Advocate of the Year: Sharing the Story of Camp Far and Wide

For the last 5 years, we have awarded the Advocate of the Year Award at the Annual Meeting in February. This award is given to a person of the highest quality and character that speaks the language of GLLM, representing its mission and work at all times and in all places. The 2024 winner of the Advocate of the Year award has been presented to Jim Zollner.

Jim Zollner’s proactive spirit and steadfast dedication have made him an indispensable part of our ministry. His journey with GLLM began years ago when our Bible Camp found itself short on firewood. In response, a call was made—and a man known then as “the Woodman” answered without hesitation. That man was Jim.

Since that pivotal moment, Jim has consistently stepped in to support our mission by blending common-sense strategies with a heartfelt commitment to ministry. Who else would bring along supplies to change the oil on the camp tractor during a family vacation at Medayto Lodge? Jim is known for taking care of the little details that keep our operations running smoothly.

Whether he’s rallying donors to secure a much-needed Polaris Ranger or inviting new volunteers to share in the mission, Jim’s contributions have enriched our community in countless ways.

At the end of our annual meeting, we proudly presented Jim with the Advocate of the Year Award. His decades of impactful service, practical wisdom, and commitment to connecting strategy with ministry truly embody the spirit of advocacy at GLLM. Please join us in celebrating his remarkable contributions!
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This award was originally awarded to and named after Dave Eliason, long time employee and Executive Director of Green Lake Lutheran Ministries. During his tenure, Dave represented the ministry and the values of camp constantly. He had a talent for sneaking camp into every conversation, advocating for the well-being of camp and its community at all times, all with a cup of coffee in hand. The winners of this award have had this similar quality, and we are so incredibly grateful for their work and passion for this place.

Previous winners:
2018: Dave Eliason
2019: Marlys Larsen
2020: Mary Toufar
2021: Don Heath
2022: Phyllis Jacobson
2023: Pr. Naomi Mahler
2024: Jim Zollner

Use the button to read more about our past Advocates of the Year:  

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Advocate of the Year Award