When Jeanie Barton arrived at her first UMCRM National Gathering in the fall of 2021, she was still finding her footing. Just a few months into her new role at Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center in Tennessee, Jeanie was wide-eyed and eager, stepping into a calling she hadn't expected but deeply hoped to understand.
Jeanie had originally trained to be an elementary school teacher and spent years serving in local churches. While she had grown up attending Lakeshore and had volunteered and worked there during summers, she had never imagined camping ministry as a career. Her entry into full-time camp leadership came unexpectedly, and with it, a deep sense of curiosity—and some uncertainty—about whether she belonged. The National Gathering sparked something new. When she heard about the upcoming Immersion Experience, she felt an immediate pull. “I knew I wanted to go,” she later reflected. “But I didn’t realize the journey it would lead me on.”
Immersion confirmed that her new path was more than a job—it was a calling. But her journey didn’t stop there. Upon returning from the Immersion retreat, her director, Gary Lawson, surprised her with the news that Lakeshore would support her in pursuing the Compass Points Certification Program. That support changed everything.
Through Compass Points, Jeanie not only gained practical skills in areas like theology and program design but also found a vibrant, affirming community. In her first course, she felt like a camper again—nervous, unsure, surrounded by strangers. But that nervousness quickly gave way to connection. “I was welcomed with open arms,” she said. “Some of these people had known me less than one day and were already championing my work.” Each class deepened her sense of purpose, even as she faced tough feedback and rewrites. The faculty didn’t let her settle for “good enough.” They challenged her because they saw her potential. That push helped her grow from a new hire into a confident, competent Program Director.
Now, Jeanie’s Compass Points certificate hangs proudly in her office—not as a decoration, but as a daily reminder of her journey. She speaks with pride and joy about the community she’s found and the leadership she’s developed. “I’m honestly more proud of my work from Compass Points than my college degree,” she shares. “Because every course affirmed me for who I am and the work I’m doing.”
Jeanie’s transformation was made possible because of a supportive and connected network of leaders through UMCRM. She found a community of people who believe in cultivating the next generation of camping leaders. UMCRM opportunities like Immersion and Compass Points launch leaders like Jeanie into lives of purpose and service. When you give to UMCRM, you’re not just funding programs—you’re helping people find where they truly belong.