I just talked for over an hour with Dan. He and his wife, Debbie, operate Mt. Zion Retreat Center (in Roaring Branch, PA). A few years ago they also started a church in the gym at Mt. Zion. He tells me that it's made up of couples under the age of 38 (he and Debbie are the oldest folks in the church).
For quite a few years they had foster children (in addition to raising their own three) - about 60 of them over the course of time.
To support his family, Dan drives truck for a large bakery in Williamsport, PA.
They moved out of their home this summer to have it renovated into a safe-house for women trying to escape lives of sexual slavery. They hope to have it fully licensed to open by late January.
They want to start a Bible College in the next few years (at Mt. Zion) to educate young, adult men and women for ministry. One donor has pledged five million dollars to the start-up of this project!
Now understand, Mt. Zion is a small retreat center. It had two houses to lodge small groups, but one of them burned to the ground a year ago. They also have a large, three floor retreat house with many small rooms and shared restrooms. It is in much need of repair and is expensive to heat in the winter. The retreat center is a ministry - but it is not lucrative!
They tap into volunteer labor as much as they can. They have few financial supporters. However, various board members and a few others are extremely generous with contributions. The Retreat Center is six years behind in paying Dan and Debbie. Their church pays him $100 a week.
Yet, his vision is unending and his passion exceeds that of most people I know. As a result of talking with him, I feel like my batteries have been recharged! My hope renewed. My vision expanded.
Dan and Debbie are entrepreneurs! They start things. It's their gift! They desperately need people to come alongside them to help make things work.
They bless me by providing a place to retreat three times a year. It's usually quiet here. No cell service. No television. Solitude. Minimal distractions and a fantastic view of the mountains. I typically stay Sunday night through Friday morning; they ask me for $125. I bring my own food and prepare it in a tiny, outdated microwave oven.
Dan and Debbie are Kingdom people! They thrive because they are connected to the living God! He provides for their needs. Nearly everything they do is focused on making His name known.
I am humbled. They make my world seem small. I just thought you should know about them - maybe you'll bump into them in Heaven someday. If you do, you can tell them that you heard about the great things they did for God!
If you want to know more, or bless them, or encourage them:
Dan and Debbie Colton
Mt. Zion Retreat Center
287 Zion Road
Roaring Branch, PA 17765
Their church is on Facebook: Mt. Zion New Life Center
Debbie has a blog at: http://www.debbiesoasis.blogspot.com/
Hal thanks so much for the kind words.. However.. we are mere servants of the most High God and He is the reason we do what we do... and He is the source of our strength and vision.. I am so glad that you can come to the mountain to be recharged..( sorry for the noise this time)..LOL.. May God bless you with renewed strength and vision.. love "The Coltons"
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