The Blue Ridge Heritage

Sometime in the late 1940's a young Ira North began to dream about ways to minister to the modern family. He was concerned that the Christian Home not be destroyed by the pressures of the modern world. Something needed to be done to make the family stronger. But what? He discussed several ideas with his friend J.M. Powell. As they talked, a vision began to form. People needed a retreat, a time and place for the entire family to get away together. A time and place in which spiritual values were both upheld and encouraged. Brother Powell knew of the perfect place in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Early summer seemed the perfect time. Through the vision of these two pioneers, the Blue Ridge Family Encampment was born in June of 1951.

We have not missed a year since.

Blue Ridge survived the innocence of the 50's, the instability of the 60's, the naivety of the 70's, the over-indulgence of the 80's, and the euphoria of the 90's. As we deal with the anxiety of the Twenty-first Century, Blue Ridge rolls along. The reason is simple; families still need help. That's why we keep coming back to Black Mountain. We enjoy the beauty of God's creation and the sweet fellowship of spending time with other Christians. But mostly, we enjoy our families.