Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Gudal.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My husband and I have been with Youth For Christ since 1988. He is the Executive Director of South Central MN Youth For Christ and I have been an employee for 30+ years also. We acquired the Rice Lake United Methodist Church (originated in 1861) back in 2006 and it became Wilderness Prayer Center. We have done a handful of remodels with the latest one (which lasted almost three years) within the last five years. It has been such a joy to upgrade, improve and create a comfortable, space with much of the original aspects of the Church kept intact. We have a beautiful facility for those who would love to have a personal or church, ministry, faith based group, family retreat or get-a-way time. We are a faith based Ministry that has a created a quite, Jesus honoring, peaceful space to ‘lean in’ to your relationship with Jesus. I am the Area Director of the facility.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Mostly yes. Just normal remodel situations that arise; however we did it as we had the money so we had moments of ‘breath’ time in-between. We also used a lot of volunteer time; teens and adults.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been in full-time and part-time ministry for 39 years (as of September) and have honestly loved 98% of it. I always tease with that because if we were our honest any job, calling, career has its moments. I love that through Youth For Christ we have helped youth, sat and listened through tears, have held hands in some of life’s scariest moments, have cheered at graduations and congratulated births. Ministry is messy and miraculous. It has been an honor to be a servant for His KINGdom. On a personal level I am the proud Mama of two adult ‘chosen’ (through the foster system) adult children who have blessed us with eight grands and the fifth great- grand soon and biological Mama for two adults and two grands. I am married to the boss-man (my enduring term for him), aka Executive Director of South Central MN Youth For Christ. I have worn many hats over the years. I can never say my job is boring because it changes as the needs arise; some things I am naturally more successful in, but I am up to most challenges. I am an organized person, love to create processes, can fundraise decently and love youth (honestly the messier the better), and have been blessed to be a small group leader and mentor to a good handful through the years. I also know how to clean toilets so that comes in handy! I am a confident, goal- oriented, imperfect follower of Jesus that loves people. On the side for fun, I love movies, I am a columnist for a local newspaper; but my favorite thing is being with family and my hubs Greggy.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The Bible.
I love a good devotion; currently anything by Ruth Chou Simons.
Audio books that fit my situation to where I’m at in my life.
I receive two email Bible verses daily and love this-i have a verse always in my back-pocket!
Pricing:
- call for information
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scmyfc.org
- Facebook: W Wilderness Prayer Center
