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Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference History

THE FORMATIVE PERIOD  /  1936---1940

In 1936, Dr. Henry Savage, then the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pontiac, Michigan, dreamed of a place where pastor, missionaries, and families could come together for growth and encouragement.  His love of youth and their potential for Christian service drove him to look for a site where wholesome recreation and spiritual challenge could be combined in a unique and beautiful setting.

In 1936 Dr. Savage put his vision into action by raising $40,000 to purchase the conference grounds. In addition to his own personal investment,  Scripture Press and  Sudan Interior Mission also contributed. During the summers of 1936 and 1937 the conference season only lasted a few weeks.

 In 1938 Maranatha “officially” opened its summer conference season on Sunday, June 27, 1938, after two years of “unofficial” activity.  The summer conference series was called “Maranatha.”  The name was later changed to become what it is today, Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference.

Although Dr. Savage had an intense interest  in the ministry taking place at  Maranatha he did not feel he should give up his Pontiac church.  He challenged his music minister, Howard M. Skinner, to assume the full-time responsibility as an onsite director of the conference.  Howard and his wife, Ada, both talented singers and keyboard artists, managed the property and led the ministry until his retirement in 1974.  For years,  Maranatha became synonymous with the music ministry of Howard and Ada Skinner.  It was his ministry with young people, in particular, that was perhaps his most important contribution as hundreds of men and women across the world owe their spiritual lives to the dedication of Howard Skinner.

THE GROWTH YEARS    1940—1960

Maranatha continued to grow under the leadership of Dr. Savage and Mr. Howard Skinner. 

Dr. Karl Steele was an important part of the ministry providing chalk artistry nightly in the services. His unique use of the art talents God bestowed upon him touched the lives of thousands of people at Maranatha and across America. During the winter season the Skinners and Karl Steele held services called the Gospel in the Music and Art in various churches.  This provided a ministry and promoted Maranatha also.

Evangelist Dr. Amy Lee Stockton and her co-worker Rita Gould were brought in by Dr. Savage in the early years.  Dr. Stockton was a regular speaker and counselor.  Her leadership at the weekly bon fires brought about many decisions for Christ.
Miss Gould’s dynamic teaching in the form of music helped the children to learn Bible truths in an enjoyable way.  Many decisions were made under her ministry also.

J. Stratton Shufelt, better known at “Strat” was featured as a weekly guest musician for many years until the 1950’s when he built a cottage here.  After that he continued to serve on a volunteer basis, until 1974 when he replaced Mr. Skinner as conference musician and conference host.  His leadership at the prayer tower made it a special time.

 Summer schools including Art, Music, Speech, Journalism and Christian Education were offered.

 A pre-season week of pastor’s conference was offered free of charge.

This was a time of significant nationally recognized speakers.  Billy Graham was a featured speaker at Maranatha for six years from the mid-40’s to 1951.  He first spoke at the channel side vesper services.  In 1956 he returned as the nationally known evangelist and spoke to a crowd of 8000 people.

Originally there were two portions of property that made up a golf course.  To pay off debts, the parcel on the east side of Lake Harbor Road was sold in the earlier days of Maranatha.  The portion on the west side of Lake Harbor Road,  which is now known as Maradune, was sold in the early 60’s to pay off Sudan Interior Mission’s interest in Maranatha.

During this period privately owned cottages were built on the leased land.  Several rental cottages and the Rec Hall (now know as Lebanon) were also built.

The children’s chapel was moved from Hendricks and Lake Harbor Roads to the last location.  It was the oldest school in Norton Shores.

REORGANIZATION PERIOD   1960’s  into  EARLY 70’S

During this period there was a significant increase in the number of residents who made Maranatha their summer home.  The trailer courts were established and more cottages were built.  Maranatha also went through a formal reorganization creating a board of directors in the summer of 1962 and ownership by Shareholders.  With this growth, contributions also increased.

Special weeks included:  Gospel Films Ministries, Youth for Christ, World Vision and United World Mission.  The Saturday night musical concerts were the highlight of the week.  They featured guest musicians and concluded with the chalk artistry of Karl Steele accompanied by the Skinner’s.

The first Founders Day was held in 1968 following Dr. Savage’s death in 1967.  The Savage Memorial Prayer Tower was built in 1969.

RENEWAL PERIOD   Early 70’s  into late 80’s

The early 70’s to late 80’s was a period of facility renewal and also of new leadership. Following the retirement of Howard Skinner in the fall of 1973, Mr. Tedd Bryson became the new director.  He was formerly the director of Youth for Christ in New York City.

“Strat” Shufelt assumed the position as conference musician.  Others brought in included: Tim Zimmerman and The Kings Brass,  Dr. Paul Satre and Dick Anthony.

The ladies auxiliary, which for many years had served with tangible projects such as redecorating cottages and preseason cleaning, developed their summer luncheon into a major fund raising event.

The Ladies Day Retreat began during this era.

The Don Aldrich memorial golf tournament was initiated in 1983.  The proceeds went for projects needed by missionaries from the Maranatha family.

In 1976 the Lodge was built.  In 1979 the Duneside apartments were built.  As a result of these improvements, fewer numbers of big church/ youth groups visited and more couples and families began attending.  These buildings also allowed Maranatha to begin an off-season retreat ministry-although summer remained the most significant season.

 The Lakeside Condominiums were also built during this period.

Mr. Skinner passed away in 1985.  The son of a Methodist minister and an outstanding Baptist preacher, Dr. Savage, had worked well together for many years.

RON BUSCH’ LEADERSHIP - 1988-2000

Ron Busch took over leadership following Tedd Bryson’s resignation in 1987.  Ron had previously directed Winona Lake Bible Conference.  Ron Busch further developed Maranatha’s tradition of quality music by introducing the Maranatha Musician’s.  Robert Adams became the music director during this time.  Robert began the Thursday afternoon music recitals, which was a favorite of the guests.

Ron’s wife, Francine, added much to Maranatha’s children’s program with her talents.

 During this period the off-season senior citizens retreats were offered.

 Home school week in late August was established.

 The sports camps were introduced, beginning first with the baseball camp.

The Family Life Center, replacing the old conference center was built in 1999.  This center includes the large sweet shop, classrooms and nursery, a craft room and gymnasium and exercise rooms. Two new apartments, which housed 10 units, were also built that year.  The addition of these beautiful buildings spurred an increase in summer attendance, and enabled Maranatha to further develop it’s off-season retreat ministry.

Ron Busch passed away in 2004 at the age of 58.

A NEW CENTURY of  MINISTRY - 2000 to present.

In 2001 Scott Barger became the Executive Director of Maranatha.  Scott had formerly been the director of a Salvation Army Camp in Michigan.  During this time, the sports camp ministry was enlarged to include basketball, soccer, volleyball, and football, in addition to baseball.

Two cottages were acquired by Maranatha and were remodeled into suitable rental units for guests.  They were given the names Mexico and Bolivia to recognize Maranatha family members who served on the mission field in those countries.

Scott Barger resigned in January 2005.

2005-2006    

Terry Agal became conference manager in June 2005.  Terry had formerly been vice president of Human Resources at Hart and Cooley.  He had already invested in Maranatha as a weekly summer guest and lastly as a Condo owner.  His business background brought much to the leadership.

Through the generosity of Maranatha  members and friends in money, labor and materials, the conference was able to add a much- needed walk-in freezer cooler complex, refurbish the dining room, renovate the Duneside Apartments and restore the old ball field.

2007 –2008

In the summer of 2007, Tim Ostrander former vice-president of operations and assistant to the president of Moody Bible Institute, joined the staff as the new president. His experience is invaluable in program ministries. Terry has continued to serve alongside as Chief Operations Officer.  This co- leadership has brought stability and increased the ministry of Maranatha.  For the first time in several years Maranatha was able to complete the fiscal 2007-year with revenues exceeding expenses. 

More recent generous gifts allowed the upgrading of India, converting a duplex motel building into a more badly needed apartment, renovating to lower lodge lobby and developing a plaza and walkway between buildings.
The most exciting addition to the facilities has been the building of the new Lebanon Lodge.  This will provide badly needed staff housing, which frees up more rental units for guests, and a much improved teen center during the summer.  It will accommodate large church groups for off- season retreats.

Maranatha is increasing the number of their sponsored retreats, including adding a  2nd week of Fall Seniors Conference; and, new in 2008, a Worship Arts Technology Summit.  There has also been an increase in the number of non- Maranatha sponsored retreats.

The giving to missionary agencies represented here has continued to increase.  Young people have been challenged by the presentations and responded to the call to serve on various mission fields.  

 To God be the Glory!