Updated Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Ridgecrest Conference Center: A century of legacy, spiritual renewal

By Don Beehler

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, is a place many people are surprised to learn is one of the largest Christian conference centers in the nation. From humble beginnings in a single log cabin, Ridgecrest Conference Center has grown into a 1,300-acre campus with 90,000 square feet of conference space and housing accommodations for more than 2,500.

In 2007, Ridgecrest - a ministry of LifeWay Christian Resources - celebrated its 100th anniversary. As the center enters its second century, its mission continues to focus on helping people and churches know Jesus Christ and seek His kingdom by providing the best conference center environment for experiencing spiritual transformation and renewal.

"Ridgecrest has been called a mountain of faith," said Bill Bowman, general manager of Ridgecrest, listing the center's challenges in its early years, which included a fire, two floods and a series of financial crises.

Bowman recounted how in the late 19th century B.W. Spilman dreamed of establishing a place for Southern Baptists to meet and learn how to teach the Bible to the multitudes. "It was his faith in God that kept Spilman going," Bowman said.

Billy Graham, a frequent speaker at Ridgecrest, especially in the early years of his ministry, wrote in a letter commemorating the center's 100th anniversary that "Ridgecrest has been a center not only for inspiration and blessing to people that live in Western North Carolina, but to hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country."

"There are many thousands of pastors, missionaries and church staff members who can point to a moment at Ridgecrest when they committed their lives to Christ or to vocational ministry," said Byron Hill, national director for LifeWay Conference Centers. "Marriages and entire families have been strengthened or transformed, and numerous laypersons have received training to better equip them for ministry."

While Ridgecrest is best known as a retreat for Southern Baptists, in recent years it has drawn visitors from a variety of Christian denominations. Special discount rates for ministers and their wives make Ridgecrest an affordable escape from the noise and interruptions of everyday life.

Jim Henry, retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., first set foot on the grounds of Ridgecrest at age 13 and later worked as a staff member. What makes Ridgecrest special from other conference centers is its spiritual atmosphere, he said. "People who come to Ridgecrest have a great opportunity to have an experience with God," Henry said. "I saw it happen so many times; Jesus met them in a special way at Ridgecrest."

While growing up in Boone, Travis Cottrell never imagined he would one day lead worship for thousands of men and women all over the country alongside best-selling author and speaker Beth Moore and other well-known Christian leaders.

The seeds for Cottrell's worship-leading ministry were planted during his first visit to Ridgecrest in 1985. Cottrell recalled entering Spilman Auditorium as a 15-year-old and the life-changing experience that followed.

"I walked in and something happened to my spirit," Cottrell said. "It was the moment that the Lord called me into ministry."

While no two Ridgecrest experiences are exactly alike, some things remain constant: the rockers on the balcony, the spectacular views into the hillsides and the cool, misty mornings. Some come to Ridgecrest for conferences, seminars or church retreats. Others come as a family, with their spouse or as individuals for a time of solitude. But no matter the reason for their visit, those who enter this grand mountain retreat have abundant opportunities to enjoy fellowship, meet with God and experience spiritual renewal.

In recent years, Ridgecrest has undergone a revitalization plan that includes renovations and construction of new facilities for lodging, conference meetings and worship space.

By combining modern-day conveniences and state-of-the-art technology with spectacular scenery and an atmosphere that returns visitors to a simpler, less-hurried time, Ridgecrest will continue to create special memories generation after generation.