We drove up to Loveland, Colorado to visit Group Publishing Headquarters. As a children's pastor I used lots of resources provided by Group including their VBS curriculum, their Hands On curriculum and I was an avid reader of Children's Ministry Magazine, which they produce. I was also thrilled to be able to write an article for this magazine last year.
So it was a great joy to stop in and see where the magic happens! As you enter the building you hear applause, evidently there glad you came! The first thing you notice is a huge moose head hung on a big brick fireplace. If you stand there looking at him pretty soon he will start talking to you. This was an abundant source of amazement for out little guys! As you walk further in you see the hind-end side of the moose on the other side of the fireplace! The entire decor of the lobby and much of the building is one of our favorites - Adirondack.We were treated to lunch by the head of the Children's Resourcing department at Group - Chris Yount Jones, and some of her staff. They have an incredible cafeteria with a world class chef at the facility. The boys had pizza and cookies and Patsy and I had paninis. We felt so honored as Chris and her staff "picked out brains" about current trends and needs we have seen in children's ministries across the continent. We felt flattered that they would seek our opinion!
After lunch we gave a tour of Howard and then Chris gave us a tour of the headquarters. It was cool to see how Group is striving to make a creative workplace to encourage their employees to think creatively themselves. The entire place just made you feel ready to come up with brilliant ideas! They had lots of little gifts for our kids there too, which they loved and they felt very special as well.
Group continues to be a great organization for churches on so many levels, and I can tell you they have a heart to equip those ministering to kids and really want to stay connected to what local churches are needing to be successful in their mission! Be sure to check them out if you are not familiar with their organization.
What a shame I'm just now finding your blog. We are right near Loveland and would have enjoyed speaking with you about your RV life, since we hope to start doing the same by January.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading of your adventures.
~Cheryl
We are in Longmont area now for a couple of days - St Vrain State Park. Let us know if you want to stop by!
ReplyDeleteOh, we're just a ways across that highway from you! I'm wracking my brain right now trying to figure out if there is some way to meet up, but we leave for Branson, MO early Thursday, and we're swamped the next 2 nights on last minute details. We'd just love to get your input on your adventure so far.
ReplyDeleteHow long will you be there, and do you have a firm schedule? I just found your blog, so I don't know too much yet about what you're doing.
We are here until Wednesday morning! We are going to visit Boulder tomorrow afternoon, but nothing else set!
ReplyDeleteWell, due to our schedule the next few days, it may not happen, but do you have a contact you can email me, if we are able to work something out? We have staging we're practicing tonight for a contest in Branson over the weekend, so we need to practice, and I have to buy food for the trip, plus our house is under contract and must have some final work done before the inspection, which will happen while we're gone. I'm rattling my brain trying to figure out how to squeeze a few more hours into my days this week.
ReplyDeleteIf nothing works out this time, we'll try to catch you again!