My Windermere Experience
Last year, Windermere celebrated 50 years of ministry. We are collecting and sharing memories of your experiences here. Whether you visited or worked at Windermere, we would like to hear from you. Please email your thoughts to windermere50@windermereusa.org. Thanks for joining us in this time of reflection and celebration.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
My Windermere Experience
Donald V. Wideman
Executive Director Emeritus, Missouri Baptist Convention
My memories of Windermere go back to 1960 when we visited Windermere for the first time. We were very impressed with the beauty of the place and wanted to go for a boat ride on the lake. One of my friends, a fellow pastor, offered to take us for a ride. Our first ride on the lake was in a small john boat with a trolling motor of less than one horsepower.
We had many visits after that and always left with good feelings and impressions. A most memorable event for me was when I attended one of the most spiritual conferences I have ever attended. In 1973 I discovered a lump on my body in the same area of the one that was the beginning of the cancer that resulted in my dad’s death. My family doctor removed it surgically and sent the tissue to the lab. Before the result came back, I went to Windermere for the conference with that concern on my mind and heart. God spoke to me through the messages and music and by His Spirit. I found a quiet spot and made a commitment to the Lord that changed my life and ministry. Thankfully, when I returned home I learned that the tissue was benign.
A great tragedy for us occurred in 1992 when our nephew, a Navy pilot, lost his life in a crash. Our family experienced deep grief and we all recognized the need and desire for the family to stay close to one another. We planned a family reunion at Windermere and my mother-in-law and all her descendants attended. It was great! We shared with one another, cried and laughed and had a family worship service. Everyone was delighted with Windermere and all the facilities and activities it provided. Our family met each year at Windermere for fifteen years. We have many wonderful memories and our family is closer to one another than ever.
It has given me much pleasure to witness God in action at Windermere. I have watched it grow and develop into the best conference assembly in the country. The ministries and programs have met the needs and desires of those who have attended. Thank God for Windermere!
Executive Director Emeritus, Missouri Baptist Convention
My memories of Windermere go back to 1960 when we visited Windermere for the first time. We were very impressed with the beauty of the place and wanted to go for a boat ride on the lake. One of my friends, a fellow pastor, offered to take us for a ride. Our first ride on the lake was in a small john boat with a trolling motor of less than one horsepower.
We had many visits after that and always left with good feelings and impressions. A most memorable event for me was when I attended one of the most spiritual conferences I have ever attended. In 1973 I discovered a lump on my body in the same area of the one that was the beginning of the cancer that resulted in my dad’s death. My family doctor removed it surgically and sent the tissue to the lab. Before the result came back, I went to Windermere for the conference with that concern on my mind and heart. God spoke to me through the messages and music and by His Spirit. I found a quiet spot and made a commitment to the Lord that changed my life and ministry. Thankfully, when I returned home I learned that the tissue was benign.
A great tragedy for us occurred in 1992 when our nephew, a Navy pilot, lost his life in a crash. Our family experienced deep grief and we all recognized the need and desire for the family to stay close to one another. We planned a family reunion at Windermere and my mother-in-law and all her descendants attended. It was great! We shared with one another, cried and laughed and had a family worship service. Everyone was delighted with Windermere and all the facilities and activities it provided. Our family met each year at Windermere for fifteen years. We have many wonderful memories and our family is closer to one another than ever.
It has given me much pleasure to witness God in action at Windermere. I have watched it grow and develop into the best conference assembly in the country. The ministries and programs have met the needs and desires of those who have attended. Thank God for Windermere!
posted by Windermere50 # 2:00 PM
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