 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! 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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 After spending a summer working at camp, one of the most common remarks we hear from young staff members is that it’s “indescribable.” Spending a summer as a camp counselor, immersed in a caring, diverse community focused on the well-being and faith formation of young children, surrounded by new friends in God’s beautiful creation, is a hard experience to summarize briefly. Where does one even begin?
Lethu Nkwanyana, a summer staff member from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa described it through poetry: How do I summarize a summer into a song, or preserve a paradise into a poem? Can I compress these adventures into a paragraph? Only those who have experienced can truly understand. I remember the echo of our prayer gliding across the lake. It's moments like these that make life worth living. To be a camp counselor is to unwrap all the love in you like a Christmas gift, unraveling layers of your heart that you never knew existed. Sometimes, share a joke; the campers' giggles become medicine. Their smiles can heal a wound beneath your soul. Like marshmallows, we are all soft. Vulnerability is the bridge that we build, connecting hearts and souls— a community. Astounding how a single summer can harbor lifetime memories. I remember a child's goodbye, their eyes brimming with tears. I couldn't help but sob, shaking uncontrollably. That's how it feels to impact a life positively— divine. Camp is not a coincidence. To see the kids smile is enough. I am enough. Let's gather around the campfire. We could not have said it any better. Gather around the campfire with us this summer! If you or someone else in your life are looking for summer employment, we'd love to visit. Learn more about working at camp. |
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