Deer Run Retreat

VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bill & Noni Butler

David & Liz Gibson

Harmon & Jennifer Jones

Mickey & Barbara Robinson

Jeff & Wende Sheets

Larry & Kate Watkins

Jimmy & Angie Williams

Listen to hear founder David Gibson's story from his March 2008 interview with Debbie Alan, OnTheHomeStretch.com, a daily internet radio show. CLICK HERE

On May 14, 2008, Debbie & her crew broadcasted live from The Lodge at Deer Run. CLICK HERE to hear an opening session with David and CLICK HERE for interviews with David & Liz and about Deer Run Camps.

And, CLICK HERE for a call-out from the May 15, 2008, show of OnTheHomeStretch.com

COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mission teams from local churches come to Deer Run for team-building on the challenge ropes course. They learn to communicate better, to accomplish a task together, and to maximize their ministry by discovering the specific skills/gifts of each team member including who has strong leadership skills in their group. Unity is developed. With encouragement from the group, an individual may overcome a personal fear. This experience better prepares teams for their mission trip.

Local counseling ministries testify that the experiential learning that takes place in this retreat setting and on the challenge ropes course can accomplish more in one day than a month of one-on-one office counseling.

FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes/www.fca.org) Huddle Groups from Middle Tennessee schools and universities participate in weekend retreats involving the challenge ropes course, which encourages integrity, character, responsibility, and incorporating their faith into everyday living.

Belmont University has retreat weekends for incoming freshmen and sports and leadership teams to build relationships with one another before the school term begins.

Teachers and staff from area schools meet at Deer Run Retreat for training, planning, and team-building before and during the school year.

Williamson County Youth Leadership, a community service group made up of high school youth, has an annual planning and team-building retreat.

Other retreats include married couples weekends, men and women's retreats, Bible study class fellowships, father-son weekends, family reunions, and church staff, leadership, and ministry team retreats..

Who We Are Deer Run is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nondenominational Christian camp and retreat center. Founded in 1998, Deer Run is located 40 miles south of Nashville and strategically located within 4 hours of 9 major metropolitan areas. Easily accessible to churches, schools, universities, community leadership organizations, and ministries, Deer Run is located on 100 acres of scenic, wooded property just 10 miles from historic downtown Franklin, TN. Deer Run is a member of CCCA . OUR MISSION To transform lives through a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ while connecting with others in a camp or retreat setting. OUR VISION By partnering with churches, ministries, and community organizations, Deer Run seeks to create unforgettable camp and retreat experiences that reach, educate, and nurture the next generation of Christ followers by providing spiritual renewal, healing, restoration, inspiration, hope, and adventure. We invite you to experience God at Deer Run and become passionate about serving Him on a daily basis. HISTORY CLICK HERE for a printable PDF of the History of Deer Run Retreat (1996-2008). STAFF

			Founder/President: DAVID GIBSON Communications Director: LIZ GIBSON David & Liz were born and raised in middle Tennessee and love the culture, landscape, and outdoor activities in this area. They met at Columbia Central High School and married two years after graduation. After years of being on a road to achieve success in their careers, David and Liz felt called by God to do something more significant with their time, finances, and gifts. In 1996 God led David to this specific piece of property in Williamson County, which had been sitting untouched for 17 years, and gave him a vision, both powerful and humbling, of the ministry He wanted David to build. God immediately confirmed in Liz that this was the place to begin the ministry, and within two months they had sold their dream home in downtown Franklin and had begun to clear the land on weekends. David soon sold his formal wear business and started a custom home construction business which he owned up until January 2008. Liz, who was an employee of LifeWay Christian Resources for 13 years, began working as a self-employed freelance graphic designer 18 months prior to purchasing the property for Deer Run. She homeschooled their 3 daughters (Annie, April, & Allyson) through their high school years. David and Liz have 7 grandchildren (Tristen, Isaac, Ezra, Riley, Zoey, Greffen, & Tinzley) and 3 fabulous son-in-laws (Branden, John, & Nathan). "We are passionate about sharing Christ and His love through this ministry and serving others by living out the Scripture which is Deer Run’s vision: ’As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God’ (Psalm 42:1)".



			Camps & Recreation Director: FRED REYES Fred grew up in south Texas and over the last 20 years has served as Youth and Recreation Minister for several churches in Texas and Tennessee. For nearly 15 years Fred served in various ministry positions at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. Fred developed a love for camp ministry through children and youth camps he attended, and later he served on staff for these camps. Fred is married to Sharon and they have been blessed with three wonderful children: Ahnna, Caleb and Seth.
VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bill & Noni Butler David & Liz Gibson Harmon & Jennifer Jones Mickey & Barbara Robinson Jeff & Wende Sheets Larry & Kate Watkins Jimmy & Angie Williams NEWS & MEDIA CLICK HERE for Deer Run's most recent newsletter. Listen to hear founder David Gibson's story from his March 2008 interview with Debbie Alan, OnTheHomeStretch.com, a daily internet radio show. CLICK HERE On May 14, 2008, Debbie & her crew broadcasted live from The Lodge at Deer Run. CLICK HERE to hear an opening session with David and CLICK HERE for interviews with David & Liz and about Deer Run Camps. And, CLICK HERE for a call-out from the May 15, 2008, show of OnTheHomeStretch.com COMMUNITY IMPACT Mission teams from local churches come to Deer Run for team-building on the challenge ropes course. They learn to communicate better, to accomplish a task together, and to maximize their ministry by discovering the specific skills/gifts of each team member including who has strong leadership skills in their group. Unity is developed. With encouragement from the group, an individual may overcome a personal fear. This experience better prepares teams for their mission trip. Local counseling ministries testify that the experiential learning that takes place in this retreat setting and on the challenge ropes course can accomplish more in one day than a month of one-on-one office counseling. FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes/www.fca.org) Huddle Groups from Middle Tennessee schools and universities participate in weekend retreats involving the challenge ropes course, which encourages integrity, character, responsibility, and incorporating their faith into everyday living. Belmont University has retreat weekends for incoming freshmen and sports and leadership teams to build relationships with one another before the school term begins. Teachers and staff from area schools meet at Deer Run Retreat for training, planning, and team-building before and during the school year. Williamson County Youth Leadership, a community service group made up of high school youth, has an annual planning and team-building retreat. Other retreats include married couples weekends, men and women's retreats, Bible study class fellowships, father-son weekends, family reunions, and church staff, leadership, and ministry team retreats.. MISSION CAMPS Follow this link for MORE INFO!