For over 85 years, Forest Home has been a movement of God, seeing the winds of revival blow throughout Southern California and into the farthest reaches of our world.
In 1937, our founder Henrietta Mears visited Forest Home–then a privately owned resort in the San Bernardino Mountains. She declared, “Don’t bother to stop … we can’t afford all of this.”
The property was appraised at $350,000 in 1937. Where would that kind of money come from?
Then, in 1938, a great storm came upon the valley and tore across camp. The cabins were washed away, but the rest of the campsite remained unharmed. After the storm, Bill Irwin called Henrietta Mears and offered to sell Forest Home for $30,000!
Since that amazing start, God has granted Forest Home unprecedented impact for His Kingdom. Many have been a part of His purpose and plan here. Will you join us?
“Dr. Henrietta C. Mears … has had a remarkable influence, both directly and indirectly on my life. In fact, I doubt if any other woman outside of my wife and mother has had such a marked influence… She is certainly one of the greatest Christians I have ever known!”
On a mission as the Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, Henrietta Mears was one of the most influential Christian leaders of her time.
In addition to founding Forest Home, she also established the Gospel Light Sunday School Curriculum, and the GLINT (Gospel Literature International) ministry. She had a profound impact on the ministries of Jim Rayburn (Young Life) and Billy Graham (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) with her clear Gospel message catered specifically to young people.
She is believed by many theologians to have directly shaped Bill Bright’s (Campus Crusade), Four Spiritual Laws, which defined modern evangelism. Her What the Bible Is All About (Regal) has sold over three million copies.
“You teach a little by what you say, you teach most by what you are.”
