who we areour mission
Building Relationships for Eternal Impact.
We exist to minister to the body of Christ by nurturing the saints and reaching out to those who don't know Christ. We offer Christ-centered camps and retreats that are biblically sound and relationally strong, providing godly leadership for age sensitive programming in a fun-filled environment.
In keeping with this mission, during off-season dates, our facilities are exclusively available for use by church groups and other parachurch ministries for spiritual retreats.
our StoRY
In 1950, Charles and Bonnie Barge of Macon, Mississippi began an interdenominational Christian camp ministry in the midst of a 50,000 acre pine forest in rural Noxubee County. For over 50 years, Lake Forest Ranch has been providing Christian camps and retreats in a pristine environment that is among the most beautiful settings in the Southeast. Because of its interdenominational status and remote location, many church and ministry leaders have only recently become acquainted with this valuable resource.
our VISION
The purpose of Lake Forest Ranch is to support the Body of Christ by offering Christ-centered camps and retreats that are biblically sound, relationally strong, and spiritually nurturing. We provide godly leadership for age-sensitive programming in a fun-filled environment.
THE LFR DISTINCTIVE
With a combination of high energy recreation, life-changing messages, soul-transforming small group Bible Studies, one-on-one connections with camp counselors, and Christ exalting praise and worship, your time at Lake Forest Ranch will make an eternal impact.
Pow Wows (worship services) each day feature some of the country’s most gifted presenters of God’s Truth for both the kids and youth campers. Each morning there will be a chance to spend time alone with God. Bible study, rich singing, and many more activities serve to build the faith of kids in an environment of nonstop enjoyment.
Our counselors main focus of each camp is to spend 1-on-1 time with each of their campers. In their time together the camper will have an opportunity to hear the counselor’s story and share their own. This creates a space for the staff to share the Gospel or guide the camper to their next step in following Jesus.
Who we serve
Lake Forest Ranch is non-profit and interdenominational and is a good fit for campers from evangelical backgrounds (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Bible Church, Evangelical Free, and the like). But campers who have no church background at all will find summer camp at LFR to be a blast too!
Our summer camps are co-ed, and we offer Kids, Preteen Camps, and Student Camps.
Our Summer staff
The quality of our leadership definitely matters to us! We carefully and prayerfully select our staff from a large number of applicants each year from all around the country. Staff are chosen for their spiritual maturity and love for children and youth.
The staff goes through extensive pre-summer training. They each make sure that the campers have role models who follow Jesus, love people, and know how to have fun.
Every activity is supervised with care by highly trained staff. You can be assured that each staff member will give his or her all to insure campers the best camp experience possible.
Meet the team at LFR!
70+ Years of Ministry | Lake Forest Ranch
We put together this 70 year Celebration Film back in 2020. As we look back on God's faithfulness for the past 70 years, we are also looking forward to how God will move in the next 70 years!!
