Ponderosa Staff

Meet the Staff

The staff members of Ponderosa Student Ministries and Ponderosa Bible Camp are a group of dedicated Christians!

Each of us feel a special calling on our life to serve the Lord through this ministry.

It is our goal to win children and youth to Christ and equip them to grow in their relationship with Him.

Jeff Nelson Executive Director of Ponderosa Student Ministries Jeff & Ann Nelson, along with 10 of their 11 children are resident staff at Ponderosa. Jeff serves as Executive Director of Ponderosa Student Ministries and Ponderosa Bible Camp. He oversees all areas of ministry here at Ponderosa. Ann serves as Food Service Coordinator, oversees Hospitality & Guest Group Relations, and is the Photographer & Webmaster. The Nelson family is in ministry together. They work together, play together, and minister together at Ponderosa. Jeff grew up coming to Ponderosa as a camper, beginning in the summer of 1976. In High School and College, Jeff served as a Camp Counselor, Lifeguard, and Program Director through 1985. Jeff is a 1983 graduate of Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham. Jeff also has a BS degree in Business Management from UAB. After spending 12 years managing a landscaping company in Birmingham, the Lord called Jeff and Ann into full-time ministry, and brought Jeff back to the place he loved so much growing up! The Nelsons joined the staff in May of 1998. Their oldest son, JT, got married on June 18, 2011. JT & Katie are raising support to join our staff by May 2012. Click here to read more of the Nelsons story! To make a tax-deductible donation to Ponderosa Student Ministries on behalf of the Nelsons click here:	Max Grizzard Director of our Ponderosa Public School Ministry known as: "DeKalb County Released Time" Max & Sherrie Grizzard and their 7 children reside in Sylvania. Max serves full-time as the Director of our Public School Ministry called "DeKalb County Released Time". Max is carrying on the work of the original "Bible Man" of this area, Bro. W.A. Hunt, reaching over 1,000 public school children each week with the Gospel of Christ. Max & Sherrie "move to camp" during the summer to assist with our Summer Camp Program. Max coordinates our T.E.A.M. Volunteers during Summer Camp. Sherrie coordinates our snack shop and gift shop. Max is a graduate from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Sherrie graduated with a degree as a Social Worker. The Grizzards joined our staff in October of 2000. Max also serves part-time as Youth Pastor at Sylvania Baptist Church. Click here for more about Released Time. To make a tax-deductible donation to Ponderosa Student Ministries on behalf of the Grizzards click here:
Daryl & Diane Chavers and daughter Kim The Chavers have been in residential childcare ministry for a combined total of over 30 years. They have served at The Big Oak Ranch and most recently at the Tennessee Baptist Children's home in Memphis, TN. While in ministry, they have served as residential house parents, relief house parents, business manager, campus manager, and coordinator of activities. The Chavers joined our staff in April 2009. They live in Mentone with their daughter Kim. Their experience and heart for children has made them a great asset to the Ponderosa Staff! To make a tax-deductible donation to Ponderosa Student Ministries on behalf of the Chavers click here:	Chris & Gina Dorough Caleb, Braeden, & Ella Raising support to join our staff by May 2012! To make a tax-deductible donation to Ponderosa Student Ministries on behalf of the Doroughs click here:
Dustin & Leanna Allen Raising support to join our staff by May 2012! To make a tax-deductible donation to Ponderosa Student Ministries on behalf of the Allens click here:	JT & Katie Nelson Raising support to join our staff by May 2012! To make a tax-deductible donation to Ponderosa Student Ministries on behalf of the Nelsons click here:
Amelia Baxter Bookkeeper/Secretary Mrs. Amelia is our only "hired staff". She works part-time as our bookkeeper. She handles our finances as well as Camp registrations! She has been a vital part of our staff since 1998!	Dawn Hinkle Summer Missionary & Craft Director Dawn Hinkle, her husband Dave, and their 3 children live in Trussville, AL. Dawn and the kids "move to camp" each summer to serve as Summer Missionaries. Dawn's ministry is taking full responsibility of our summer craft activities. Each summer Dawn outdoes herself by adding "new and improved" craft opportunities for the campers. Dawn offers the campers ceramics classes, complete with a potter's wheel and kiln. She also offers leather crafts, airbrush, and tie-dying. Dawn spends the off-season planning and preparing ideas for the next year. Dawn loves "bargain hunting" during the off-season and searches for crafts that can be offered to the campers for a minimal price. Dawn raises donations to the ministry to help us reimburse her for ministry related travel expenses and the purchase of craft room supplies. Dawn is a graduate of Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, AL To make a tax-deductible donation to Ponderosa Student Ministries on behalf of Dawn click here: Dawn is a blessing to have on our summer staff!

The staff members of Ponderosa Student Ministries/Ponderosa Bible Camp

are faith-supported missionaries.

What is a faith-supported missionary?

Faith-supported missionaries are required to continually help raise funds to help this ministry meet its payroll budget needs.

These needs are communicated to individuals and churches so that others can embrace their vision and support the missionary prayerfully and financially.

God blesses this biblical model of partnership in several ways. In addition to the necessary finances, the missionary receives more effective prayer and a network of ministry partners. Members of a missionary's support team gain God’s blessings for being faithful and engage more fully in a life-changing ministry.

How to Support Our Staff:

Pray for their needs:
Pray that the Ponderosa staff will:

· Impact the lives of students with the Gospel.

· Faithfully follow and help disciple these students throughout the year.

· Stay encouraged, biblically rooted, and focused on what God has called them to do.

· Raise their portion of the ministry's budget each year so that they can dedicate their time to ministry.

Send Financial Gifts:
As you give, ponder these biblical guidelines:

· “Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

· “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

· Give first...not from what’s left.

· Give joyfully...not grudgingly.

· Give faithfully...hot haphazardly.

· Give sacrificially...not selfishly.

No gift is too small or too large.

You may mail your donation to the office:

Ponderosa Student Ministries

1018 County Rd 734, Mentone, AL 35984.

Make checks payable to Ponderosa Student Ministries.

Each donation you make is tax-deductible and will be acknowledged with a tax-deductible receipt.

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

Your gift will enable us to continue reaching students with the Gospel!

Ponderosa Student Ministries is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization Ponderosa Student Ministries is an affiliate of Children's Bible Ministries with locations from South FL to VA Click here to subscribe to our Email list if you want to stay informed about this ministry and camp info! We promise your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.