Our Story
Our Lasting Mission Statement
If you know T Bar M, then you know we love our traditions. One tradition that we hold fast to is our mission statement. "To present Jesus Christ, teach His ways and represent Him through an exciting, enthusiastic and encouraging camp and retreat experience." This mission statement fuels everything we do.
Our History
T Bar M started its journey in 1981, aiming to help people form deeper bonds with God's love through "good old-fashion" fun and nature's beauty.
Looking back over forty years, T Bar M has grown from a small beginning to a hiring more than 400 committed summer staff to serve it's growing list of campers. We've grown our space by adding an extra 120 acres of the beautiful Lake Travis area. Today, we welcome campers not just from Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas, but from all over the country, who are attracted by the special experience T Bar M provides.
Even as we've grown, one thing hasn't changed - our solid commitment to our mission. The same mission that motivated our late founder, Jack Turpin, still lights our way.
We invite you to join us as we carry on this journey, honoring Jack Turpin's memory and living our mission every day.
Our Core Values
Have fun along the journey.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
Servant leadership.
… Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves …
Philippians 2:1-11
Christ-centered adventure.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17
Excel still more.
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.
1 Thessalonians 4:1
God’s truth, practiced in relationships and conduct.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16
Each of us personally growing in wisdom, physical fitness, relationally, and spiritually.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Luke 2:52
It’s all about His Kingdom, it’s by His power, and it’s for His glory.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:13
What We Believe
While we’re not affiliated with any one church or denomination, our staff does hold to a common statement of faith. Individuals from all types of faith backgrounds are welcome. In our camps and retreats, campers and families will hear the Good News of Jesus Christ presented thoughtfully and lovingly each week. For those enjoying our property for a business meeting or conference, we desire to serve you following the example set by Jesus.
All scripture is God breathed. The words of the sixty-six books of the Bible were written by men of God and moved by the Holy Spirit. The whole Bible is without error in the original manuscripts and therefore authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16
2 Peter 1:20-21
God exists eternally in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and these three are the one God.
MATTHEW 28:19
DEUTERONOMY 6:4
Man was originally created by God in His own image. Through sin, man fell and lost his spiritual life, becoming dead in his sin and subject to the power of Satan. Thus man is in need of salvation.
GENESIS 1:27, 3:1-24
EPHESIANS 2:1-2
In response to man’s need, God the Father sent Jesus into this world to make atonement for sin. His substitutionary death on the cross and His bodily resurrection from the dead provide the basis for salvation. His atonement is sufficient for all, yet effective only for those who believe.
JOHN 3:16-17
1 TIMOTHY 2:3-6
MARK 10:45
Salvation for man comes only by grace through faith in Jesus and His provision on the cross. Since salvation is a gift from God, a believer is secure forever.
EPHESIANS 2:8-10
ROMANS 11:29
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer at the time of conversion. His baptism unites all believers to Christ in one body. He is the believers’ source for all acceptable worship and service.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:13
EPHESIANS 4:7-16, 5:19-20
It is God’s will for believers to live a holy life in cooperation with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit while putting to death the deeds of the flesh. God, the Father, does discipline His children.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:3
ROMANS 8:13
HEBREWS 12:4-11
The primary purpose in the life of the believer is to glorify God in everything and to make Christ known to the unbelieving world.
COLOSSIANS 3:23-24
2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-20
1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18
God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God.
GENESIS. 1:26-27
God created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman, and intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union.
GENESIS 2:18-25
1 COR. 6:18; 7:2-5
HEBREWS 13:4
All human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
PSALM 139