Meet Emily Chamblee — a Quiet Spiritual Leader on the Mountain for the Master
MIDDLETOWN, Md. — You may have met Emily Chamblee while at Skycroft Conference Center for a retreat or camp, but even if you haven’t, you’ve been blessed by her work, care, and prayers. Chamblee, the head housekeeper, was recently honored at the BCM/D annual meeting for many years of service as a Skycroft team member. She joined the staff in 2007 on a part-time basis and transitioned to full-time in 2013.
Emily and Jim Chamblee work together at Skycroft Conference Center. (Photo by Dominic Henry)
As housekeeping manager, Emily ensures all the rooms and facilities are neat and clean and oversees part-time and seasonal workers. She is thrilled to be able to work with her husband, Jim, who serves as a maintenance technician. Jim began working at Skycroft in 2005. He married Emily in 2006, and she joined the staff the following year. Emily said, “We love what we do because we love what God does here.”
Sharing about her life, Emily says, “I grew up on our farm in Frederick County, which had been in our family since 1740. I milked cows with my Dad from my early years until I finished college at Towson University. My family continues to milk cows.” That experience and her education led her to a career in dairy nutritional consulting for 25 years, running her own lab. Emily also worked at a cancer center, in charge of quarantine, and at the Frederick Rescue Mission (FRM), where she served as director of education, leading the Life Recovery program for six years. When Skycroft partnered with the mission to help men in recovery through a work program, she transitioned to her current position. She said, “Everything I need for where He asks me (to go or do), He provides. I have learned to look for God in every moment because He is there. I have learned the power of the Word and using His Word.”
Regarding her spiritual journey, Emily said she was a child when she gave her life to Jesus. “The Lord drew me in very early in life before I even started school. I loved the Old Testament stories, which I read constantly. I was drawn to the Bible before first grade. I accepted Jesus when I was nine on an Easter Sunday on our farm. God was so present in my days on the farm.
Emily Chamblee was recognized for ten years of full-time service at Skycroft Conference Center at the BCM/D Annual Meeting in November. (Photo by Sharon Mager)
“I have many God stories — too many to tell. I developed Lupus at 24 and was very sick until I was 49. God carried me all those years. He taught me so much and showed me His unfailing love. God taught me to always go to Him first and that He is always present. God showed me powerful things that Johns Hopkins, NIH (National Institute of Health), and other doctors could not. In 2000, God healed and totally restored me.”
Emily loves her job at Skycroft. She says she has many “divine appointments” — opportunities to talk with campers and visitors about the Lord and encourage them.
“Jim and I have seen God work in the hearts of so many young people and adults that He draws to Skycroft. I have seen so many young people, like Emily Reedy (Skycroft director), who helped me in Hebrews Coffee Shop when she was 15 years old, become powerful agents for God serving Him so well.”
Reedy calls Emily a hero in the faith. “If I had a Mt. Rushmore of people who have influenced my faith and my walk with Christ, she would be on it. She taught me how to pray and has been a life mentor since I was 15. She loves her heavenly Father so much and wants to please Him and she channels that into her work. She really cares about providing the best. She takes it really seriously.”
BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle said Emily is an encourager and a strong prayer warrior. “Emily Chamblee’s love for Jesus and our BCM/D family is obvious. I, along with many other BCM/D staff members, have received handwritten letters from her expressing her prayers, thanks, and encouragement. Her notes of encouragement have blessed me. She is a prayer warrior. If you ask Emily Chamblee to pray, she is on it!
“Emily is also humble. She serves with no expectation of reward. When I observe Emily, I see someone who displays such assurance that no matter what happens, God is faithful, God is sufficient, and God will handle it. Her example impacts me in a powerful way!“
Emily said, “I can agree with the ending of John’s Gospel that I could not begin to record all the amazing things Jesus has done in our lives throughout good and difficult seasons, throughout our families, through the powerful ways He moves at Skycroft. Always look for God wherever you are – He is always present.”
