Questions About Wildwood and the Boardwalk Chapel
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1) Could you describe somewhat the area of Wildwood and the Boardwalk?

Wildwood is a flat Island about 5 miles long and 2 miles wide. There is a boardwalk that runs for two miles along the beach with shops and food stands on one side and the beach and several piers (full of rides) on the other side.
The city is trying to reestablish itself as a family resort and is having some moderate success. The population in the summer can be 300,000 or more, but only around 20,000 during the winter. Most of the tourists come from NJ, NY, PA, DE, and MD. There are a number of bars and dance clubs, but we have no problem with them as a ministry, because we concentrate our work in the Chapel, on the Boardwalk and on the Beach.
I have put an article A Night on the Boardwalk, written by my daughter, on the web. It describes a bit about Wildwood and what an evening of ministry is like.
(2) If the volunteers are unemployed and able to devote full time, what type of activities will occupy their day? Do they have large amounts of free time?
Volunteers can work up to forty hours per week (during the day) at area businesses. If they work less than twenty hours, we devise a daytime schedule for work at the Chapel, Dunn House Dorm or at Calvary Church.
The daily schedule for a full-time volunteer might look as follows:
9:00-12:00 Maintenance, cleaning, or special project

12:00- 2:00 Break

2:00- 5:00 Chapel evangelism or Beach evangelism or children's ministry

They might help to host visiting youth groups, work at VBS at Calvary Church, develop new tracts, etc. If they have a part-time job, then these hours would be pro-rated.

All staff have the following evening schedule
5:30 p.m. Evening devotions and meal

6:00 Clean up

7:00 Music and skit practice at the Chapel

8:00 Evening program participation

9:30 Boardwalk evangelism / chapel evangelism / tract distribution

(We keep the Chapel open until midnight)

12:00 Curfew

1:00 a.m. all retire to their rooms

Monday night is usually a personal night off; every Thursday following the evening program is men's and ladies Bible study; 3-4 times a summer the staff has a Friday night off for fellowship together.
Sunday's are a complete day of rest from secular work and from Chapel responsibilities. Attendance at Calvary OP Church services (S.S., a.m. & p.m.) is all that is required for the Lord's Day.
(3) Does the $420.00 cover all their food for the 12 weeks, or are they responsible to provide some of their own? What other costs will there be besides personal spending money? About how much money is necessary for the summer stay?
The amount will be $420 for the 12 weeks in 2000. That covers all food served at the Dunn House Dorm (meals and snacks) and for fellowship night activities. If staff want to buy pizza or sodas on the boardwalk, or stock up on personal treats, that will be extra.

The room at the Dunn House Dorm is supplied by the Chapel ministry. So there are no costs outside of food, transportation to and from Wildwood and personal needs. To budget for health needs, however, would be prudent if there is no insurance.

(4) Is there any kind of preparation that one could do in advance to be ready to minister there?
Prayer of course.
I believe that this is a very difficult ministry. Night after night we are open to the Boardwalk. Slackness can so easily set in from the Director on down. The job is never finished. The days off and fellowship nights help, but one on one witnessing is a difficult task during the hot days of summer.
Make sure that finances are in order.
40 hours per week of work is rare (most average 25-35 hours) for 7-9 weeks that work is available. Only minimum wages are available. Essentially it is a sacrifice for workers to come and minister in Wildwood. College tuition etc. is usually expensive and many find that it is just too costly to come.
Raising support.
This is not required, but churches and friends will often contribute to help with food and travel costs. I am happy to help in any way.
Memorization of Gospel scriptures.
I have posted those scriptures on the WEB as well. Usually I send the list when a staff person is approved. See God's Word.
Memorization of the main Gospel tract that we use "Trusting Christ." The text of that too is now on the webTrusting Christ.
(5) Are there generally a large number of applicants who have to be turned away?
I do not have a large number apply because I do not have the funds for extensive publicity. The internet may be a partial solution but I have not made use of that as of yet. I have physical room for 3 couples and 20 single people. The average is 14 people per summer the lowest being 8 and the highest 21 (over the past 10 years).

Different guest ministers or youth groups come for a week at a time. Some come with 5-8 persons but the average is around 12. See the Ministers schedule for the most recent summer and the one being prepared for the up coming summer.

Many guests stay at area hotels or camp grounds and come to the Chapel from time to time to participate in the services.
 

Thank you for your questions.    In Christ,   Jon W. Stevenson

Map | Purpose of Chapel | A Brief History | QualificationsT raining   | Summer Speakers
  A night on the Boards | God's Word | Chapel faq | OPC Home Page | Jesus Is God
 Youth Ministry Guidelines-NEW | Trusting Christ Tract