Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc

A Place of Sanctuary In 2023, Lake Junaluska Assembly continued to live into its mission to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through the renewal of soul, mind, and body. Future projections during the pandemic in 2020 were that 2023 would be the first year organizations like Lake Junaluska would see the "new normal." That was indeed the case at Lake Junaluska. Large group gatherings returned in 2023, with all six large groups returning along with many new events and programs. Financial Review Lake Junaluska ended the 2023 year with an operating budget profit of 310,409. The totality of this profit was used to make a profit-share payment of up to $500 per employee as well as payroll increases for 2024. Charitable Giving and Capital Improvements Charitable giving remains strong and, in 2023, we exceeded our fundraising goal to the Annual Fund for the fifth straight year. Since generous charitable giving provides opportunities for Lake Junaluska to reinvest into its facilities and grounds, great strides have been made toward improving our infrastructure that will enable the conference center to continue to meet the needs of all guests. Over $600,000 in operating expenses were invested into our facilities and equipment in 2023. Some of the significant improvements completed in 2023 include upgrades to Stuart Auditorium with a state-of-the-art Danley sound system, removal of the Crow's Nest, a new sound/video booth and the replacement of the main projectors and screens. Work on the Warren Center multi-function event space (the former Methodist Museum building) is currently underway. A walkway to make it easier to access Susanna Wesley Garden from The Terrace Hotel was finished in the summer of 2023, and work on the interior renovation began in June and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2024. Lake Junaluska Dredging and Dam Preservation In 2022, Haywood County received a $1.5M provision in the N.C. state budget that is available to be used to pay dredging expenses at Lake Junaluska. Approximately 500-800 truckloads of sediment that results from runoff from Richland Creek and Factory Branch must be removed each year. This provision was set to expire in 2025 but has been extended to 2026. Fresh Expressions of Ministry and a Bright Future Eight theologians participated in the inaugural Theologian in Residence program in the summer of 2023. Summer activity programs included offerings such as yoga, bonfires, devotions and special events. Despite the decline in Haywood County hotel demand as a whole, the leisure ministry at Lake Junaluska has continued to grow. Continued Commitment to Our Vision Looking toward the future, Lake Junaluska continues to focus on the following guiding aspirations, which were adopted by the board of trustees in 2020: Aspiration 1: To preserve and enhance the lake and grounds so that more people will recognize the natural beauty of God's creation. Aspiration 2: To be a conference center that rivals hospitality industry leaders by exceeding guests' expectations through excellence in staff and facilities. Aspiration 3: To be the place that connects more youth to Christ through meaningful ministry, recreation, and education programs. Aspiration 4: To identify, uphold, and strengthen the Lake Junaluska tradition of implementing innovative, shared experiences - for both individuals and families - that celebrate faith, recreation, the arts, and education. Aspiration 5: To be an involved, inclusive community that provides the highest quality of life for residents and guests.