This is a column that has numerous emotions as it represents my final article as an employee of Crossings. Actually, even determining what to write is terribly challenging as there are so many thoughts I would like to share. The Lord first brought us to the ministry before the term “Crossings” was even used. We arrived to Cedarmore in January 1999, with Tera being eight months pregnant with Jonathan—who will be 17 in February.

As the story unfolded over these last years, our family has been blessed beyond words to be a part of this ministry. To be clear, serving in camp ministry is much more than just a job. We always say that camp years are like “dog” years. Each year is packed with seemingly years of activities.

During our time with Crossings, we have faced some of the greatest difficulties we have experienced and even with those, we now stand thankful that God took us through the rough times. However, far beyond the challenging times, God has given us so many great memories that go with us as we leave—memories that have had a profound impact on all the Melbers.

Through our international partnerships, God led us to adopt—actually, three times. Additionally, the blessing of hearing God’s word preached every day throughout the summer played a significant role in all six of our kids coming to know Christ as Lord.

The friendships run deep within camp as you spend so much time with co-workers and camp attenders alike. I am so blessed to have partners in ministry that I think of as family from the last 16 years.

The blessing to see God’s call lived out through staff and campers has been a huge benefit. We literally know people serving all over the world as a result of Divine callings that took place while at Cedarmore and Jonathan Creek.

In short, the Melber family feels a tremendous debt of gratitude to Kentucky Baptists for allowing me to serve with Crossings. Our family has been forever changed through this ministry, and we take with us a lifetime of great memories of how God has changed the lives of countless numbers of people.

David Melber is president of Crossings Ministries. Contact Crossings at (502) 491-7000 or visit GoCrossings.com.