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.
What began as one woman’s prayer and vision in the San Bernardino Mountains became a place where generations of families, students, pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders have encountered Jesus in deeply personal ways.
In 1937, our founder Henrietta Mears visited Forest Home, then a privately owned resort tucked away in the San Bernardino Mountains. Looking around at the property, she famously said:
Don’t bother to stop… we can’t afford all of this.
At the time, the property was appraised at $350,000, an impossible amount for the ministry.
But in 1938, a massive storm swept through the valley and tore across the property. Cabins were washed away, yet much of the campsite remained untouched. After the storm, the owner, Bill Irwin, called Henrietta and offered to sell Forest Home for just $30,000.
What seemed impossible suddenly became possible.
And what began as a miraculous provision from God became the beginning of a ministry that would impact millions of lives for generations to come.
Henrietta believed there was something powerful about gathering away from distraction, in the beauty of creation, with hearts open to what God wanted to do. Forest Home was created to be more than a getaway. It was meant to be a place set apart where people could clearly hear the voice of God.
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.
“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!”
Dr. Billy Graham
Forest Home became a place where God shaped leaders whose impact would reach far beyond the mountains.
In 1949, Billy Graham came to Forest Home wrestling with one defining question:
“Can I fully trust the Bible as the true Word of God?”
One evening after speaking, he walked alone into the woods, placed his Bible on a tree stump, and prayed for God’s guidance and confirmation. That moment became a defining turning point in his ministry and spiritual conviction.
Just weeks later, the Los Angeles Crusade launched, helping spark a movement of evangelism that impacted millions around the world.
At Forest Home in 1947, Bill and Vonette Bright experienced a profound spiritual calling that would eventually lead to the founding of Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru).
What began on this mountain became a global evangelism movement that would reach millions with the Gospel.
Henrietta’s vision and teaching helped shape generations of Christian leaders and ministries. Her influence extended far beyond Forest Home through the people she discipled, encouraged, and challenged to fully trust God and His Word.
Her prayer was simple:
That people would encounter Jesus here.
That prayer still shapes Forest Home today.
Since 1938, 3.5 million people have encountered Jesus, experienced transformation, and engaged their world for Christ through Forest Home. We have stood shoulder to shoulder with faithful churches who stand on the truth of Scripture, and have fervently proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and taught God’s Word to families, youth, and children. Our legacy is etched in the hearts of millions of guests who would consider Forest Home as their place of rebirth in Christ. As our founder, Henrietta Mears, shared years ago, “Forest Home exists for one reason and one reason alone: to introduce men, women, boys and girls to Jesus Christ and help them find the place He wants for them in this world.”
God continues to raise up pastors, missionaries, marketplace ambassadors, and ministry leaders from these hallowed grounds. What happens at camp today is powerful. It’s life changing…. for eternity.
Whether you’re coming for the first time or returning to the mountain once again, we believe God still uses places set apart to change lives. We would love for you to experience it for yourself.
40000 Valley of the Falls Dr.
Forest Falls, CA 92339
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