OUR CAMPAIGN

THE PLANS

We have an incredible opportunity to grow and expand and improve our ministry at all three sites through our Synod authorized capital campaign.  During the past year, with the help of many of you, we have been planning and preparing for this campaign. Here is a brief overview of our plans, accompanied by some conceptual drawings from Trehel Corp. of future developement.

COASTAL RETREAT CENTER

At the Coastal Retreat Center, we plan a complete renovation of the current building including and the addition of a BRAND NEW BUILDING.   The “new” building will provide much needed worship space, class room space, state of the art kitchen, offices and storage. 

click thumbnail to view plan

CAMP KINARD

At Camp Kinard, we plan extensive renovations of existing facilities to include total renovation of current dining hall into a “youth activity center”, upgrading the cottages to include porches, enclosing the outside pavilion, and improve the athletic fields and walking trails. 

BIGGERSTAFF

Our newest site, the Biggerstaff Christian Retreat Center in Seneca, SC is situated on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Keowe. Biggerstaff provides us a wonderful place to encounter the glory of God’s creation in the upstate, through water sports, family and congregational gatherings, community festivals, weddings and other special occasions. Plans for Biggerstaff include a 60 bed retreat house.  There will be kitchens, meeting space, worship space, class rooms, all that take advantage of the beautiful view and surroundings.

CONGREGATIONS CURRENTLY INVOLVED

The Congregations of the SC Synod that are involved with SCLRC's "Building+Renewing+Believing" Capital Campaign were announced and recognized at the 2008 SC Synod Assembly. SCLRC would like to say "Thank You" to all of these congregations for their enthusiasm and support of this campaign that will enrich our ministry!

St. John, Walhalla
St. David, West Columbia
Ebenezer, Columbia
Lutheran Church by the Lake, McCormick
Grace, Gilbert
Bethel, White Rock
St. Luke, Prosperity
Saint Luke, Florence
Bethlehem, Irmo
St. Mark, Isle of Palms
Faith, West Columbia
Trinity, NE Columbia
Trinity Foundation, Greenville
Cedar Grove, Leesville
Good Shepherd, Columbia
Shepherd by the Sea, Garden City
Mt Hermon, West Columbia
Reformation, Columbia
St. Stephen, Lexington
J oy Lutheran, Moore
Grace, Prosperity
Holy Trinity, North Augusta
Summer Memorial, Newberry
St. John, Lexington
Holy Communion, Spartanburg
Immanuel, Greenwood
Mt Calvary, Johnston
St. Phillip, Newberry
St. Paul, Gilbert
Messiah, Mauldin
Mt. Tabor, Little Mountain
Our Savior, Greenville
Mt. Tabor, West Columbia
Pisgah, Lexington
Reformation, Lancaster
St. Michael, Greenville
St. Paul, Mt Pleasant
St. Timothy, Goose Creek
Wittenburg, Leesville

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE:

The Building+Renewing+Believing Campaign has a number of naming opportunities available for those who would like to make a significant gift that satisfies a specific need and reveals a particular interest in retreat ministry. Fulfilling a naming opportunity is also a worthwhile way to honor a loved one with a memorial to reflect the spirit of giving that person shared with the world.

BIGGERSTAFF
Biggerstaff Lodge...$1,250,000-Fulfilled 
Biggerstaff Lodge porch.......$125,000-Fulfilled 
Biggerstaff Conference Hall................$500,000
Biggerstaff Lodge Entry Hall...............$150,000
Meeting Rooms……………………$100,000
Bedrooms.......................................$25,000

CAMP KINARD
Kinard Pavilion............................$500,000
Kinard Dining Hall........................$500,000
Kinard Chapel..............................$250,000
Lodge Area.................................$250,000
Cabin Area.................................$250,000
Conference Room.......................$150,000
Main Lodge.................................$125,000
Lodges........................................$100,000
Porch.........................................$50,000
Kinard Cabins............................$35,000
Bedrooms……………..……….$25,000

COASTAL RETREAT
Coastal Retreat Center bldg..............$1,250,000
Addtn...........................................$500,000
Multi purpose room.......................$250,000
Meeting Rooms..............................$100,000
Porch...........................................$50,000
Bedrooms....................................$25,000

There will be numerous additional naming opportunities including athletic fields, roads, gardens, patios, and porches.  If you have a particular area of interest the SCLRC board would be open for consideration.

DEVELOPMENT

A special report of our Executive Director Dallas Shealy: Plans for renovation to Camp Kinard as part of our Building+Renewing+Believing campaign included new metal roofs for the cottages to provide an updated "cabana" look to theses buildings.  Thanks to a literal act of God and to the generosity of Jeff Courtney from Fabral, Inc, these new roofs became a reality much sooner than expected!   Many of you will remember that in March 2008, a significant thunder and hail storm went through Batesburg-Leesville.   Quite a number of our Lutheran Youth were on retreat at Camp Kinard during that storm and watched golf-ball sized hail fall from the sky!   Some may have seen this weather as an inconvience, but for Camp Kinard, it was a gift!   The hail damage on our already-in-need-of-replacement roofs provided a fairly significant insurance settlement.  And thanks to Jeff Courtney of Fabral, Inc (member of Reformation, Columbia) who was able to get some materials and labor donated and at reduced prices and thanks to the generosity of many of you who have already given to our Capital Campaign and designated your gifts for Camp Kinard, we were able to go ahead and replace the roofs!    With these new roofs, we are taking the first steps in Building+Renewing+Believing!  Thanks be to God!

UPDATES:

SCLRC reports success and says "Thank You" to SC Synod Assembly

On Sunday, May 18, SC Lutheran Retreat Centers presented a campaign update to the gathered synod assembly.  Dallas Shealy, Executive Director, was happy to address the assembly and report that the “Building+Renewing+Believing” Capital Campaign at this time has reached half of its $5 million goal!   SCLRC offered a big “Thank You” and standing recognition to the members of congregations that are currently involved in the Campaign.  There was much joy and enthusiasm in the assembly about the success and spirit of the retreat center’s campaign. The list of congregations that were recognized during the assembly presentation can be viewed online at www.sclrc.com/campaign.

Congregations of the SC Synod that are not currently involved in the campaign but would like to help us reach our goal are encouraged to contact SCLRC to receive a campaign packet.  This packet will give you an overview of our building and renovation plans and an overview of starting a campaign counsel within your congregation.  Please contact SCLRC at 803-532-3183 or email contactus@sclrc.com.

SC Lutheran Retreat Centers’ Capital Campaign Building + Renewing + Believing received magnificent support from the first congregational appeal of its campaign in September of 2007. St. John’s Lutheran Church of Walhalla, SC pledged to contribute in excess of 1.2 million dollars to assist in building facilities at the Biggerstaff Retreat Center located on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Keowee in Seneca, SC. Biggerstaff will become the third South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Center through the partnering of St. John’s Walhalla and SCLRC, in which the management of the site will be entrusted to SCLRC. “St. John’s recognizes how important synod and institutional ministries are to the life of the church and full heartedly support SCLRC and its capital campaign,” explains Rev. David Coffman, pastor of St. John’s Walhalla. The approach St. John’s used to appeal for funds involved forming a congregational campaign committee, conducting temple talks, providing an informative mailing about intended development, and finally asking congregational members for their pledges. “The remarkable response from St. John’s is truly a testament of their good stewardship,” exclaimed SCLRC Executive Director Dallas Shealy.

With this momentum, SCLRC believes that the goal of 7.5 million dollars from the SC Synod is very obtainable. “We are asking for the cooperation of congregational leaders and members to make this process productive and meaningful,” states Bob Fuzy, SCLRC’s Campaign Counsel. “Our approach is different from other institutional campaigns because SCLRC is working in partnership with congregations to help raise funds not only for our campaign, but also for their identified congregational needs.”

Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia leaves legacy with SCLRC Campaign

Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, SC made a pledge of $50,000 to be given to the SC Lutheran Retreat Centers Capital Campaign upon the completion of the sale of the church’s property.  After 25 years, Trinity Lutheran has closed its doors and disbanded as a congregation due to lack of finances and membership.  This small congregation on the northeastern side of Columbia decided that the legacy of their church family would live on through donations to other Lutheran and Christian ministries and institutions. 

Trinity held a special “Sending and Sowing” service September 30th, where the congregation presented the various institutions with their intended gift.  The service was led by Trinity’s pastor Rev Delores Watson and presentation of gifts was made by congregational council president.  Among the recipients, in addition to South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers, were other Lutheran institutions such as Lutheran Homes, Newberry College, and the South Western Diocese of Tanzania.  “Even in death, there is life,” Rev Mel Amundson declared in his address from the SC Synod. 

“We are very appreciative of this gift, and we will use it in a way that will serve God’s people and honor Trinity’s legacy,” stated Larry Hamrick, Camp Kinard Resident Director.  “This gift will make a tremendous difference for the people we serve at SCLRC through church retreats, congregational gatherings, summer camps, and special needs camps,” explained Amy Catalino, director of marketing and public relations.

Porter Kinard, native of SC and son of former president of the synod for 28 years Karl W. Kinard, has stepped forward to lead SC Lutheran Retreat Centers' Campaign as Chairperson.  Porter is a ‘62 graduate of Newberry College, a former Chairperson of the Newberry College Board of Trustees, and co-owner and founder of the building and development business VIP Developers Inc.  He and his wife, Dr. Memi Kinard, are members of Incarnation Lutheran Church in Columbia and share a passion for outdoor ministry as both were involved with Lutheran camps since childhood.  “My father was one of the first supporters of Lutheran Camps.  He worked hard to bring outdoor ministry camps to South Carolina,” said Kinard.  The Kinards and their church have been long time supporters of SCLRC.  Incarnation donated the first cottage when Camp Kinard was built.  Executive Director Dallas Shealy is thrilled with Kinard’s involvement.  “Who better to lead this campaign than the son of the namesake of our first retreat center?  Porter is wonderfully dedicated and passionate about the mission of SCLRC.” 

Kinard is especially interested in providing for future generations.  “Church related and supported camp is good.  We need to make people comfortable when they come to camp and retreat.  This campaign will ensure that SCLRC can continue for generations to come.”