For decades, Green Lake Lutheran Ministries (GLLM) has been more than a summer camp—it has been a home, a sanctuary, and a launchpad for faith-filled lives. On a cold Saturday in February, Executive Director Travis Aufderheide sat down with longtime alumni and dedicated supporters, Red and Karen Mastin, to reflect on how camp has shaped their lives and continues to inspire future generations.
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Red and Karen’s connection to camp started in the 1980s. Karen, who grew up in northern Minnesota, first attended White Earth Lutheran Camp, following in the footsteps of her brother, who worked at Green Lake Bible Camp. Red discovered camp through his church’s pastor, Howie Skulstad, and with encouragement from his parents. Neither of them could have predicted the lasting impact camp would have on their faith, friendships, and even their future together.

Like many who step onto the sacred grounds of GLLM, Red and Karen found more than just fun in the sun. They found community, deep relationships, and ultimately, each other. They met in 1984, and in 1985, as Red puts it, “Karen decided she could tolerate me,” and they began dating. Even during years apart in graduate school, camp remained a touchstone for their relationship, offering a place to reconnect and reaffirm their shared values.

From Thursday night banquets and the staff musical to chapel singing and talent shows, camp traditions remain woven into the fabric of Red and Karen’s story. Red recalls Camp Joy week with a chuckle, remembering the joy and camaraderie that made that time special. Separately, he fondly remembers helping set up musicals, running lights, and working microphones because, as he admits, “I couldn’t sing.” For Karen, the emotional goodbyes at week’s end highlighted the depth of connections built at camp.

Red and Karen’s love for GLLM extends far beyond their time as campers. They have remained deeply connected as dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and proud camper parents. Red served on the GLLM board, helping shape its future, while both have continued to give their time and resources in countless ways to ensure camp’s impact reaches new generations. They understand firsthand the profound effect the summer camp experience has—not just on campers, but on the young staff members who dedicate their summers to guiding, mentoring, and leading others.

Camp has evolved over the years, adapting to shifts in society, camper demographics, and staffing challenges - its essence remains the same: a place of joy, belonging, and growth. Red and Karen have proudly watched their children, Kris, Ana, and Eli, follow in their footsteps, experiencing camp’s power to nurture leadership and faith.

For Red and Karen, GLLM is more than just a place—it’s a mission. They stress the importance of holding true to GLLM’s vision and resisting external pressures that could shift its focus. At the same time, they acknowledge the need for camp to evolve while remaining rooted in its core values and steadfast in their purpose, to embrace the joy of ministry, and to be present in every moment.

We are so grateful for Red and Karen Mastin. Their reflections underscore an undeniable truth--Green Lake Lutheran Ministries is not just a camp. It is a community, a family, and a place where faith and friendships flourish for generations to come. To join Red and Karen in preparing for generations to come, consider making a gift at www.gllm.org/give-today!

Bob and Sue Anderson have been coming to Lake Andrew for over 30 years, right next door to Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp. Their kids would sit at the end of their dock and sing along to the camp songs. Most of their grandkids have been baptized in water from Lake Andrew. Eventually, Bob and Sue turned their seasonal cabin into their full-time residence. “God gets the best part of the lake, but if you can be right next to God...” Sue mused.

Bob and Sue have been inspired to give by the people around them, which motivated them to give to the At the Water’s Edge Capital Campaign. Sue shared, “We know that God’s work is being done at the camp. It’s all centered around Christ. This is about as alive as I’ve seen God. It is a living, breathing, church experience.”

Their gift wasn’t about finances. It didn’t include a spreadsheet. Their gift was in gratitude for the place. Bob said, “It’s kind of selfish. We get a lot out of the ministry too.” 

Sue added, “This has become our church.”

The Andersons’ greatest hope for Green Lake Lutheran Ministries is that God continues to guide and move through the leadership. “You can only do so much without the right facilities,” Sue said. Positive experiences can continue through people, but people need facilities to do what they were called to do. 

GLLM wants to have a space that is ready and welcome to inspire community in relationships with others, God, and creation. Through investment in all three of our sites, our abilities to serve groups with a wide variety of expectations and needs will only be enhanced.

Sue shared, “This is the biggest gift we’ve ever given and it feels really good.” Bob added, “We don’t have anything we need that we don’t have. We’re lucky we are in a position to give and we need to step up and do it.” “To have a direction and purpose for what we’ve worked for beyond buying birthday presents for our kids or new furniture. This money has a real purpose,” Sue said.

We are profoundly grateful to Bob & Sue Anderson for their gift. Please consider joining Bob and Sue by giving to the At the Water’s Edge Capital Campaign. Learn more and make your gift today at www.gllm.org/atwe_campaign.​

This time of year, we are all just plain busy. With the school year in full swing, the holiday season fast approaching, and preparations underway for winter, we yearn for rest and an easier routine. During busy times, we seek places and spaces that offer rest, connection, and renewal. There is such deep, restorative value in slowing down, taking a breath, and being fully present with the people around you. Ordinary Time, a faith-centered rhythm at Camp House in the summer months, provides participants an opportunity to find rest and to gather as a community to reconnect with the Creator, creation, and perhaps even our creative sides. 

For 5 weeks this past summer, participants at Camp House were led through activities for learning, creating, playing and being. There was time for devotions, worship, education and artistic classes led by pastors, musicians, educators and artists.

Meg Erke, a 2D mixed-media artist from Minneapolis, led a community painting project and saw the magic of the camp community in action:
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“The community painting project created during week 1 of Ordinary Time at Camp House was delightful to watch unfold throughout the week. I set up the canvas, easel and paints, made a few marks to get the ball rolling and walked away. Each time I came back to check on the painting it changed and evolved.

It was impossible to tell who had contributed which marks but it was clear that many hands continued to nudge the work forward. Periodically I’d notice that the painting had stalled and people weren’t sure where to go next and I’d fill in a little bit of the background or help highlight an area and folks would jump back in. The finished product was a perfect metaphor for camp and community. The nurturing and supportive environment let each person trust that their additions would benefit the whole.

This ministry is impossible without each individual’s contributions and presence, and your participation has a greater impact than just on yourself. In Meg's words, ​"It’s hard to predict what each person will contribute to the community but in hindsight it’s clear that the beautiful finished project would be impossible without each individual's contributions."

Learn more about Ordinary Time at Camp House. 

You may not know it, but you make camp and this ministry special for everyone. Your kindness and generosity are imperative to that legacy continuing on.

On November 21, Green Lake Lutheran Ministries will be participating in Give to the Max Day, with the goal of raising $30,000, ensuring that the joy of God’s love will continue to spread and ripple on. Through your donations, you change lives and we need your help! Will you join us by making a gift on Give to the Max Day? 

We might be a little biased, but we think the camp community is one of the best out there. The best communities give people a comfortable place to be an authentic child of God. They are shaped by those who feel encouraged to share the gifts and skills God has given them with others. When you join in at camp, you can find a place to be yourself and you give others the opportunity to experience God’s love and grace too.

At Green Lake Lutheran Ministries, we believe there is a place for everyone here. No matter who you are, there is a way for you to get involved in the fun at camp. We need you here! 

Emmett, a 5th grade camper at Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp, has found his place at camp: “The second you drive in, you see the chapel and the water. When you walk up, you feel like God is with you. You see the counselors playing with the other kids and are welcomed to your cabin and choose your bunks. Then you eat, have Bible study, and worship at Chim-Chim or the campfire. Before you know it, we are going home and no matter what you do or where you go, God is with you.” He has learned that God is with you at camp, and goes with you when you leave these spaces.

And camp will be here when it’s time for you to come back! Justin and Sarah, summer staff alumni, found their places at camp early in their lives and have made it into their family's place now too: “Green Lake Bible Camp has always been a special place for our family. My wife and I grew up going to Green Lake Bible Camp in the summers and we’ve made many memories there over the years. Now we are blessed to witness camp through our kids’ eyes. Attending family camp over the past few summers is always a highlight for the year. We’ve grown closer as a family and we have grown to be a part of a community of families who attend during the same week. Our daughter Grace says that camp is special because we get to spend time as a family and meet new friends. Our son Gus says that it is a place to learn about God, enjoy kids’ time during the parents night out, and to have fun. We hope their experiences at camp will have a lasting impact for years to come. And we can’t wait to be back at camp next summer.”

While it might seem small, you have an extraordinary ripple effect on the lives of those at camp. Your act of kindness, through your generosity all year long, makes so much more possible.

• You give campers the chance to be their authentic selves, unburdened by the worries of daily life and surrounded by a welcoming community.
• You provide retreat guests a place to get away, to set their worries aside and spend time in sabbath.
• You spread joy and God’s love and kindness wide and far. 

On November 21, Green Lake Lutheran Ministries will be participating in Give to the Max Day, with the goal of raising $30,000, ensuring that the joy of God’s love will continue to spread and ripple on. Through your donations, you change lives and we need your help! Will you join us by making a gift on Give to the Max Day? 

For 30 years, the "Spice Girls" have loaded up their sewing machines and supplies to stay at Green Lake Bible Camp for a quilting retreat!  They come twice a year, for a total of 60 times, from all across the country!

They have accomplished countless projects, but enjoyed the time to rest too. Camp has served as a place to get away, where they can set their worries aside, spend time in sabbath and find peace in the comforting, encouraging presence of God. They have gathered as friends to share in life’s joyous and low moments. They have lost just a few members over the years, and miss them dearly, but really love coming here still.

And for all groups, this is more than just a chance to practice their hobbies. Sure, quilting retreats offer their guests a chance to share their tips and patterns, but they offer so much more.

Over the course of this year, Green Lake Bible Camp will host 18 quilting retreats with 11 different quilting groups. One might think that all quilting retreats are the same, but each group is unique. Some groups stay for three nights; some groups gather for four nights. Some groups prefer their tables set in pods of four, while others prefer their tables to be in rows. Some groups host show-and-tells, share devotional time, bring other crafting projects, and do puzzles for a break from quilting. One group plays “find-the-thimble” and have asked staff to help hide the thimble. Some groups prefer fresh popcorn during their late-night quilting sessions, while some bring their own snacks. Every group loves Karla’s famous quiche and caramel pull-apart rolls.

And we love hosting each and every group - each one is a blessing and we are honored to host their cherished time together.

To host your own quilting or any other kind of retreat you can dream of, give us a call at 320-796-2181, email us at [email protected]g or visit Retreats & Rental Spaces. 

Pictured: One of the talented quilters from these groups made quilts for the Quilt Auction during her stay. When she delivered her quilts for the Quilt Auction, she shared these photos of her quilts around Green Lake Bible Camp.

Andy arrived at camp wrapped in layers of defiance, convinced that "everyone is picking on me." His grandmother, wary but hopeful, left him in our care with caution: "This is going to be a hard week, do the best you can."

​By the end of the week, those layers had been peeled back, revealing a boy who could sing, smile, and share his adventure. Sitting next to his grandmother at our closing worship, watching Andy with newfound joy, we were reminded of the change that can occur when God’s love is given space to work!

​Your donations to camp have a boundless impact. We need you! Make your life-changing gift today.

Jasmine stepped into our camp wildly homesick yet brimming with untapped potential. With enthusiastic encouragement from her counselor and cabin mates, she discovered her own resilience, made lasting friendships, and threw herself into activities with abandon.

She let herself enjoy a week at camp and grew immensely in a safe and nurturing environment. Her triumphant message at week's end, “I’m coming back baby!” is a testament to the courage and growth that you make happen.

Your generosity helped create a safe and nurturing environment for Jasmine to join in and flourish. By donating today, you ensure that Green Lake Lutheran Ministries not only continues but thrives, as a sanctuary for growth, discovery, and community for everyone who engages with our ministries. We need you! Make your gift online today.

Zaria’s experience at camp was nothing short of a transformation. Her journey was illuminated by a passionate, faith-driven young adult who served as a beacon of the life-changing love of Jesus. Her counselor embodied care and confidence and made her feel valued and secure.

As her parent shared, “She LOVED her counselor. As a parent, there’s not much more I can ask for than a counselor that makes my child feel heard and secure.”

Your generosity helped create a safe and nurturing environment for Zaria to join. By donating today, you ensure that Green Lake Lutheran Ministries not only continues but thrives, as a sanctuary for growth, discovery, and community for everyone who engages with our ministries. We need you! Make your gift online today.