Kenny Daniel, originally from Kentucky, participated in Uptick Core 2022-2023. Kenny is currently the Operations and Pastoral Director at CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center in Lowesville, VA (just southwest of Wintergreen Resort). Chelsea Anderson (Core '21-'22) sat down with Kenny to learn a little about what God is up to in his life. When Kenny participated in Uptick, he was still serving as the pastor of what he thought would be his forever church in Colonial Beach, Virginia. However, Kenny received a call while serving there that changed life for him and his family.
“It was a kairos moment that drew me to CrossRoads. I was pastoring in Colonial Beach and thought that would be my forever church. I had been there for four and a half years and had no plans or intentions of leaving. My wife had a full-time government job that she loved.”
One afternoon as Kenny sat at his desk, finishing up his sermon about call and discernment, he pondered the words from Isaiah 6: “Lord, here am I, send me.” After putting the final touches on the sermon, he quickly checked his e-mail before heading home and noticed a vacancy at CrossRoads Camp. Later that day, he casually mentioned it to his wife and laughed about his earlier dreams about being in camp ministry.
A week later, he received a phone call and learned that the CrossRoads team had been praying diligently all week about filling the spot of camp director. After a week of praying and seeking, the Holy Spirit had led the search team to Kenny's name specifically. They asked him to seriously consider the position. Kenny was blown away by the phone call because he had not reached out to CrossRoads or sought the position.
At that point, Kenny and his wife realized they should actually talk and pray about the position more seriously. They sat down and wrote out every potential obstacle to joining the staff of CrossRoads, which added up to eight. As they prayed through each obstacle, God knocked them down one by one until there was no reason left to say no. It was clear to the Daniels that God was in this opportunity and that He was making a way. As the obstacles fell, Kenny and his wife realized that they were going to take a step of faith and move their family to CrossRoads.
At CrossRoads, Kenny now uses the tools, the Lifeshapes, and teachings that he received from Uptick to disciple, encourage, and lead the staff on the mountain as they minister to each that comes up. He loves the teaching tools that come as bite-sized pieces in order to make theological practice accessible to all levels of disciples that he oversees.
His favorite tool to use in ministry is the Semicircle, which focuses on rhythms of work and rest.
Kenny shares, “It’s easy to get swept up in the busyness with over 100 kids on the mountain. It’s so easy to get overburdened. Every day we charge our counselors with the need to carve out at least 15 minutes of 'river time.' River time for us on the mountain is at a stream called Little Piney River. We urge them to go and sit by the stream to pray, journal, and just spend those 15 minutes with God. We press on them pretty early, even during staff training, that if we’re going to make it through the summer and magnify God’s name through it all, then river time is essential. It’s our version of 'winning the first battle of the day.'"
Kenny would love to invite Uptick alumni to visit him on the mountain. CrossRoads Camp is meant to be a resource for those who are in ministry. He loves to give tours (in off-season!). The property is a summer camp in June and July, but in the fall and spring it becomes a retreat center for anyone who loves the Lord, regardless of denomination or affiliation. The property consists of 600 acres with plenty to do. If you’re looking for ways to encourage and help Kenny out with his new calling, he is also always looking for more summer staff. If you know older high school students through college-aged students who know and love the Lord, Kenny would love to have a conversation with them about what it looks like to spend a summer on the mountain.
River Time at CrossRoads Camp.
The Semicircle Lifeshape Tool
