Ridgecrest seeks stories of 100 years

At the dawn of the 20th century, B.W. Spillman pondered the idea of developing a place devoted to helping his fellow Southern Baptists draw nearer to God, receive Bible training and build lasting friendships.
   
Spillman envisioned a location in the mountains where people could escape from everyday life to experience spiritual renewal.
   
His vision was fulfilled in 1907, and as LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2007, it’s clear that Spillman’s dream has enriched countless lives. From humble beginnings in a log cabin near Asheville, N.C., Ridgecrest has grown into one of the largest Christian conference centers in the United States, with year-round programs held in modern facilities nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 
   
But the true story of Ridgecrest is not about a place — it’s about people. “In the past century, more than 2 million people have visited Ridgecrest,” said Mike Arrington, vice president of the corporate affairs division of LifeWay Christian Resources which owns and operates Baptist conference centers at Ridgecrest and at Glorieta, N.M. 
   
“Thousands of pastors, missionaries and church staff members can point to a moment at Ridgecrest when they committed their lives to Christ or to vocational ministry,” Arrington said. “Marriages have been restored, families strengthened and numerous laypersons have been trained for ministry.”
   
To help tell the Ridgecrest story, LifeWay is seeking testimonials from people whose lives have been touched at the conference center for a book to be published by Broadman & Holman, LifeWay’s trade book division. 
   
The commemorative book will trace the conference center’s heritage from its beginning in 1907 to the present, highlighting in words and pictures the way generations have had their lives changed at Ridgecrest. Stories and photos may be sent via e-mail to Ridgecrest100@lifeway.com. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. 
   
For regular postal mail, send your story and a photocopy of your picture to LifeWay Corporate Communications, Attn: Ridgecrest 100 One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0192.
   
If your picture is selected to appear in the book, a representative from Broadman & Holman will contact you to make arrangements to borrow and return the original photo. 
   
Individuals whose stories and/or photos are selected for publication also will receive complimentary copies of the Ridgecrest book. (BP)