Ponderosa Student Ministries is considered a parachurch organization. Parachurch organizations are Christian faith-based organizations that work across denominations to engage in social welfare and evangelism. Ponderosa teaches the Bible as the true and accurate Word of God and the authority for faith and conduct. Please read our statement of faith if you have any doubts about what we teach.
Ponderosa Student Ministries exists to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to students by giving them opportunities to experience God's power, presence and peace; through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We seek to accomplish this by providing camping opportunities, Bible classes, and correspondence lessons that promote the spiritual, moral, social, and educational growth of students.
- Ponderosa Student Ministries is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Established in 1947 and operating from its current location since 1976. - Ponderosa Student Ministries is a member of Christian Camp and Conference Association.
- Ponderosa Student Ministries is a division of Children's Bible Ministries, Inc.,
- Our National Office is located at the Tuckaleechee Retreat Center in Townsend, TN.
What we do:
Ponderosa Bible Camp - God has called Ponderosa Bible Camp to be a ministry that clearly and boldly shares the Gospel of Christ to all who attend. Ponderosa Bible Camp offers affordable, week-long overnight camps during the summer, as well as weekend retreats in the spring and fall. Sessions are available for different age groups, starting with elementary and going through high school. Ponderosa Bible Camp has a great reputation and has been operating since 1976! It is an affiliate of Children's Bible Ministries, a non-denominational ministry focused on children and teens. It is located atop Lookout Mountain in Mentone, AL on the banks of The Little River.
Ponderosa Retreat Center - Bring your Youth Group, Children's Group, Singles, Men's or Women's Group, church board, Sunday School class, Choir, etc. Conduct workshops, conferences, retreats, or camps. Have your family reunion or romantic wedding here at this lovely mountain facility. You can provide your own food and cook for yourself or we can cater your meals and serve you. The food at Ponderosa has a great reputation! Rental groups consistently tell us "this is the best camp food our group has ever had!"
DeKalb County Released Time - Released Time Bible Classes are open to every Public School student in DeKalb County, AL in grades 2nd - 6th. Students with permission of a parent or guardian can be released from school during one PE class each week and go to an off-campus location (usually a church next door) and attend a Bible class. Released Time Bible Classes are exciting, fun, off-campus Bible classes with age-appropriate Bible lessons for 2nd thru 6th Grade students. These Bible lessons are Christ-centered, true to the Bible and full of encouragement for your child. Students in Grades 2 thru 6 who choose to participate in this program have the potential to earn a free week of summer camp at Ponderosa Bible Camp! Students will earn points for attendance, bringing their Bible, and returning their completed Released Time homework! The points add up to a potential scholarship to summer camp!
Mailbox Club - Ponderosa Student Ministries is pleased to offer free this free discipleship program. The Mailbox Club is an exciting, through-the-mail, Bible correspondence class with age-appropriate Bible lessons for 1st thru 12th Grade students. These Bible lessons are Christ-centered, true to the Bible and full of encouragement for your child or teenager. Students in Grades 1 thru 12 who choose to participate in this program have the potential to earn up to a $50 discount off the price of a week of summer camp at Ponderosa Bible Camp.
How We Can Support Ponderosa:
Pray for their needs: Pray that the Ponderosa staff will:
- Impact the lives of students with the Gospel.
-
Faithfully follow and help disciple these students throughout the year.
-
Stay encouraged, biblically rooted, and focused on what God has called them to do.
-
Raise their portion of the ministry's budget each year so that they can dedicate their time to ministry.
Send Financial Gifts: As you give, ponder these biblical guidelines:
- “Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
-
“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
-
Give first...not from what’s left.
-
Give joyfully...not grudgingly
- Give faithfully...hot haphazardly.