In the ELCA, “vocation” names the many ways God works through our lives. At Water’s Edge Ministries, we see vocation discovered not by having everything figured out, but by belonging somewhere safe enough to listen — to God, to others, and to ourselves. One of the clearest expressions of that calling is our Hospitality Associate program.

Through a partnership with Ridgewater College, young adults (like Blake, pictured left) studying plumbing, electrical work, veterinary technology, auto mechanics, nursing, cosmetology, and more live in community at Green Lake Bible Camp.

In exchange for housing and meals, they offer ten hours of hospitality leadership each week — welcoming retreat guests, preparing spaces, assisting with meals, and ensuring each group feels cared for.

This work is not separate from God’s call. It is ministry lived out through attentiveness, responsibility, and service.

Parker Palmer writes that vocation is found where “our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” Drake Krupke, an electrician student and Hospitality Associate, reflected, “Being a host here is a gift. I get to work with all kinds of people, help out where needed, and grow as a person.”

Guests notice that growth. Retreat evaluations consistently highlight the kindness and professionalism of these young adults, with one guest sharing, “Student hosts are AWESOME—helpful, polite, and friendly.”

Hospitality Associates remind us that ministry does not only happen from pulpits or stages. It happens in kitchens, retreat centers, and everyday acts of welcome. By creating spaces where others can rest, learn, and encounter God, these young adults are not only supporting ministry — they are discovering their own.
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And in that discovery, the whole community is strengthened.

Faith is changing. In a world shaped by speed, screens, and do-it-yourself solutions, fewer people are finding their way into traditional faith settings. Yet the spiritual need hasn’t disappeared.

If anything, the hunger for connection, meaning, and renewal has grown. That reality places a clear and urgent question before Water’s Edge Ministries: if people aren’t entering traditional faith spaces the way they once did, how will they encounter transformative faith experiences today?

Our response is grounded in what we know transforms lives. Our vision is this: we’re bringing the magic of camp to people young and old, to help people begin—and begin again—their faith journeys.

For generations, camp has created something powerful. Not just activities or memories, but immersive experiences where people feel known, challenged, and supported. It’s a place where joy is shared, community forms quickly, and the life-changing love of Jesus is experienced in real and lasting ways. We believe that experience isn’t limited to a single place or season. The “magic of camp” is a way of creating environments where people belong, grow, and encounter Christ. Today, that kind of experience is needed far beyond traditional camp weeks.

To live into this vision, Water’s Edge Ministries is focusing on four strategic priorities. We are building engagement for Camp, Serve Boldly, and Gatherings beyond church congregations. We are expanding our organizational mindset to reflect the full geographic reach of our ministry. We are intentionally infusing the magic of camp into all ministries, while also weaving the Serve Boldly spirit of service and accompaniment more deeply throughout all we do.

Together, these priorities represent an important shift in posture. Rather than waiting for people to come to us, we are committed to meeting people where they are—on lakeshores and retreat sites, in neighborhoods and partner communities, and in both expected and unexpected places.

This is a pivotal moment for faith formation. The pathways may look different than they once did, but the need for hope, belonging, and spiritual renewal remains. In many ways, Water’s Edge is “breaking camp”—not leaving it behind, but carrying its heart forward. Because wherever people experience community, purpose, and the love of Jesus, new faith journeys can begin.