Center for Christian Growth / T Bar M Camps 
The information on this page was last updated 1/5/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
T Bar M Camps is a non-denominational Christian camp, retreat and conference center with locations in New Braunfels, Texas and on Lake Travis near Austin. From overnight camps for 1st through 11th graders, to day camps for K-5th graders, it is our joy to give campers and families the experience of their lives. Camp is about relationships, and with each summer that passes, we find ourselves more committed than ever to the power of play, the value of sports and the healing benefits of nature.
Contact information
Mailing address:
T Bar M Camps
2549 Hwy 46 W
New Braunfels, TX 78132
Website: tbarm.org
Phone: (830) 620-4263
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 751671920
CEO/President: John MacDonald
Chairman: Jack Turpin
Board size: 9
Founder: Jack Turpin
Ruling year: 2015
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2013
Purpose
T Bar M is where the love of God meets the love of being together. Kids are invited to play their hearts out, families are invited to connect, and adults are invited to relax and recharge, all in a Christian camp and retreat experience with new discoveries at every turn. We believe that if we train each heart, the body will follow.
Mission statement
The mission of T Bar M Camps & Retreats is to present Jesus Christ, teach His ways, and represent Him through an exciting, enthusiastic and encouraging camp and retreat experience.
Statement of faith
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)
That God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis. 1:26-27)
That God created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union. (Genesis 2:18-25, 1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4)
That 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)
This belief statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Center for Christian Growth's faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Trustees is Center for Christian Growth's final interpretive authority on the Bible's meaning and application.
Donor confidence score
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Transparency grade
C
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Camps/Conference Centers
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 537 of 1435 | 11 of 37 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 428 of 1435 | 13 of 37 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 857 of 1435 | 17 of 37 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 597 of 1436 | 16 of 37 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 5% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 7% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 30% | 30% | 24% | 24% | 31% | 32% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 70% | 70% | 76% | 76% | 69% | 68% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 81% | 82% | 78% | 79% | 79% | 73% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 75% | 77% | 81% | 70% | 118% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 61% | 60% | 64% | 56% | 86% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | 25% | 23% | 19% | 30% | -18% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 21% | 21% | 20% | 35% | -19% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 15% | 16% | 20% | 18% | 18% | 25% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.38 | 0.42 | 0.44 | 0.48 | 0.41 | 0.49 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.70 | 2.15 | 8.56 | 5.69 | 3.59 | 7.73 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.56 | 0.91 | 3.78 | 2.71 | 1.49 | 3.75 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 5.45 | 1.48 | 0.31 | 0.41 | 0.57 | 0.22 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.18 | 0.68 | 3.20 | 2.43 | 1.77 | 4.62 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.37 | 4.27 | -6.99 | -6.36 | -6.19 | -11.58 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 32% | 38% | 43% | 50% | 61% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 256% | 162% | 141% | 119% | 121% | 81% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $657,380 | $479,710 | $1,279,528 | $1,615,024 | $420,679 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $355,003 | $275,940 | $192,228 | $298,763 | $258,140 |
| Short-term investments | $11,772,113 | $1,914,314 | $2,009,460 | $3,039,947 | $1,247,141 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $12,784,496 | $2,669,964 | $3,481,216 | $4,953,734 | $1,925,960 |
| Long-term investments | $45,611 | $6,422,587 | $3,127,231 | $40,148 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $14,630,854 | $13,677,594 | $13,102,333 | $12,786,622 | $12,959,520 |
| Other long-term assets | $84,629 | $87,829 | $90,964 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $14,761,094 | $20,188,010 | $16,320,528 | $12,826,770 | $12,959,520 |
| Total assets | $27,545,590 | $22,857,974 | $19,801,744 | $17,780,504 | $14,885,480 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $158,213 | $166,793 | $235,926 | $280,911 | $137,826 |
| Other current liabilities | $8,501,788 | $8,380,578 | $8,238,494 | $8,476,926 | $8,759,558 |
| Total current liabilities | $8,660,001 | $8,547,371 | $8,474,420 | $8,757,837 | $8,897,384 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $5,904 | $75,826 | $144,364 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $84,629 | $87,829 | $90,964 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $84,629 | $87,829 | $96,868 | $75,826 | $144,364 |
| Total liabilities | $8,744,630 | $8,635,200 | $8,571,288 | $8,833,663 | $9,041,748 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $11,208,480 | $7,438,306 | $7,405,822 | $7,173,248 | $5,732,895 |
| With donor restrictions | $7,592,480 | $6,784,468 | $3,824,634 | $1,773,593 | $110,837 |
| Net assets | $18,800,960 | $14,222,774 | $11,230,456 | $8,946,841 | $5,843,732 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $4,671,673 | $3,154,411 | $2,804,195 | $3,198,275 | $1,969,799 |
| Program service revenue | $9,891,057 | $9,223,637 | $8,402,304 | $7,133,594 | $4,172,606 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $577,708 | $394,170 | $4,502 | $3,666 | $28,984 |
| Other revenue | $327,644 | $308,536 | $445,928 | $138,082 | ($31,163) |
| Total other revenue | $10,796,409 | $9,926,343 | $8,852,734 | $7,275,342 | $4,170,427 |
| Total revenue | $15,468,082 | $13,080,754 | $11,656,929 | $10,473,617 | $6,140,226 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $9,477,403 | $7,879,685 | $7,470,288 | $5,859,965 | $5,302,839 |
| Management and general | $1,861,790 | $1,978,563 | $1,742,100 | $1,317,574 | $1,782,782 |
| Fundraising | $253,198 | $230,188 | $208,008 | $197,647 | $141,076 |
| Total expenses | $11,592,391 | $10,088,436 | $9,420,396 | $7,375,186 | $7,226,697 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $3,875,691 | $2,992,318 | $2,236,533 | $3,098,431 | ($1,086,471) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $3,875,691 | $2,992,318 | $2,236,533 | $3,098,431 | ($1,086,471) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| John Macdonald | President - Trustee - Treasurer | $153,882 |
| Leighton Cole Adams | Senior Director of Development | $124,193 |
| Andrew Krawiec | Senior Director of Operations | $118,882 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2024
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 1/5/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
We started T Bar M in 1981 as a way to connect people more deeply to the love of God, through good old-fashioned play in the midst of the beauty of His creation.
Three decades and change later, we may have grown to over 350 summer staffers, added 120 more acres on Lake Travis (and more paint balls than we can count), and draw campers from Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and states across the nation, but we haven't strayed one bit from that mission.
Program accomplishments
Over 30,000 people experience T Bar M every year with their group, company, school or though our kids summer camp.