Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Wireless Internet Connection Available in Both Lodges



There is Wireless Internet Connection available in both the Adams-Mangrum Lodge and the McDonnell Lodge at the Lakeview Campground.  There is no cost to utilize this benefit.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sleeping Rooms at Campground

Lakeview Camp and Conference Center Rooms

Most rooms have two queen beds.  The rooms have the following, double sinks, TV, bathroom, with tub/shower, and nightstands.  Up to 5 people (family with children) may stay in the room together.  There are no coffee pots, refrigerators, hairdryers, shampoo, soap, and personal items included in with the room, you must bring your own coffee pot, and personal items if you want these things for your stay with you in the room.

There will be a coffee station, with a complete kitchen available (has a refrigerator) to use during the retreat in the Adams-Mangrum Lodge.  If you want to leave items in the refrigerator, please put your name on the item, so that others will not assume it is community property.  The Caribbean Area is not responsible for items left in the refrigerator, please mark your items.

The Room Check-In is at 3:00 p.m. and Check-Out is 12 Noon.  Registration will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 in the Adams-Mangrum Lodge Parlor Room.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Registration Information


REGISTRATION

Registration for the Caribbean and U.S. Based Retreat is on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 from 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.  It will be in the Adams-Mangrum Lodge Parlor (a copy of the campground layout has been sent to everyone).  You will receive your room keys (2), schedule, name badges, welcome bag, and wrist bands.  Lakeview Campground requires everyone to wear the wristbands as this is your meal and recreation pass, and must be on you at all times. 

If you check in before Wednesday, please go to the Fitness Center to pick up your room keys.  Please see the registration desk at the Adams-Mangrum Lodge Parlor on Wednesday to get your name badges, schedules, welcome bag, and wrist bands, if you check in early.  There are no meals served until the retreat time begins (first event on Wednesday, December 28 at 6:00 p.m.) You will need to go off site to get your meals, if you arrive early.  A map from the campground to town was sent with the final reminder email.

DEPARTURE

Departure - Please turn in both room keys to Lana Duda on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at the Adams-Mangrum Lodge Parlor before you leave.  Lana will be at the lodge after breakfast at 9:00 a.m. for you to return your room keys and name badge holders.

The camp informed us that there is a $10 charge per key for all keys not returned and you will be charged this fee, if the keys are not returned.  If you are departing before Sunday, please make arrangements with Lana to leave both of your room keys.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Lakeview Camp & Conference Center


The retreat is fast approaching.  If you are making your plans to drive the physical address is:

Lakeview Camp and Conference Center
5128 FM 66
Waxahachie, Texas  75167

972-923-3811



Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Indoor Swimming Pool and Walking Track


 
There is an indoor pool and walking track, along with a gym at the Lakeview Camp.  You are welcome to utilize the facilities during free time.  Please come prepared with your bathing suit, walking shoes and exercise clothing if you want to enjoy the Fitness Center.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Retreat Schedule

  Retreat Events and Times

Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Registration:  2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location:  Adams-Mangrum Lodge Parlor  
(Room check-in is at 3:00 p.m.) 

Opening Banquet – Dining Hall Banquet Room (catered event)
December 28, 2011    
6:00 p.m.  – 8:30 p.m.
with Dr. James Bradford 

Youth will remain with adults for this session only (Ages 12 - 18+).  All other youth sessions will be in the Adams-Mangrum Lodge - Comal Room. 

Children, ages 11 and under will go with Children's Workers either to the Suite 305 for babies and toddlers and for ages 4-11 to the Blanco Room in the Adams-Mangrum Lodge after this meal. 

 Youth and Children will meet in the Comal (Youth) and Blanco (Children) Rooms for the remainder of the retreat for their sessions in conjunction with the adult sessions in the a.m. and in the p.m.

Thursday - December 29, 2011
Breakfast 8:00 a.m. (Dining Hall)
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Morning Session
 (Adams-Mangrum Lodge - Crepe Myrtle)
Lunch 12:30 (Dining Hall Banquet Room)
Dinner 5:45 (Dining Hall Banquet Room)
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Evening Session Dr. James Bradford (Crepe Myrtle - Adams-Mangrum Lodge)
Friday – December 30, 2011
Breakfast 8:00 a.m. (Dining Hall)
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Morning Session (Adams-Mangrum Lodge - Crepe Myrtle)
Lunch 12:30 (Dining Hall Banquet Room)
Dinner 5:45 (Dining Hall Banquet Room)
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Evening Session Dr. James Bradford (Crepe Myrtle)
Saturday – December 31, 2011
Breakfast 8:00 a.m. (Dining Hall)
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Morning Session  (Crepe Myrtle)
No Lunch Provided - 12:30 (On Your Own - Off Campus) Free Time
Dinner 5:45 (Dining Hall Banquet Room) (Catered Meal Only)

7:00 – 10:30 p.m. Evening Session and Communion with Area Directors Dale and Patti Coad (Adults - Adams-Mangrum Lodge - Crepe Myrtle Room)

10:30 – Midnight -  Fellowship and Refreshments (optional) (Crepe Myrtle - Adams-Mangrum Lodge)

Sunday - January 1, 2012
Breakfast 8:00 a.m. (Dining Hall)
Departures

Monday, October 24, 2011

Retirement Questions

Counseling Available

Rick Johnson, Director of Personnel and Member Care will be available at the retreat for any retirement quesitons and/or support.  Please set up a time with Rick, if you want an apointment with him during your free time.

Rick served as a missionary in Dominican Republic and Area Director to the Caribbean. He is a Doctorate of Missiology Candidate at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary; M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from University of Washington; B.A. in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University; Diploma in Ministerial Studies from Global University Berean School of the Bible; A.A. and Certificate in Police Science from Mira Costa College. Rick is a member of the World Missions Executive Committee.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Travel Itineraries


Please send your travel itineraries to Gayle Grisbee, Chairman of the Caribbean and U.S. Based Missionary Retreat Airport Transportation Ministry at gayle.grisbee@agmd.org or mggisum@aol.com

Gayle is in charge of arranging transportation for missionaries needing transportation from and to the airport in Dallas, Texas to the retreat center in Waxahachie, Texas.

If you are driving to the retreat and have a car, please contact Gayle if you would be willing to help pick up or take missionaries to the airport.  Please send him your cell phone number, as cell phone service on the campground is limited.  We don't want anyone getting stranded at the airport.  Thanks everyone!i

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Travel Approval Forms - Retreat


Every Missionary Unit needs to send a travel approval form into Dale Coad for approval, so that your expenses getting to and from the retreat will be covered from your work account.  There is a form in the link section of the blog.  Please get this to Dale before the retreat.

Forms, Waivers, Needed for Events


There is a paintball area at the retreat center, with everything you need provided to play paintball.  The Lakeview Conference Center requires a form be signed by those participating.  These will be available when you register, as well as the liability release form for minors.  All parents with children under 18, will need to sign the liability release form when they register.  If a minor wants to play paintball, then parents will need to sign the Conference Center Form.

These forms will be sent to all who have registered before the retreat, for their convenience, they can be filled out before the retreat and either emailed to Lana, or brought to the retreat to save time at registration.

Retreat Information

Items to bring to the Retreat


You will need to bring the following items with you to the retreat:
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body Wash
  • Soap
  • Hair Dryer

Irons and ironing boards are provided in each lodge in the closets in the downstairs hallways.  Ice machines are located in the breezeways of each lodge.  Daily towel refreshing service will be provided to the rooms.  Making beds and cleaning will be the responsibility of the lodge room guests.

Games/Magazines to Share

Please bring any old magazines you want to share with you and Rook Cards/games to play with your friends.  Mark your name on your games and cards, so that you will be able to locate your games, if others use them.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Retreat is Fast Approaching


The 2011-2012 Caribbean and U. S. Based Missionary Retreat is fast approaching.  Most of you have let us know that you are or are not planning to attend and we look forward to having around 125 people together.  If you are traveling by car and are Caribbean U.S. Based, could you bring some of the following to bless all of our missionary colleagues?
  1. Magazines you would want to put out on a common table for sharing
  2. Games, such as rook, board games, etc. to play during free time (these would return home with you).
  3. Books that you have read and would want to give away to others
If you have reserved a room with Lana, and have a change of plans due to a last minute emergency, please notify her so that your room can be cancelled in time through the Lakeview Campground.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Music Ministry for Retreat

For more than a decade, Aaron McNatt has been serving the local church in full-time ministry through music, arts and preaching.  He and his wife Dae, with their three daughters, Morgan (8), Macy (4), and Mallie (3) serve on the pastoral staff at First Assembly of God in Mesquite, TX.  They relocated to North Texas in 2004 from Lancaster, PA.  Aaron is a talented vocalist and musician with an evident anointing to lead worship.  He has a contagious passion for God’s presence in worship and has seen his gift make room for him in many places of ministry across the United States and overseas.  He is passionate about mentoring other worship leaders and church musicians and developing teams to a place of excellence in ministry. 

Aaron says, “I know that one genuine encounter with the Living God can change a person’s life forever.  I strive to facilitate those Holy Moments through music, song, drama and preaching; but most of all, by living a life that reflects the character of the God who changed me.”

Monday, August 29, 2011

Early Arrivals - Late Departures

Retreat Rooms
     If you plan to arrive early or stay later at the Lakeview Campground (Retreat Dates are December 28, 2011 – January 1, 2012), please contact Renae Dubose at the Lakeview Campground to make those arrangements.  Renea has a list of your room assignments during the retreat time.  If you want to stay in the same room throughout the retreat, just have her assign the same room to you or your family.   
     When calling or emailing please let Renae know that you are with the Caribbean Event in order to get the discounted AG rates.  When you register with Dara Brannan and Lana Duda at the retreat, on Wednesday, December 28, starting at 2:30 p.m., they will have an invoice ready for you at the retreat registration table for the additional days.
     Renae’s email is renae.dubose@lakeviewcamp.net  and her phone number is 972-937-5291  x 2119.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

College Age Missionary Kids


Question:  Can my college age adult child attend the retreat?
Answer:  Your college age missionary kid (meaning they are no longer living at home with you and are over age 18) can attend the retreat, but their travel expenses are at personal expense and cannot be taken from your work account.
Contact Patti Coad at patti.coad@agmd.org, to see if your college age MK can be utilized is some capacity at the retreat, helping out with children, babies, events, etc.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Zach and Alaina Grisbee

Youth Leaders Zach and Alaina Grisbee and Family

     Zach Grisbee is a missionary kid.  He grew up in Latin America in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.  He graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University with a degree in Youth Ministries in 2002.  Currently, He teaches Spanish and coaches soccer and football at Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas
     Zach’s wife is Alaina.  They have two children Ian (4) and Iris (1).  His wife Alaina teaches first grade at Horn Elementary in Houston
     Zach and Alaina look forward to ministering to your missionary kids during the retreat.  They remember great memories of retreats and the powerful encounters with God and their hope is that your youth will come away from the retreat with the same.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Jon and Alicia Coad's Bio


Pastor Jon and Alicia have two children, Maci and Ethan.  Jon grew up in the Dominican Republic.  While living in the Dominican Republic his heart for ministry came alive, as he and his family ministered to thousands of children.  His parents Dale and Patti Coad, Caribbean Area Directors helped start 17 Latin America Child Care schools in areas where there was no hope for education. 

Jon graduated from Southeastern Bible University in Lakeland, Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral Studies. 

Jon’s secret life ambition is to have a children’s event that fills a football stadium with kids and their families.  Jon and Alicia will be working with the babies and children at the upcoming retreat in December.                     

Something interesting about Jon is that he loves it when people cook for him, except for shell fish, as he is allergic.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Retreat Information


If you plan to arrive early or stay longer before or after the retreat, this will be at personal expense and you will need to contact the campground directly - Shawn Shiflett (sshiflett@lakeviewcamp.net) to make your own arrangements.  For North Texas Missionaries, please check this blog on information about cabins that are available to you at a very reasonable rate. You will need to submit a travel approval form to Dale Coad to be reimbursed for the retreat expenses (travel, etc.) and if you plan to stay longer and go elsewhere the prorated part of your travel (what it cost to and from the retreat) will be what you are reimbursed for, not any personal vacation travel, etc.

The retreat will open with registration on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 2:30 p.m.  There will be signs on the campground to guide you to the registration area and we will have more information  later in the year.  The retreat will end on Saturday night, late, schedule to follow and there are no scheduled events on Sunday, January 1, 2012 other than departure.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Missionary Newsletters

          Attention All Missionaries:
 Be sure to send a copy of all of your newsletters (electronic and printed) to:
Gloria Robinett - grobinett@ag.org

Send printed mailed copies of the newsletter to
Rev. David Lee                                                Mrs. Gloria Robinett
AGWM - U.S. Relations                                  World Missions Archives
1445 N. Boonville Ave.                                    1445 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802                                     Springfield, MO  65802
Policy for Newsletters:  Missionaries are required to send out a minimum of four newsletters, one per quarter, with at least two newsletters being printed in hard copy.  Please contact your supporters to find out the best way to communicate with them.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Travel Approval Form Needed for Retreat

A travel form is needed for the Caribbean/U.S. Based missionary retreat.  The policy for travel is in effect for the retreat, i.e. you will need to fill out a travel form per family/couple or single.

Please send in your travel form to me (Dale)  at
dale.coad@agmd.org so that it can be recorded and minuted.

There is a link on the blog to take you to the travel form.  Please make sure you have the latest version of Adobe reader on your computer for this to work properly.

Travel Information for Retreat

        Transportation for the retreat
We are coordinating transportation from the DFW airport to the camp with several vehicles that are being rented.  As the dates approaches for the retreat in December, we will be gathering your flight schedules to make sure you are picked up.

There will be people driving their own vehicles that can help out, if transportation is needed during the retreat.  If you want to rent a vehicle with your -00- account, we encourage you to do so, provided that you are willing to help out as needed.  Per Dale Coad

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Lakeview Camp and Conference Center


     Lakeview Camp and Conference Center has much to offer.  There is a large activity building with exercise equipment, gym, walking track, pool, hot-tub, racquetball, and ping pong.   Hayrides, bonfires, paintball, rock-climbing, paddle boats, and fishing are all available.  There are horseshoe pits, volleyball nets and all equipment can be used or rented at the camp.  If you want to use the rock-climbing wall, there is a  $15 fee per hour for the instructor to monitor you and to use the harness straps.  There is a fee for the paintball area, but the rest is included in your stay.
     Information on registration, the retreat schedule, and airport information, etc will be forthcoming.  

     Dr. James Bradford, General Secretary of the Assemblies of God is our keynote speaker.

      Aaron McNatt, pictured with Paul Duda to the left, will be leading worship with his team.  There will be activities for children and our young misionary kids, and youth.

     We have a healthy, tasty menu planned for you and we look forward to spending time together to refresh our spirits, our bodies, and our minds in the Lord. 
    

Attention - North Texas District Credential Holders


Paul and I visited the North Texas Lakeview Campground and there are pictures posted in a slideshow on the blog for you to see where the 2011 Caribbean and U.S. Based Missionary Retreat will be held.

While touring the facilities, we were given some information for all of you North Texas District Credential Holders.  There is a cabin (Dorothy's Place) that can be rented for a "cleaning fee" for a week for you to rest and get away.  Please contact Shawn Shiflett, in charge of coordinating times at sshiflett@lakeviewcamp.net for more information.  She will be glad to correspond with you.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Lakeview Campground Housing Information

1. Are there hairdryers in each room? No

2. Does the missionaries need to bring shampoo, soap, lotion etc. or is it provided in the rooms? They need to bring toiletries….linens are provided .

3. How far away from the campground are Wal-Mart, the Mall, and restaurants? Waxahachie is about 10-15 min. away with Wal-Mart, shopping, the Waxahachie town square is famous for their quaint antique shops and restaurants. The closest Mall would be in Arlington, The Parks Mall.

4. What are normal temperatures in December? 50’s

5. Are you able to swim outdoors in the pool this time of the year? No, there are no outdoor water activities  open, only the indoor pool.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Travel Requests Forms - Use Free Adobe Reader

You will need to download and install the latest version of the free Adobe Reader, if you have not done this to be able to use the electronic travel requests forms for approvals from the Area Director (Dale Coad) AD and Regional Director (Richard Nicholson) RD.  It can be downloaded from:


Please make sure that you are using the free Adobe Reader to fill out the forms.  What happens if you do not use the free Adobe reader is this, "Some other program is set as the default for opening PDFs on your computer and it is not working right.  Adobe is the “owner/creator” of the PDF format, and their program seems to work the best with PDF forms."

AGWM Travel Policies and Concerns

On a weekly basis the Caribbean Office gets travel requests that come without the appropriate travel form.

It generally takes one or two email exchanges to determine the purpose of the travel, the dates of travel and whether the travel is a ministry expense or a personal expense.  A properly filled out "Field Travel Form" requires all of this information and must originate with you before any travel will be approved.

The LAC office wants you to know what the newly enforced policy is for ALL TRAVEL.  You will need to start by filling out the appropriate form.  Here is the policy:
  1. You must have permission for the travel prior to buying the ticket.  Please do not assume that your travel will be approved retroactively.  
  2. You begin your travel request be filling out a Field Travel Form.  You were emailed the proper travel form and it is included in the links section of this blog.  Please submit the form to  dale.coad@agmd.org.
  3. Send the travel form to my email and I will forward the form to the LAC Regional office (Dick's office) and any other office that requires a signature.
  4. In the past, the Caribbean Office would take the time to fill in your form and pass it on, but with the volume of travel requests, this cannot continue.
  5. Some ministries, especially U.S. Based Ministries that involve extensive overseas travel, have standing permission from the EC for travel.  Those ministries have different requirements for travel approval.    If you have NOT been notified of pre-approved travel permission, assume that you do not have it and need permission for every trip.

Note: When is a trip a personal expense versus a ministry expense?

The governing principle is "00" funds can only be used when there is a clear ministry objective involved in the trip or when a medical necessity demands that a missionary travel.   All other trips are considered "personal expenses".

Exception would be trips back to the USA to resolve visa issues that cannot be resolved on the field.   Please read the missionary manual.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Retreat Information - Dates



Question:  When will there be more information on the blog about the upcoming retreat?
Answer:  Paul and Lana Duda, Assistant Area Directors will be visiting the campground soon.  Once they have visited the site, more information will be posted.  We will update any new decisions once they are made.
There will be a meeting in June, where final preparations and planning will be discussed for the retreat.  Basically, the retreat will start with an afternoon registration on Wednesday, December 28th and end the night of December 31st.  We will conclude with a breakfast on January 1, 2012, with no scheduled service.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Dale and Patti Coad's Bio


Biography

As the Caribbean Area Directors for the Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) Dale and Patti help coordinate the 130 missionaries serving in the 20 countries of the Caribbean and the West Indies.   These countries include: Haiti, the Bahamas, the Grand Caymans, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, St. Vincent and Antigua, all of which have resident missionaries.

In the countries that don’t have resident missionaries, there are ongoing ministries from the U.S. based missionaries who come alongside the strong national church and work together to help disciple its leadership in its development, provide compassion ministries, strengthen their resolve by partnering with them in the planning and development of major projects and their ongoing ministries.    One such country is Cuba, where an ongoing revival keeps amazing all involved.
  
Background: Dale was called to pastoral ministry while he was serving in the Air Force.  After the Air Force, Dale studied at Southern California College (now Vanguards) where he became the director of the mission’s program.    His mission’s experience includes Hawaii, Denmark, Latvia (part of the former Soviet Union) and U.S. home missions.   

After graduation, he served in two churches as a youth pastor, a single’s pastor, director of Christian Education and Evangelism.     After 8 years of pastoral ministry, Dale returned to Vanguards to pursue a Master’s degree.    During his program of study, God place a very specific call on his life for missions.    His studies led him to a strong conviction of the commission of the church to reach the whole world with the message of God’s Kingdom. 


Since that call, Dale has invested his life into missions, first with LACC in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean for 18 years and presently as the Caribbean Area Director for the last five years.

The family: Steven (son) and Kristin (daughter-in-law) are pioneer pastors in Sarasota, FL.  Shane Comellas (son-in-law) and Jaimee (daughter) are church planting in Morrisville, N.C.   Jon (son) and Alicia (daughter-in-law) are children’s pastor in Camp Hill.



Personal information: 
Birthdays: Dale’s November 22
Patti’s: July 4
Anniversary:  October 18, 1975

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Business Expenses for Retreat

Question:  What travel expenses are covered out of my “00” account for the upcoming retreat?

Answer:  Travel costs to and from the retreat are covered by "00."  The flight expense to and from the retreat is considered a "business expense", covered by "00" (as long as there is money in that account).  If you have additional costs not related to the retreat, but travel in conjunction with the retreat, those additional costs are at personal expense

If you book a flight to include your personal plans, i.e. vacation before or after the retreat, you will need to go online and get a quote of the flight without the personal detour.  The difference in ticket price would be at personal expense.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Lakeview Camp & Conference Center

Lakeview Camp and Conference Center
of the Assemblies of God

Phone:  972-937-5291


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Caribbean and U.S. Based Missionary Retreat

The dates for the Caribbean and U.S. Based Missionary Retreat are December 28, 2011 to January 1, 2012.  Our guest speaker with be Dr. James Bradford.  It will be held at the Texas District Campground in Waxahacie, Texas.  More information will follow.

Dr. Jim Bradford

Dr. Jim Bradford was elected General Secretary of the Assemblies of God by the Executive Presbytery in February 2009. He is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and the Executive Presbytery. As general secretary, Bradford oversees the credentialing of ministers, church chartering, the collection of official statistics and the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center.
Prior to his election as general secretary, Bradford served as Senior Pastor of Central Assembly in Springfield, Missouri. Jim holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota. As a student he led a small Chi Alpha campus Bible study that eventually grew into a university church. Upon graduation in 1979, Jim stepped into full time ministry with that campus outreach. In 1988, Jim and his family moved to Southern California where he pastored Newport-Mesa Christian Center in the heart of Orange County.