The Hidden Acres Podcast

Listen in to Josh as he talks with Hidden Acres’ new Spiritual Formation Director, Matt Candlish! In this episode, you’ll hear Matt share about his heart for ministry, his journey of serving others across many different states, and his deep passion for walking and pouring into others. We hope this is an encouraging conversation about calling, leadership, and supporting those who serve. Interested in working at camp for a year? Head to hacamps.org to learn more about our Project Path and Resident Programs which allow you to experience and be a part of this ministry in a unique way.

Welcome back to the Hidden Acres Podcast! Listen in as Josh and Jaq reflect on our first retreat of the year, staff shares CCCA's takeaways, upcoming spring events, and more! Episodes are posted monthly!

Merry Christmas!In this episode, Josh and Jac take time to reflect on an incredible year at Hidden Acres. From record-breaking retreats and welcoming new staff members to our annual telethon and so much more, it’s been an amazing journey. Listen in as they celebrate what God has done and share exciting sneak peeks into what’s ahead for Hidden Acres in 2026.

Now that summer camp is right around the corner, it’s time to put the regular podcast schedule to rest for a while. In this episode, Josh and Taylor talk about summer camp, look back on a great year of ministry, and say thanks for listening. See you in the fall!For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

What’s better than a two-day conference for EFCA churches packed with solid teaching, great worship, engaging workshops, and camp cookies? Mini-interviews of course!As is tradition, we sat down with some pastors and ministry leaders at the 2025 EFCA Central District Conference at Valley Church in West Des Moine, IA, and it was an absolute blast. We’re so thankful to be a part of such a thriving and gospel-focused community. To find out more about EFCA Central, visit www.efcacentral.org/ For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

In this month’s update episode, Josh and Taylor recap March AND April, and look forward to May.May PreviewSpring Blaze, May 2-4Just You and Me Dad, May 9-10Senior Saints DAYS, May 13 and 14Memorial Day Family Camp, May 23-26For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

Today, Josh and Taylor step out of the way and let you listen to the message given by Josh Denhart at our 2025 Friends and Family of Hidden Acres Gala and Auction (FAFOHAGAA) on Sunday, February 16, 2025.To hear more from Josh, visit LeadVolunteers.com or listen to the Lead Volunteers Podcast wherever you listen to the Hidden Acres podcast.And if you know of anyone looking for a summer job, here’s our Summer Staff Website and our Summer Staff Application.For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

In this month’s update episode, Josh and Taylor recap January and look forward to March.February Recap Winter Blast 2, Jan 31-Feb 2 Summer Staff Spring Equipping Class starts, Feb 3 Winter Blast 3, Feb 7-9 Gala Fundraiser, Feb 16March Preview HA Marriage Retreat, March 14-16 Sportsmen’s Retreat, March 20-23 Summer Staff Spring Training, March 28-30Recruiting Update Soteria Church, Des Moines, Wednesday, February 26 Valley Spring Reset, W Des Moines, Sunday, March 2 Madrid EFC Youth Group, Madrid, Sunday, March 2 Boone EFC AWANA, Boone, Wednesday, March 5 New Life Church, Pleasant Hill, Sunday, March 9 Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Des Moines, March 14-15Here’s the Summer Staff Website, the link for our Quick Info Form, as well as the full Staff Application.For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

Today, Taylor is joined by Hidden Acres’ own Ministry Director, Ryan Graden, to talk about the upcoming Friends and Family of Hidden Acres Gala and Auction Fundraiser event (a.k.a the FAFHAGAF).This event will be held at Hidden Acres on Sunday, February 16 at 3:30 pm. It’ll have a great meal, a silent auction, a live auction, and a dessert auction. Plus a great message given by former camp counselor and current ministry leader Josh Denhart. You won’t want to miss it!For more information, visithacamps.org/gala-and-auction You can also start bidding on the silent auction items right now:32auctions.com/HAGala25 For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visithacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email topodcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.If you’d like more information about being on our Summer Staff, here’s theStaff Website, the link for ourQuick Info Form, as well as the fullStaff Application.Music Credit: Life by Roahttps://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

In this month’s update episode, Josh and Taylor recap November/December/January and look forward to February. November/December/January Recap - Summer Staff Worship Night, Nov 30 - Giving Tuesday Telethon Fundraiser, Dec 3 - Impact Youth Conference, Jan 3-5 - Men’s Retreat, Jan 17-19 - Winter Blast 1, Jan 24-26 February Preview - Winter Blast 2, Jan 31-Feb 2 - Summer Staff Spring Equipping Class starts, Feb 3 - Winter Blast 3, Feb 7-9 - Gala Fundraiser, Feb 16 Recruiting Update - Cornerstone Youth Group in Ames, Wed, Jan 29 - Stonebridge Youth Group in Cedar Rapids, Wed, Jan 29 - Iowa Falls EFC, Wed, Feb 5 - Salt Company in Columbia, MO, Thur, Feb 6 - CMS at Emmaus University in Dubuque, Mon-Tue, Feb 10-11 - Navs Disciplemaker Conference here at camp, Sat, Feb 15 - Moody Camp Fair in Chicago, Wed, Feb 19 - Valley Youth in W Des Moines, Sun, Feb 23 - Soteria Youth in Des Moines, Wed, Feb 26 Here’s the Summer Staff Website, the link for our Quick Info Form, as well as the full Staff Application. Also, here’s the link to Bible Pathways, the totally real sponsor for this episode. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media. Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

Merry Christmas! In this gift-wrapped episode, Josh and Taylor look back at all God did at Hidden Acres in 2024. Plus the top 10 books we read this year. Thanks for a great ministry year and we look forward to seeing you in 2024! Josh’s Top 10 books of 2024: 1 Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper 2 Praying Like Monks: Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton 3 Three Views on Remarriage After Divorce by Zondervan 4 The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis 5 Finding the Right Hills to Die On by Gavin Ortlund 6 Two Views on Women in Ministry by Zondervan 7 Echoes of Exodus by Alastair J. Roberts & Andrew Wilson 8 The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis 9 Scribes and Scripture by John Meade and Peter Gurry 10 Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Warren Taylor’s Top 10 books of 2024: 1 Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney 2 The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer 3 Echoes of Exodus by Alastair J. Roberts and Andrew Wilson 4 Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop 5 Forgive by Tim Keller 6 Journey into God's Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays 7 This Momentary Marriage by John Piper 8 Don't Follow Your Heart by Thaddeus Williams 9 The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCracken 10 The Gospel of Exodus by Michael P.V. Barrett For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media. Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

Today it’s our annual call-in show! In this time-honored tradition, we open up the phone lines and take questions from callers. Ask us anything! For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media. If you’d like more information about being on our Summer Staff, here’s the Staff Website, the link for our Quick Info Form, as well as the full Staff Application. Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

In this very special episode, Josh and Taylor are joined by Ministries Director Ryan Graden himself to talk through some of the details for our upcoming Telethon Fundraiser, which will be livestreamed on Facebook and Youtube on Tuesday, December 3, from noon to 8 pm. If you’d like to partner with us in this exciting project, here’s our donation page. For more information, visit our website. The other upcoming event they talk about is the Summer Staff Worship Night, which will be on Saturday, November 20, from 6-8 pm at camp. If you’d like more information about being on our Summer Staff, here’s the Staff Website. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media. Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

In this very special episode, Josh and Taylor walk through the theme for Summer Camp 2025: Wilderness Register for camp today at hacamps.org. Here’s the Staff Website, the link for our Quick Info Form, as well as the full Staff Application. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media. Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

In this month’s update episode, Josh and Taylor recap October and look forward to November. October Recap Senior Saints’ Day, Oct 1 Ladies’ Horse Retreat 2, Oct 4-6 EFCA Young Adult Retreat, Oct 4-6 The big SALT retreat, Oct 11-13 CCCA Fall Fellowship, Oct 14-16 Ladies’ Horse Retreat 3, Oct 25-27 Started interviewing for 2025 summer staff November Preview Summer Staff Worship Night, Nov 30 Giving Tuesday, Dec 3 Recruiting Update Northwestern in St. Paul Wednesday, October 30, 2024 Bethlehem College in Minneapolis Wednesday, October 30, 2024 Cedar Valley Christian School in Cedar Rapids Wednesday, October 30, 2024 University of Sioux Falls Monday, November 4, 2024 Christ Community Church in Ames Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Crosswinds EFC in Spirit Lake Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Ankeny EFC Friday, November 8, 2024 Grace Church in Mason City Sunday, November 10, 2024 SALT Company in Ames Thursday, November 14, 2024 Grand View Christian School in Des Moines Monday, November 18, 2024 Pella Christian Wednesday, November 20, 2024 Indianola Community Church Sunday, November 17, 2024 Ankeny Christian Academy Tuesday, November 19, 2024 Emmaus University in Dubuque Wednesday, November 20, 2024 Oakdale EFC Sunday, November 24, 2024 Summer Staff Worship Night at Camp Saturday, November 30, 2024 Here’s the Staff Website, the link for our Quick Info Form, as well as the full Staff Application. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media. Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

In this very special episode, Josh and Taylor interview Dr. Jacob Sorenson, an innovative camp researcher and founder of Sacred Playgrounds, an organization dedicated to the study of Christian summer camps. To find out more about Dr. Sorenson and Sacred Playgrounds, visit www.sacredplaygrounds.com. The findings from the Rhythms of Faith Project can be found at www.rhythmsoffaith.com. You can also find The Sacred Playgrounds Podcast wherever you listen to the Hidden Acres Podcast. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media. Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

Welcome to the new season! In this season 6 kickoff episode, Josh and Taylor recap the incredible summer season we had, and look forward to the new school year. Fall Preview Sr Saints Day, Oct 1 Two more Ladies Horse Retreats, Oct 4-6 and 25-27 EFCA Young Adults Retreat, Oct 4-6 Summer Camp (and all other event) registration opens November 1 Marriage Retreat Dec 6-8 Fundraiser Telethon on Giving Tuesday, Dec 3 Pool closed for updates in December Recruiting Update Kairos in Ames, Wednesday, Oct 2 FCA Fields of Faith in... West Sioux, Wednesday, Oct 2 Sioux Center, Sunday, Oct 6 Storm Lake, Wednesday, Oct 9 Ankeny EFC, Wednesday, Oct 9 Northwestern, Wednesday, Oct 9 Dordt, Wednesday, Oct 9 UNW in St Paul, Wednesday, Oct 30 Bethlehem College in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Oct 30 Here’s the Staff Website, the link for our Quick Info Form, as well as the full Staff Application. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media. Music Credit: Life by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031

Today we’re pleased to bring you all four of the chapel messages from our 2024 Women’s Retreat, which was September 13-15, 2024. The main chapel speaker was Rebekah Johnson from Veritas Church in Iowa City, where she serves as the Director of Women's Ministries and Small Group ministry leader. This message is from chapel session #4, which was on Sunday morning, September 15, 2024. The speaker for this session was Mandy Stenberg, who is on staff at Hidden Acres. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.

Today we’re pleased to bring you all four of the chapel messages from our 2024 Women’s Retreat, which was September 13-15, 2024. The main chapel speaker was Rebekah Johnson from Veritas Church in Iowa City, where she serves as the Director of Women's Ministries and Small Group ministry leader. This message is from chapel session #3, which was on Saturday evening, September 14, 2024. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.

Today we’re pleased to bring you all four of the chapel messages from our 2024 Women’s Retreat, which was September 13-15, 2024. The main chapel speaker was Rebekah Johnson from Veritas Church in Iowa City, where she serves as the Director of Women's Ministries and Small Group ministry leader. This message is from chapel session #2, which was on Saturday morning, September 14, 2024. For more information about Hidden Acres Christian Center, visit hacamps.org, call our office at 515-547-2751, send an email to podcast@hacamps.org, or look us up on social media.