Windermere Baptist Conference Center

Congratulations to our EDGE Team!

January 13, 2012-Congratulations to our challenge course crew at The EDGE at Windermere!! For the first time in Challenge Quest, LLC history there are three people that have completed Level 2 Certification.

Daniel Walker, The EDGE Manager, was the first ever to complete this certification a year ago, in the company’s 19 year history. Joe Lancaster and Coty Goodwin from Windermere have now achieved Level 2 certification as well.

We also want to recognize Connor Horton, Corey Durbin, and Stuart Brand for attending the training. After 200 hours of work in the field they will also test for their level 2 certification.

Challenge Quest, LLC is a Midwestern organization which trains facilitators to help individuals, teams and organizations learn how to improve their performance, work smarter, and develop their ability to see their role in the big picture, among other things.

We are proud of our team!

For more EDGE information find us on Facebook at The EDGE at Windermere.

Supreme Court Upholds Windermere's Victory

May 5, 2009-On Tuesday, May 5, the Missouri Supreme Court denied the Missouri Baptist Convention's appeal in its lawsuit against Windermere Baptist Conference Center. Last year, Cole County Judge Richard G. Callahan examined the merits of the MBC's lawsuit and ruled for Windermere. In February of this year, the Western District Court of Appeals in Missouri unanimously upheld the ruling. In March of this month, the full appeals court refused to rehear the case and refused to transfer the case to the state Supreme Court. Last month, Camden County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth M. Hayden dismissed the MBC's other lawsuit against Windermere.

"We are pleased that the state Supreme Court has upheld the wisdom of the appellate and circuit court judges that carefully examined the merits of the case," states Windermere President/CEO Dan Bench. "Each judge who has examined the merits of the case has ruled for Windermere."

"We urge the MBC to accept these judicial rulings and allow Missouri Baptists to put this sad conflict behind us," adds Bench. "Lives are being forever changed because of the life-changing ministry of Windermere and we welcome all Missouri Baptists to join with us."

"Windermere remains open to all Missouri Baptists, just as we have for over 50 years," says Bench. "Our mission and purpose has not changed. Our mission statement explains: 'As a dedicated, Christ-like team we will provide a Christian setting in which life changing experiences may occur for all involved.'"

Camden County Court Dismisses Case against Windermere

April 13, 2009-On Friday, April 10, Camden County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth M. Hayden dismissed the Missouri Baptist Convention's lawsuit against Windermere Baptist Conference Center. This was the MBC's second lawsuit filed against Windermere and the judge invoked "the doctrine of abatement" to dismiss the case since it was similar to the first MBC lawsuit filed in Cole County. Last year, Judge Richard G. Callahan examined the merits of the MBC's Cole County lawsuit and ruled for Windermere. In February of this year, the Western District Court of Appeals in Missouri unanimously upheld the ruling. Last month, the full appeals court refused to rehear the case and refused to transfer the case to the state Supreme Court.

"We are pleased that once again a judge has ruled for Windermere," states Windermere President/CEO Dan Bench. "Each judge who has examined the merits of the case has ruled for Windermere."

"We urge the MBC to accept these judicial rulings and allow Missouri Baptists to put this sad conflict behind us," adds Bench. "Lives are being forever changed because of the life-changing ministry of Windermere and we welcome all Missouri Baptists to join with us."

"In these economic times, it is particularly disappointing that the MBC would continue to waste money on a losing legal battle instead of helping people in need," says Bench. "We pray no additional money, energy, or time will be wasted by further litigation efforts. Instead, we hope MBC leaders will join us in helping fulfill the Great Commission."

Last month, Ethics Daily reported that the MBC had spent Cooperative Program money to fund its lawsuits against Windermere and other Missouri Baptist ministries. Despite promising not to use CP money, the report documents how the MBC used more than $1.5 million dollars of the missions money to pay legal expenses. If the MBC appeals their multiple recent losses, it seems possible more missions money would be used to fund that effort.

Appeals Court Victory Upheld

March 31, 2009-Windermere Baptist Conference Center's appellate court victory was upheld today by the full appeals court, which rejected two appeals by the Missouri Baptist Convention. The MBC had requested the full appeals court to rehear the case and had requested a transfer to the state Supreme Court. In February a three-judge panel from the Western District of the Missouri Court of Appeals unanimously ruled for Windermere. A circuit court judge had previously ruled for Windermere in March of 2008.

"We are pleased that the court has upheld Windermere's victory," states Windermere President/CEO Dan Bench. "We are not surprised, however, because we knew the three appellate judges and the circuit court judge had offered well-documented rulings on the merits of the case."

"We urge the MBC to accept these judicial rulings and allow Missouri Baptists to put this sad conflict behind us," adds Bench. "We pray no additional money, energy, or time will be wasted by further litigation efforts. Lives are being forever changed because of the life-changing ministry of Windermere and we welcome all Missouri Baptists to join with us."

Last week, Ethics Daily reported that the MBC had spent Cooperative Program money to fund its lawsuits against Windermere and other Missouri Baptist ministries. Despite promising not to use CP money, the report documents how the MBC used more than $1.5 million dollars of the missions money to pay legal expenses. If the MBC appeals once more to the state Supreme Court, it seems possible missions money would be used to fund that effort.

Windermere Wins Unanimous Appeals Court Decision

February 3, 2009-The Western District of the Missouri Court of Appeals ruled in a unanimous 3-0 decision in favor of Windermere Baptist Conference Center in the ongoing litigation brought by the Missouri Baptist Convention. The February 3, 2009 appeals court decision affirmed the circuit court ruling in favor of Windermere that was made by Judge Richard Callahan in March of 2008. The appeals court ruling was written by Judge James Welch, with Judges Thomas Newton and Joseph Dandurand concurring.

"We are pleased, after a thorough analysis of the merits of the case, the appeals court has affirmed the circuit court's decision in favor of Windermere," states Windermere CEO/President Dan Bench. "The appeals decision-like the previous circuit court decision-is well-documented and clearly states the facts and the law are on Windermere's side. Four judges have now examined the merits of the case and all four have reached the conclusion Windermere and its board acted lawfully as we sought to best fulfill Windermere's important mission."

"We hope Missouri Baptists will now be able to put this sad conflict behind us," adds Bench. "We pray no additional money, energy, or time will be wasted by further litigation efforts. Windermere recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and just completed its best year ever. Lives are being forever changed because of the life-changing ministry of Windermere and we welcome all Missouri Baptists to join with us."