christianity from trained Christian apologists. Second is Turning Point USA Faith, a Christ-focused arm of the conservative organization. The late founder, Charlie Kirk, was being trained in apologetics, and he showed young believers how to boldly proclaim and defend the Gospel.

We are in an age where it is more important than ever to fulfill the command of 1 Peter 3:15, “Be ready to make a defense for the hope that is within you.” Christian leaders are called to be “able to teach” (1 Tim 3:1) and we are called to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim 4:5). Apologetics is a species of evangelism and is a way to love God with our minds (Luke 10:27). Every camp and church should be teaching not only what Christianity believes, but also why we know it is true, namely the evidence for the reliability of Scripture and Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. There is a growing harvest of young people coming to Christ. I pray that our camps and churches are ready to disciple them and that this movement of the Lord will increase.

Dr. John Stewart is a well-known speaker, author, and teacher of apologetics. He travels to Africa often as well as many other countries. John was the board chairman of Camp Berachah Ministries and attended and spoke at several CCCA conferences, he is a strong supporter of Christian camping. John is a lawyer, pastor and author and now focuses on teaching Christian apologetics to all ages.

Hope on the Horizon

CCI-WW Update

Update from Christian Camping International

by Bill Fernald

xxx

In Memoria

Sadly, from time to time, we lose friends who have made significant contributions to Christian camping. The Encouragement Circle would like to commemorate their lives. If you know of friends who have passed away in the past year who you would like to remember, please send us a brief statement of their life and link to their obituary. This issue we remember Jim Behling, Neil Fichthorn, and Enoch Olson

Jim Behling

by xx

James Howard Behling

August 30, 1946 - July 5, 2026

James "Jim" Behling is proceeded in death by his father, Ralph Titus Behling, and mother, Rita Clancy Behling.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Pam Finkes Behling; sons Todd Howard Behling (Shana) and Tobin James Behling (Jennifer); grandchildren Brittney Behling Marshall (Corey), Kennedy Behling, and Trinity Behling; and beloved extended family members, Carlos Richard Hernandez and Brian Keith DeRoven.

Jim grew up in San Mateo, California, where he was a Drum Major at San Mateo High School. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving in the US Navy on the USS Ranger (CVA-61). Jim then moved with his family to College Station, TX, where he attended Texas A&M University (Class of 1972), earning a Graduate Degree in Zoology and Parks & Recreation Management.

While living in College Station, Jim founded Associated Brokers Real Estate Agency and was a founding partner of Texas Commerce Bank and also served as Board Chair of the City of College Station Planning & Zoning Commission. He began his ministry journey by serving on the Board of Directors for Young Life and becoming a youth leader at Frontier Ranch Camp in Buena Vista, CO.

In 1986, the family moved to New Braunfels, TX, where Jim continued his ministry work by joining T Bar M Adventure Camps/Center for Christian Growth as General Manager. He later founded Deer Creek Camp in Medina, TX, and loved being known around camp as "Papa Bear." His primary principle was teaching the "I'm Third" lifestyle-centering on putting God first, others second, and ourselves third. This is a Christlike character quality that cultivates servant leadership and selfless life choices. Jim also served on the Board of Directors for Christian Camping International (CCI) and the Camping Association for Mutual Progress (CAMP), helping to strengthen Christian summer camp ministries across the country.

Jim enjoyed running—completing several 1/2 marathons--along with trout fishing and playing golf. Above all, he cherished spending time in Telluride, CO, where he and Pam spent as much time as possible from 1978 until his passing. There, they were members of Alpine Chapel, a community that was close to their hearts.

Jim "Papa Bear" will be remembered for his generous heart, contagious encouragement, and lifelong commitment to helping others discover their purpose in Jesus Christ. His legacy will live on through his family and the countless lives he touched through love, servant leadership and steadfast faith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Telluride YoungLife or Alpine Chapel Church's Beacon Program in Telluride, CO, which is an outreach program serving young seasonal workers.

Neil Fichthorn

by Bob Kobielush

A TRIBUTE: REMEMBERING NEIL FICHTHORN AS A COLLEAGUE
January 15, 1935-----April 11, 2026
(Written by Bob Kobielush exclusively for The Encouragement Circle.

Neil’s obituary consists of 763 words. Only nine words referred to his service in CCI/USA. “One-liners” often have a rich heritage from which they are derived. Such is the case with Neil’s participation as a leader among us.

Neil was always a supportive and participative member of CCI/USA both individually and as the CEO of two strong member organizations: Gull Lake Ministries, MI and Sandy Cove Ministries, MD. During his tenure at Sandy Cove he played a pivotal role in the association. Nothing demonstrated this more than his stellar leadership as the elected CCI/USA Board Chairman in 1994 and then serving the typical 6-year term cycle…elect—Chair—past.

Neil was a focused, strategic and organized leader. IF meetings were necessary, they started and ended on time, had a clear agenda with desired outcomes, and yet he was not rigid…a rare quality. He also possessed a good sense of humor, so necessary for a good leader to succeed. If you want to see and hear some of this humor, and his musical abilities, go to YouTube and access Neil W. Fichthorn Memorial Service. If you can’t watch the full service, watch minutes 13:46---17:48. You’ll enjoy.

If I were to reflect on each Board Chairman’s tenure, I could isolate some unique issues and styles that attended each one’s time of leadership. Obviously, there was a history that preceded their leadership and follow-up that spilled into the next Chairman’s term. (Dan Bolin preceded and Dave Auker succeeded Neil’s term as Chairman.) So, when I attempt to isolate Neil’s contributions, many of you were also intimately involved in shaping and executing on these issues too.

In addition to the “typical” (which some of you know is not characteristic of what was transpiring during these years) responsibilities that attended the role of a CCI/USA Board Chairman, during Neil’s time on the board we were attempting to add a new strategic category of member services referred to as Outreach Services…linking members to potential new and non-traditional opportunities for ministry, both domestically and internationally. If you ever want a challenge, try to define “Jerusalem…Samaria…and Uttermost” for self-directed ministry organizations. Neil was the right leader, in the right place, for the right time. He was firm, yet open and consensus building as we proceeded. Our partnership with Prison Fellowship was in full swing with thousands of children/youth of incarcerated parents going to our member camps; the partnership to help establish CCI/Russia was new and quite honestly requiring; we registered CCI/Romania with the government and established the first board in that country; had very strategic meetings with many large and key member camps to seek their participation in establishing programs whereby they and all members could link with new outreach opportunities, and had employed (actually he was mission supported with funds he personally raised) Dan DeGroat as Director of Outreach Services. Neil spent numerous hours in meetings, writing memos, and giving counsel as we proceeded. He carefully assisted to avoid many land mines, even though a couple did detonate without severe damage. To God be the glory!

To make this more personal, in-the-midst of his formal leadership Neil did some things which are only appropriate to share at a time like this. Without fanfare he took weekly offerings at Sandy Cove and after weeks of doing so, he came with a large check to purchase a very nice office in St. Petersburg for CCI/Russia. Also, he helped CCI/USA in hosting a highly subsidized meeting of the CCI worldwide leadership at Sandy Cove. Several years later, I will never forget his Sunday morning message to this same group in the UK… “Joshua: Man of Vision”. I was so proud of his Godly leadership and insights as he represented us at this meeting. Then, without too much comment, which would make this tribute way too long, when he left the board, Neil was asked to become the first Chairman of the Board for Global Outreach Group…a ministry subsidiary CCI/USA founded to handle some of the international outreach components of our association ministry. Dan DeGroat was named as the CEO of Global Outreach Group with Neil giving capable guidance as this ministry was launched.

Now just one anecdote. Many times we would have a special outing or event for those that attended our board meetings. When Neil was Chairman we went to an Air Force Football game in Colorado Springs, complete with a tailgate party. Neil wanted to make this special, so he flew in fresh oysters and clams from the Chesapeake Bay where Sandy Cove was located. I am reasonably sure that this is the first time that a tailgating party at Falcon Stadium, at the base of the Rockies, had a tailgating menu that included brats, beans, ribs, cornbread AND fresh oysters and clams!!! It was special.

Now I can’t help but add just a few comments that are beyond the tribute confined to his role as a Christian camp and conference center leader.

In his sunset years I stayed in touch with Neil and enjoyed his devotional writings as he wrote boldly about theology, Christian life and values, culture, and yes, even politics. It was as if he had been freed from the constraints that attended his life and also attends our lives while in formalized organizational Christian leadership. He spoke his mind freely with an attempt to always tie these expressions to the Scriptures, which he righteously guarded as the basis for all understanding. You can find some of these devotionals in his book available at Amazon and entitled “Thoughts Encouraging You To THINK”

Truly Neil played a unique and strategic role of leadership among us! Thank you, Neil, for being a faithful Christian leader and family man who had priorities right and passion focused on the “work of our Lord”. You, along with your sweet, supportive and classy wife, Mary Esther, enriched our lives greatly and pointed thousands to Jesus Christ. We will forever be grateful and look forward to joining you and the chorus of believers who will be together forever in eternity. Well done, colleague, friend and Christ follower!

Enoch Olson

Enoch P. Olson Obituary

Like his biblical namesake, Enoch P. Olson was known as a man who walked with God. On Friday, July 10, 2026, he completed that lifelong walk by entering the actual presence of his Savior. He died peacefully at his home in Ludington, Michigan, at approximately 8:00 p.m. ET, with his wife and granddaughter by his side. He was 96 years young.

Enoch was born on February 1, 1930, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Rev. Peter A. Olson and Miriam A. (Nelson) Olson, both first-generation Swedish immigrants who met in America. The oldest of two children, Enoch’s sister Ruth was born 8 years later. When Enoch was five years old the family moved to Bay City, MI where Peter pastored Bay City Evangelical Free Church. As a boy, Enoch was immersed in the life of the church and enjoyed summer ministry at Rainbow Lake Bible Camp where he fell in love with being with people and with adventures in God’s creation. In early adolescence he would hitchhike north with a canoe to go camping and fishing alone with his Creator. Recognizing his dyslexia, an elementary school teacher taught him to read using books about birds, which captivated him. Enoch later credited her with "saving his education."

As a teenager at Bay City High School, Enoch thrived in sports, pitching for his baseball team and playing football. At age 16, his father was diagnosed with tuberculosis, upending life for the family as Peter spent several years in and out of tuberculosis sanatoriums. Enoch left his sports career to work, taking on the responsibilities of caring for his mother and young sister. After school he would work until bed, pumping gas, delivering newspapers, and selling kitchen knives door-to-door. At home he raised hundreds of rabbits, selling their meat, hides, and feet to make ends meet. He continued to carry this responsibility while in junior college in Bay City, working at a local grocery store and becoming a butcher – the guaranteed path to management! These years forged the work ethic and drive that later propelled him to accomplish remarkable things for the Kingdom.

After high school, Enoch saw his friends drafted and sent to the Korean War. He was designated 4-F for medical reasons, and so directed his talents to civilian life instead. Enoch had intended to pursue a career outdoors as a naturalist or park ranger. When many of his peers did not return from the war, he saw his exemption as God’s provision for his family, who depended upon his support, and protection for the ministry that lay ahead. He came to understand that God's protection carried with it a call to vocational ministry.

These experiences shaped his life and calling.

Upon his father’s return home, Enoch continued his education at Trinity Seminary and Bible College in Chicago, IL (now Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Trinity International University), graduating on June 5, 1959 with both a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and a Bachelor of Divinity in Biblical Theology.

While at Trinity, Enoch met Nancy Anderson of Moline, IL, who was in nursing training at a Swedish hospital. They married in 1956, and welcomed two children, Mark Stephen in 1958 and Christine Elizabeth in 1960.

Enoch began his career as a pastor at Grace EFC in Rockford, MI where he served from 1958 to 1963. Enoch and Nancy then moved to Rockford, IL, where he pastored Alpine EFC from 1963 to 1968. While there, his childhood friends from Rainbow Lake Bible Camp in Bay City were determined to start a Christian camp, and wanted Enoch to be the founding director. After declining their invitation six times, he finally understood that the invitation was from God, not just his friends. Spring Hill Camps (now SpringHill) was incorporated in 1969 with Enoch leading the effort for three founding Evangelical Free Churches in Michigan.

At the time of Christine’s birth, Nancy was diagnosed with cancer. She prayed that God would grant her ten years to raise her young son and daughter, and she enjoyed a decade of health, entering heaven precisely ten years to the month from her humble request. This evidence of God’s providence, secured Enoch’s unshakeable trust in the God who sees, cares, and provides.

In time, Enoch asked his trusted friends to help him to find God’s choice to become his wife and mother for his children. He was introduced to a recent widow with two young sons Loren - age 5, and Jon Paul - age 2, from the farming community of London Mills, IL. After only months of courtship conducted mostly through letters (with only two in-person meetings) Enoch and Joan (Morey) Bovee were married in Lincoln, NE on April 25, 1972. Their blended family became a testimony to generations of how to embrace grief and loss while trusting in the sovereignty of a God who promises to provide. Sorrow melted into joy, watering a home marked by hospitality, ministry, and laughter. Though Enoch did not set out to adopt more young children, he embraced that responsibility as a great honor, modeling a generosity that marked his life.

Together he and Joan led the camp from 1972 through 1995, overseeing growth from only 256 campers in its first season to tens of thousands of campers year round when he retired from the camp. Enoch is renowned as a leader in Christian camping throughout the world. His philosophy was that the gospel would be ‘caught, not taught’ as lovingly attractive counselors poured their lives and God’s love into their charges. This effective model became inspirational to others. (Read more about Enoch’s camp legacy at springhillexperiences.com)

In 1987, Enoch willingly surrendered the executive leadership functions of SpringHill to his son, Mark, who had been involved in the ministry since ten years of age. Enoch delighted to serve Mark through donor development and strategic planning for the remainder of his career.

In 2001, he was painfully asked to surrender Mark to his Lord at the tender age of 42, after a brief and courageous battle with leukemia. Eighteen years later, he grieved the death of his daughter, Christine Olson Ahlstedt, who died of cancer at age 59. These losses tested but never diminished his confidence in God's sovereign care.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Joan and Enoch both served summers in the former Soviet Union, casting vision and helping to launch Christian camping there. Enoch returned for five years; stories from those trips include nights in prison cells and sputtering airplanes.

In ‘retirement’, Enoch has continued a productive life of writing and teaching Bible curriculum to Men’s Bible Study groups and Adult Sunday school groups at his churches in Ludington, MI and Scottsdale, AZ. Unafraid to learn new ways to share the gospel, Enoch embraced technology, even formatting his own curriculum for widespread distribution up to the present day. A charismatic teacher and storyteller, he is beloved by generations of staff from SpringHill and the churches where he has invested his life, and has been the officiant at countless weddings and funerals. He especially loved to hear when someone named their son ‘Enoch’, though admittedly a rare delight.

He was a Founding Elder at Trinity Fellowship EFC in Big Rapids, MI, and Crossroads Community EFC in Evart, MI, as well as an Elder at Trinity EFC in Ludington, MI, and taught a weekly 6:30 am Men’s Bible Study at Highlands Church in Scottsdale, AZ during the winter season for many years. He sang in choirs, acted in dramas, and encouraged other reluctant introverts to do the same. His enthusiasm was infectious. Everything he did had a quality that revealed the creative, intelligent, joyous, magnificent character of God.

To list his interests and hobbies would exhaust the reader. Gardening, fishing, carpentry, travel, bird watching, photography, and designing and building houses top the list. He could stand on a hill and see the contour map in his head, pointing and saying, “We could put a 15-acre lake there.” He bought a new ‘tractor’ (lawnmower) when he was 95 rather than ask someone to mow his yard.

His passion, though, was people. He loved his neighbors and was determined to know each one, demonstrating uncommon interest and caring. He faithfully shared the hope he had in Jesus and the good news that God loved each one of them passionately.

Enoch will be remembered for his ‘Swedish hum’, his long legs, his storytelling (and embellishments), his absolute delight in Joan, his mischievous smile, twinkling blue eyes, and pranks, his ability to bring Scripture to life for hearers of any age, his faith that was evident in his anticipation of what God would do when we acted and prayed, his humility, and his submission to God’s sovereign will in a life equally measured in pain/grief and joy/love.

Enoch is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan Olson, his sister Ruth Olson Greenough, sons Loren (Michelle) Bovee-Olson and Jonathan Paul Olson; grandchildren Amelia Rain (Sean), Abraham Boone, Clara Joy (Robert), Jack Lewis (Katie), Annika Rylie, and Anders Pieter. He was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his first great-grandchild (Clara/Robert) in October.

He looked forward to joining his loved ones awaiting him in heaven: his parents, Peter and Miriam, his wife Nancy Anderson Olson, his son, Mark, and his daughter, Christine. What a joyful reunion that must have been!

A funeral for his family, church, neighbors and community will be held at Trinity Church in Ludington on July 25, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., There will be a visitation at the church on Friday, July 24, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The service will be available by live stream and video-recorded. Details can be found at wymanfuneralservice.com/obituaries/enoch-olson.

A Celebration of Life and Reunion will be held at SpringHill in Evart, MI on August 22. Details can be found at springhillexperiences.com. We respectfully ask those who knew Enoch primarily through his ministry at SpringHill to prioritize this gathering.

Donations in memory of Enoch may be made to SpringHill at springhillexperiences.com.