Anthony Briggs is originally from North Carolina. He has worked professionally in youth and outdoor ministries for 26 years. Before coming to New Jersey, he served as Executive Director of Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center in Western New York and as Executive Director of Lutheran Retreats, Camps, and Conferences of Southern California. Travel, reading, history, and pottery are a few things he loves. Writing bios about himself, not so much.
What is Cross Roads’ mission and what makes it unique?
Outdoor Ministries are unique for many reasons. Camp provides a place and a time apart, where people of all ages can retreat from the stress and burdens of everyday life in order to regroup and refresh with God. Jesus gave us the example of heading up the mountain and getting lost in the wilderness in order to spend much-needed time in contemplation. Our lives are so busy and loud most of the time. In all that noise, it can be difficult to hear God. Camp provides a place and time apart where we can be quiet and calm our lives to re-connect with God and better discern God’s will for us. And our Stink Bugs wear liturgical vestments.
What’s happening at Cross Roads now that you're most excited about?
It’s Spring!!!! The season of new life and preparation. Our year-round retreat ministry is growing leaps and bounds, especially with the recent addition of the new high-comfort Christ Center. The heart and soul of Cross Roads, however, are our summer camp programs for youth and families. We are busy preparing camp for summer. At Cross Roads we know that young people need camp, now more than ever!
And our desserts. When eaten at Cross Roads, they are all fat, sugar, calorie and cholesterol free!!! Very exciting, indeed.
How did the joint venture between the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and the NJ Synod of the ELCA come about?
A group of forward-thinking leaders knew that together we are stronger. Merging our former Outdoor Ministries, Eagle’s Nest and Camp Beisler into Cross Roads helped to ensure a strong, healthy future. Maintaining and improving camp and retreat facilities is rather expensive. Sharing the responsibility makes our mission viable and vibrant. And some Bishop had a really good hand in a game of poker.
At the 2011 Diocesan Convention you led everyone in a sing-along of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.” How is having fun compatible with spirituality?
At camp we believe that God needs us to laugh, play, rejoice, giggle, go nuts, chill out, be silly and stop taking EVERYTHING soooooo seriously. We know that there are many challenges and issues to address in the world. Camp helps people to decompress and gain perspective. Through laugher and play we know the soul is rejuvenated and healed and ready to be sent out into the world.
Everything we do at camp is intentional. We work very hard to help our campers relax, “take off their masks,” and open their minds and hearts so that the Holy Spirit is allowed in. Young people need to know that God wants them to have fun and to live a life full of joy and laughter. So we know that having fun and being spiritual are not only compatible, they are the same thing!
And we tell lots of jokes. Like “Did you hear the one about the lawyer in Heaven?” Oh, right, never mind, it couldn’t happen....
What activities do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? See you all at camp!
