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Remembering Jack Porter

08 Apr 2020 6:49 PM | Jen Burch (Administrator)


UMCRM community members have been sharing memories and celebrations of Jack Porter this week. 



From Jane Petke, Co-Director at Suttle Lake Camp (OR):

"Jack and Ruth Porter served alongside of Daniel and I the summer of 2003, supporting us and the camp as we anticipated the birth of our first son.  I remember fondly one evening as the campers gathered in the parking lot after the first day's fire drill.  

Jack had the circle of campers look up around the circle at each other, asking, "What do we breathe in?"  The campers responded, "Oxygen!"  Then he asked, "What do we breathe out?".  The campers responded, "Carbon Di-Oxide!".  Then he had the campers look up at the tall trees surrounding them, asking "What do the trees breathe in?"   "Carbon Di-Oxide!" then asking "What do the trees breathe out?  "Oxygen!"  Then he simply said, "Isn't God good!"   I am thankful for the mentor that Jack was to me and so many camp leaders."  


From Sandy Sisson: "This is one of those times where you want to push the heart and sadness together...yes, truly a wonderful soul. It has been years ago, but I still count meeting Jack Porter as a privileged path crossing. While attending Southeastern UMC Conference Recreation, Camp, Retreat Gatherings at Sumatanga {week long events of learning/sharing/affirmation}, I was blessed experiencing workshops and his wisdom - fellowship campfire times. He made a difference in my chosen ministry vocation and personal life."


From John Erdman: "It was such an honor to follow in Jack’s footsteps at Wesley Woods and a real blessing to get to know him. He was always so positive, kind and passionate about camp and the young people we served."


From Randy Pasqua: "I am privileged to be from Holston Conference where I experienced as a teenager Jack’s leadership on retreats at Camp Wesley Woods, and then as a young pastor with ambitions for Outdoor Ministry. I am part of his camping leadership legacy that has grown from his deep love for God, for this world, but especially for us. He taught us how to listen deeply to each other as he did to us. He taught us to smile and laugh (particularly at ourselves) and find the joy in most all circumstances.  He introduced us to Jack Tales, stories of the adventures of Jack and his brothers and their life in the Appalachian Mountains. He modeled many of the antihero characteristics of Jack as he embraced life as it came, and looked after us with deep compassion and love. He always found a way to help us become the hero of the story rather than himself. This Christlike spirit is the foundation that Jack established for us to carry on as he ventured into the wider world of United Methodist Camping. And then we have been doubly blessed to have Jack back among us in his retirement years. Smiling, encouraging, and leading with a story of hope, possibility and love."


From Jan Thomas:  "I remember meeting Jack and Ruth at the first national gathering I attended in 1976. He told me that he was the director of Wesley Woods in Tennessee, which I had never heard of. Who knew that I later would be the director there and would live in the house that he built? Our paths crossed often through the years, and it was always a joy. His was a life well-lived."


From Lee Padgett: "...truly great servant...I remember Jack took me rappelling for the very first time during the SEJ annual recreation lab the week after Easter years ago. He had that genuine sweet gentle spirit that drew you in."


From Camp Tekoa (NC):  Jack was the Executive Director of Camp Tekoa in the 1980s-90s. He was a beloved fatherly figure to campers and staff for many years. Under his leadership, Tekoa reached thousands of children in the name of Christ and formed the faith of hundreds of young adults, many of whom are in ministry today. Jack served local churches in our area alongside his ministry at Tekoa out of his deep love of pastoral ministry.

Jack was known for his hilarious and engaging stories, his gentle chuckling laugh and his kindness to every person that knew him. He had a twinkle in his eye as he worked and played at camp, modeling for us all how to share the love of God with children. You might find him climbing a tree or scaling a rock or possibly scratching notes on a piece of cardboard for the next new ropes course element he'd thought up. He would never leave a piece of trash on the ground (after all he grew up in Scouting) and he would never leave a smidge of leftovers in the fridge (he had been spotted eating many varied concoctions and interesting combinations of food). The Camp Tekoa experience of today was formed under his leadership and vision.

Outside of Camp Tekoa, Jack was well-known in the Christian camping community. He revitalized several sites, assisted smaller locations in developing programs and constantly sought ways to support the greater camping community.

May we all remember the fun skits he performed with his beloved wife, Ruth, the Jack Tales stories he committed to heart and the beautiful echoing of Jack's voice across the lake at candlelight. Camp Tekoa exists today because of his deep love, sacrifice and call to ministry.



We know many more UMCRM folks have delightful memories of Jack. Feel free to add yours in the comments below!


Donations in Jack's honor may be sent to the Porter Scholarship Fund for sending children and youth to camp. Make checks payable to Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries and write Porter Scholarship Fund in the memo line. Mail to Mary Thompson, CRM Executive Director, 262 Bart Green Dr., Gray, TN 37615.


Comments

  • 09 Apr 2020 1:42 PM | Al Hammer
    I remember one summer (1978 I think) at Wesley Woods while I was serving as Jack's assistant director we had experienced a particularly challenging week with rain and extraordinary behavioral camper issues. After seeing all of the campers off after supper on Friday evening, the staff did their normal clean up chores but began a behind the scenes campaign to do a road trip into Maryville to the local BR (Baskin Robbins). Upon hearing the rumblings, it wasn't too hard to talk Jack and Ruth into going with those of us who would be staying around for Saturday duties. So, we loaded up the camp van and walked into BR at 9:55 PM (Closed at 10:00). Jack talked them into staying open for us and the 15 of us ordered all our favorites (Jack treated!!) including some of the more macho staff ordering the Matterhorn (8 scoops & 8 toppings) in a competition to see who could eat the whole thing by themselves. Jack loved ice cream and easily downed his Matterhorn sundae. (I know I'm not the only one who found Jack in the Camp kitchen eating a half cantaloupe with a scoop or two of chocolate chip mint ice cream in the middle). When we finished at BR, of course everyone was wired with sugar and Jack wasn't about to let us go back to camp in that state, so we went to the local park and played on all the slides, monkey bars and swings for over an hour singing camp songs and playing tag. By that time we were hot and thirsty so we went to an all night Kroger and got piles of junk food and drinks and took them back to the small apartment of our Camp secretary and spent the next hour or so listening to Jack tell stories. As we wound down there, we finally loaded back in the van and headed the 30 minutes back to camp. By the time we got back with all the singing and joking on the ride back, no one was ready to let go of the bonds developed through our excursion. Needless to say when we rolled back into camp the consensus was set, Jack grabbed the keys to the swimming pool and a couple of staff rotated serving as Life Guards for the next hour or so of swimming and games. It wasn't quite dawn when we finally headed to our bunks with promises to Jack that we'd be up and ready for weekend hosting duties by breakfast! What a night, one I'll never forget! Jack was an awesome leader and mentor and we would have done anything for him! A true servant heart and humble spirit. I've got many more stories if folks want to hear them!
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