Water's Edge Ministries
  • Who We Are
    • Water's Edge Ministries
    • Mission
    • Welcome Statement
    • Sites
    • Staff & Board of Directors
    • Alumni
    • Upcoming Events >
      • Conversations that Matter
      • Programmed Retreats
    • Employment >
      • Year-Round Employment
      • Summer Staff
      • Serve Boldly Staff
      • Seasonal Employment
      • Associates
    • News & Reports >
      • Blog
  • Summer
    • Youth Camp >
      • Grades K-5
      • Grades 6-8
      • Grades 9-12
      • Resource Staff
    • Ordinary Time
    • Family Camp
    • Camp Joy
    • Day Camp
    • Worship at the Lake
    • Summer Staff
    • Promotional Resources
    • One More Around the Campfire
  • Serve Boldly
    • About Serve Boldly
    • Locations
    • Trip Details >
      • Summer Youth Trips
      • Alternative Breaks
    • Promotional Resources >
      • Trip Promotional Resources
      • Employment Promotional Resources
    • Employment >
      • Leader & Guide Info
      • Worship & Music Leader Info
      • Food Service Info
  • Retreats
    • Retreats
    • Corporate Events & Conferences
    • Programmed Retreats >
      • Adult Retreats
      • Youth Retreats
      • Family Retreats
    • Chapel Gatherings
  • Give
    • Donate >
      • Planned Giving
      • Sustainers
      • Thrivent
      • Wish List
    • At The Water's Edge Campaign
    • Events >
      • Dinner Theater
      • Give to the Max Day
      • Quilt Auction
    • Impact 100
    • Volunteer
    • WEM Awards >
      • Advocate of the Year Award
      • Volunteer of the Year Award
    • Share Your Story

It’s never too early to begin imagining where God might lead your group next. Whether you’re returning to a favorite city or experiencing Serve Boldly for the first time, we invite you to start dreaming about your 2027 service experience.

Group Reservations for 2027 open August 4, 2026!
Trip Details
Summer Youth Trips
Group Reservations
Alternative Break Trips

serve boldly locations

In the summer of 2027, Serve Boldly will be walking alongside the following communities:
​Chicago, IL North | Large Urban
Duluth, MN | Small Urban
Madison, WI | Small Urban
Milwaukee, WI | Large Urban
*Nashville, TN | Large Urban
​Omaha, NE  | Large Urban
*San Diego, CA | Large Urban
*Seattle, WA | Large Urban
*St. Louis, MO | Large Urban
*Available for youth who have completed grades 8-12 only
Picture
Chicago, Illinois, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a city of deep contrasts—some neighborhoods thrive while others face poverty, unemployment, and limited access to resources. On the north side, our ministry partners with those working collaboratively to increase access to food and support. 
[Large Urban, 6-12th grades]
Picture
Duluth, Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Superior, is known for its natural beauty and outdoor life. Yet it also has the highest rate of extreme poverty in the state. Serve Boldly partners with wide network of local churches and organizations to support neighbors through service and community connection.​ 
[Small Urban, 6-12th grades]
Picture
Madison, Wisconsin, is a smaller urban city with vibrant city parks and five beautiful lakes.  As home to the State Capitol, advocacy and justice are interwoven into the culture of the community.  Serve Boldly partners with local congregations and non-profits to serve our neighbors in Madison.
​[Small Urban, 6-12th grades]
Picture
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, located on the shoreline of beautiful Lake Michigan, is the city with the highest poverty rate in Wisconsin. Serve Boldly seeks to respond to our neighbors in need by working with organizations that are already caring for the people of Milwaukee. 
[Large Urban, 6-12th grades]
Picture
Nashville, Tennessee, known as ‘Music City U.S.A’, is filled with iconic music venues and landmarks.  Rapid growth and gentrification have impacted this historic community and its neighborhoods. Serve Boldly partners with non-profit organizations that support our neighbors in Nashville and reach worldwide.
​[Large Urban, 8-12th grades]
Picture
Omaha, Nebraska, is a hub of agriculture and community—and yet 1 in 10 people in southeast Nebraska faces food insecurity. Rising costs and limited housing have increased homelessness. Serve Boldly partners with local churches and leaders to support neighbors through a strong network of ministry sites.​
[Large Urban, 6-12th grades]
Picture
San Diego, California, stretches over 40 miles north and south along the Pacific Ocean.  A housing crisis, rapid industry growth, unique geography, refugee resettlement, and political tensions with the national border create a complex landscape. Serve Boldly joins local ministries and organizations in their ongoing work to support and uplift the San Diego community.
[Large Urban, 8-12th grades]
Picture

Seattle, Washington, has seen rapid growth, leading to rising inequality and a lack of affordable housing. Ongoing struggles with racism and social injustice continue to inspire demands for change. Currently, Seattle’s cost of living is 46% higher than the national average. Serve Boldly partners with local ministries and organizations to support neighbors across the city.
[Large Urban, 8-12th grades]
Picture
St. Louis, Missouri—home of the iconic Gateway Arch—is set along the Mississippi River. Once a manufacturing hub, the city now faces unemployment, suburban flight, and racial inequities, leaving many neighborhoods struggling. Serve Boldly partners with local organizations to support our neighbors in St. Louis.
[Large Urban, 8-12th grades]
Picture

chicago, illinois

Quick Community Facts
🧭 Small Urban
👥 Up to 40
🎓 Grades 6–12
🌳 Grassy area nearby
​☕ Coffee nearby

​🚿 Showers ≤15 min
🚗 Service: most ≤30 min
Chicago, Illinois, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a city of deep contrasts—some neighborhoods thrive while others face poverty, unemployment, and limited access to resources. On the north side, our ministry partners with those working collaboratively to increase access to food and support.  [Large Urban, 6-12th grades]
2027 DATES AVAILABLE
​July 11-16
​
July 18-23
July 25-30
book a trip to chicago now
ACCOMMODATIONS
Sleeping Arrangements
  • Large Shared Sleeping Space (Fellowship Hall, Gymnasium, Sanctuary, etc.)
  • Large Shared Sleeping Space Also Used as Dining Area
Air Mattresses & Cots
  • Not Available
Air Conditioning
  • Split-Air System
Bathrooms
  • Gender-specific restrooms are available. To provide an inclusive option for all participants, Serve Boldly will designate one restroom as an All-Gender Restroom during the program. 
Accessibility
  • Accessible Entrance
  • Elevator
  • Accessible Parking
Host Facility Amenities
  • Guest WiFi is available
  • Indoor gathering space
SHOWERS
The shower facility is located off-site

Shower Facility
  • Reserved Exclusively for Serve Boldly Participants
  • Locker Room with Individual Shower Stalls
Showers are available for Serve Boldly participants Monday–Thursday during scheduled program hours.

Please Note:
  • Showers are not available on arrival or departure days.
  • Shower access is not included for groups arriving early or departing late.
  • If your group needs showers outside of the scheduled program, you will be responsible for making your own arrangements and covering any associated costs.
TRANSPORTATION
  • 12- or 15- Passenger Van Accessible
  • Mini-Van/Car Accessible

Parking Details
  • Surface Lot
    • Accessible Parking Available
    • Van Parking Available

Flying to Serve Boldly?  Book any flights for arrival & departure through O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

Early Arrival is unavailable at this host site. 

Late Departure is unavailable at this host site. 
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
In this community, we partner with The Night Ministry, and participants prepare to-go meals for distribution to neighbors.  Participation is optional and may be added to your contract for an additional fee.

Picture

duluth, minnesota

Duluth, Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Superior, is known for its natural beauty and outdoor life. Yet it also has the highest rate of extreme poverty in the state. Serve Boldly partners with wide network of local churches and organizations to support neighbors through service and community connection.​ [Small Urban, 6-12th grades]
2027 DATES AVAILABLE
​July 11-16
​
July 18-23
July 25-30
book a trip to chicago now
ACCOMMODATIONS
Sleeping Arrangements
  • Large Shared Sleeping Space (Fellowship Hall, Gymnasium, Sanctuary, etc.)
  • Large Shared Sleeping Space Also Used as Dining Area
Air Mattresses & Cots
  • Not Available
Air Conditioning
  • Split-Air System
Bathrooms
  • Gender-specific restrooms are available. To provide an inclusive option for all participants, Serve Boldly will designate one restroom as an All-Gender Restroom during the program. 
Accessibility
  • Accessible Entrance
  • Elevator
  • Accessible Parking
Host Facility Amenities
  • Guest WiFi is available
  • Indoor gathering space
SHOWERS
The shower facility is located off-site

Shower Facility
  • Reserved Exclusively for Serve Boldly Participants
  • Locker Room with Individual Shower Stalls
Showers are available for Serve Boldly participants Monday–Thursday during scheduled program hours.

Please Note:
  • Showers are not available on arrival or departure days.
  • Shower access is not included for groups arriving early or departing late.
  • If your group needs showers outside of the scheduled program, you will be responsible for making your own arrangements and covering any associated costs.
TRANSPORTATION
  • 12- or 15- Passenger Van Accessible
  • Mini-Van/Car Accessible

Parking Details
  • Surface Lot
    • Accessible Parking Available
    • Van Parking Available

Flying to Serve Boldly?  Book any flights for arrival & departure through O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

Early Arrival is unavailable at this host site. 

Late Departure is unavailable at this host site. 
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
In this community, we partner with The Night Ministry, and participants prepare to-go meals for distribution to neighbors.  Participation is optional and may be added to your contract for an additional fee.
  • Lutheran
  • Accompaniment
  • Faith
  • Youth
<
>
We are proud of our Lutheran identity and it guides every aspect of our organization. The very call to serve comes from a deep Lutheran passion to love our neighbors. Our programing, worship, themes, devotions, all reflect a Lutheran theology centered on the grace and love of God. We are happy to further the ministry of ELCA congregations in each community we serve.
Accompaniment is living together in harmony with mutual respect and inclusivity. Learning to live like Jesus means that we will break down boundaries that divide God’s people and equally share in God’s mission together. This means we do not attempt to force a cookie cutter model of ministry on local communities, but rather attempt to further existing ministries by grounding our plans in the ongoing relationships we have with community leaders.
As much as the trips are about accompanying and serving others, we also desire that all involved would have an experience that enriches their faith. We believe that through service, devotions, community, and worship, the Holy Spirit speaks to us, and our awareness of God’s presence in our lives grows.
Every aspect of our program is designed with youth in mind. We think youth have so much to offer the Church but are not given the opportunity as often as they should be. We want to empower youth and provide that opportunity for youth to be the leaders we know they can be. We hope that youth return to their congregations to lead in their local communities with a passionate energy for faith and justice.
Food Service Assistant / Sous Chef
Job Description
The Food Service Assistant / Sous Chef plays a key role in preparing and serving high-quality, nutritious meals for campers, retreat guests, and staff at Green Lake Bible Camp and Shores of St. Andrew. This hands-on position assists with meal preparation, food safety, inventory management, and kitchen cleanliness, all while upholding GLLM’s commitment to hospitality and community. The Food Service Assistant works closely with the Food Service Manager to ensure meals meet dietary needs, maintain quality standards, and create a welcoming dining experience.

To apply: Send resume & cover letter to Travis Aufderheide at [email protected]. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Pastor's Family Camp

Green Lake Bible Camp
This week unites families who are immersed in ministry life. Recharge your faith journey daily while youth connect with our dedicated staff. Indulge in daily worship, relaxing beach afternoons, creative tie-dye sessions, engaging games, and delightful meals—designed with your family in mind. 

Adult: Supported Fee $380​ | Full Fee $505
Youth (ages 6-17): Supported Fee $210 | Full Fee $265
Infants & preschoolers stay free
Family Maximum: Supported Fee $1180 | Full Fee $1630


Picture
2025 Pastor's Family Camp Topic​
Practicing Patience in a World Unraveling - Patience is not inaction. Patience is not wasting time. Patience is not complacency. Instead, patience is a fruit, a fulfillment, of the Holy Spirit's work among the Body of Christ. It is a spiritual practice that can promote longevity in ministry, depth of relationship, clarity in mission, and intimacy in our relationship with God. During the week, we'll bring together scripture, the writing of Martin Luther and other Christian mystics, and "The Patient Ferment of the Early Church" by Alan Kreider to explore how patience has been understood throughout the life of the church and how it might be applied in our own ministry settings. Selected readings will be provided during camp.
​
Picture
​Courtney R. Young is a bi-vocational Lutheran pastor and writer from Minnesota. She graduated from St. Olaf College in 2008 with a BA in English. She graduated from Luther Seminary in 2012, receiving an M.Div. with an emphasis in Congregational Mission and Leadership. As a pastor, she is passionate about helping people bear the stories that have been entrusted to them, especially God's living, unfolding story. She enjoys helping people better integrate their faith life into their daily life. She was honored to spend the first part of her career in campus ministry. Currently, she is serving as an interim pastor and writing a book. She lives in Richfield, MN with her husband, two children, two cats, two dogs, and a half dozen house plants.
​
2025 Pastor's Family Camp Dates
​June 15-19
Register for pastor's Family camp
  • June 14-20
  • June 21-27
  • June 28-July 4
  • July 5-11
  • July 12-18
  • August 14-17
<
>
Picture
Rev. Christian Muellerleile
Christian is a Lutheran pastor who serves as Food+Faith+Farm Manager at Good Courage Farm—an Agrarian Ministry affiliated with the Episcopal Church near Hutchinson Minnesota. He loves experiencing God in creation while farming, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, practicing archery, and hanging out with his family. Christian lives in Litchfield, Minnesota with his spouse Kateri and his teenage kids, Augustin and Antonia.

Picture
Julia & Nathan Bloom
Cabin of Love is Julia and Nathan Bloom, a married folk/pop duo from Saint Paul, Minnesota, who’ve been writing songs and making music together for over 25 years. The Blooms help lead music at Humble Walk Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, and also enjoy performing at local venues. 

Picture
Meg Erke
Meg is a 2D mixed-media artist living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is the author and illustrator of Minnealphabet: An Outdoorsy Homage to Minneapolis and the illustrator of “Outdoorsy: A Coloring Book Celebrating Our Connection to the Natural World”.  She is the Co-creator of the award-winning River to River Greenway Mural in West St. Paul and the recipient of a 2023 individual artist Residency at the Tofte Lake Center.  Meg’s work is inspired by the natural world (most often the woods, water, and trees of the Midwest). She looks for and finds ways to connect with students and collectors through art and nature. She believes that art connects us. It is a powerful tool that helps us articulate our stories when words can’t convey the magic and beauty of a moment or a scene. Meg is working to document that magic and help others do the same.
Picture
Rev. Scott Kershner
Scott Kershner is an ELCA pastor whose journey has included parish ministry in Brooklyn, NY, serving as pastor at Holden Village in the North Cascades of Washington state, to serving for eleven years as chaplain and director of religious and spiritual life at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. In January, Scott began a new call as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter, MN. In addition to his varied and eclectic interests, Scott enjoys sunsets and long walks on the beach. Scott is married to Lori, and they have two kidlets, Soren and Sienna.​

Picture
​Libbie and Todd Anderson
Hi! We’re Libbie and Todd Anderson. We’ve been playing and writing music together for over 20 years, and believe in the power of music to spark joy, awaken hearts, spread creativity and build community. We hail from the rural town of New London, MN, where we play in several local bands of varying styles and lead worship at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer.
https://www.facebook.com/faith.lutheranchurch.12/

Picture
Lori Kershner
Lori Hayes Kershner is a recent transplant to MN, though her father grew up in Stillwater, her husband grew up in Fergus Falls, and their family now lives in St. Peter. Lori received her bachelor of art and art history from Princeton University. She studied art at Massachusetts College of Art and Brandeis University and received her MFA from Burren College of Art in Ireland. Over the past thirty years, she has taught art to high school students in Massachusetts, taught art to Palestinian children in Jerusalem, assisted college art students in Massachusetts and Ireland, served as Village Artist at Holden Village in Washington State and taught Foundations of Art and Drawing as an adjunct professor at Susquehanna University. Lori loves to paint and draw as a way to be in and to interpret this world.
Picture
Pastor Ann Rosendale
Pastor Ann is a lifelong camp fanatic! She grew up attending Green Lake Bible Camp and served on summer staff for three years. Now in her 12th year on the GLLM Board of Directors, Ann delights in seeing the way that camp shares the life-changing love of Jesus. Tie-dying, singing, swimming, and the smell of campfire are just a few of Ann's camp loves. When not playing camp games or shopping at the canteen, you'll find Ann in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she lives with her spouse and two children and serves as campus pastor at Augustana University, encouraging every college student she meets to work at camp!

Picture
Carol Meier
Carol is a musician and composer who loves taking part in the songs we sing together as God’s children. She graduated from Luther College with a degree in music education, spending her college summers in camping ministry. In addition to teaching in a variety of settings, Carol has spent many years in church music, currently serving as the music director at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church (Willmar, MN). More recently, Carol studied liturgical music and composition from Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary. She is passionate about writing songs for the church that give new expression to the expansive love of God. In 2023, Carol and pastor/poet Meta Herrick Carlson co-created The Prairie Liturgies, commissioned and inspired by Shalom Hill Farm (Windom, MN). You can learn more about Carol and her music at carolmeiermusic.com. Some of Carol’s favorite things include long walks, good talks, campfires, and making music with people of all ages and abilities…all things she looks forward to doing at Camp House!

Picture
Rev. Steve Thomason
Steve is an associate professor of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at Luther Seminary, a post-Evangelical, missional, neo-Lutheran theologian, rostered in the ELCA, and an artist. Steve’s passion and calling is a fusion of art and theology. He is the author of A Cartoonist’s Guide to the Bible, which is an online resource for visual learners to explore, teach, and preach the scripture using creative visual illustration and animation. Explore the resource at cartoonistbible.com. You can find all his work at artpastor.com.

The fusion of art and theology is evident in Steve's history. He began his career as an Art major and a caricature artist for a large art business in Las Vegas, NV. His call to ministry began at an Evangelical Mega Church in Las Vegas where he was ordained and became the Director of Adult Ministries while earning his M.Div. from Bethel Seminary. In 2002 he stepped out of the mega and into the micro by experimenting with house church ministry for 5 years. He and his family moved to Minnesota in 2007, and in 2010 God led him into the ELCA where he transferred his ordination and enrolled in the PhD program in Congregational Mission and Leadership at Luther Seminary. He served as an associate pastor at two suburban ELCA congregations in the Twin Cities prior to joining the faculty at Luther. His art has infused his preaching, teaching, and spirituality at every step of the way.
Picture
Pr. John Rohde Schwehn
Rev. John Rohde Schwehn serves as one of the University Pastors at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, where he supports a diverse community of students through habits of prayer, care, study, service, and play. In his college and post-college days, John served as a camp counselor at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Montana and a Lead Cook at Holden Village, a remote ecumenical Christian community located in the Cascade wilderness of Washington. He delights in nature and novels, and he obsesses over making and eating pizza, especially when joined by his spouse and two incredibly sweet, inquisitive daughters. His whole family is so excited to experience Ordinary Time with GLLM! ​

Picture
Pastor Martha Bardwell
Pastor Martha Schwehn Bardwell (she/her) is the Lead Pastor at Our Savior's Lutheran in Minneapolis. Pastor Martha brings great energy and imagination to her ministry and loves cultivating intergenerational, inclusive, participatory community with others. She has been known to sing, dance and do spoken word in her sermons and children’s messages in a way that draws others into the drama of God-with-us.

Martha holds an MDiv from Luther Seminary, an Executive Leadership Certificate from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Before that, she worked as a staff member at a drop-in center for people experiencing housing insecurity, as a recruiter for a social justice-focused volunteer program (Lutheran Volunteer Corps), and as a summer lead cook at Holden Village. In her free time, she likes to read, tend her fermentation experiments, garden, play guitar, and sing.

Picture
Jennifer Popp
Jennifer is an artist and art teacher from St. Paul, MN. Her passion is creating- whether it involves painting, weaving, knitting, crocheting, or dabbling in something new. As an art teacher of 24 years, she also enjoys leading others in the creative process, both in the classroom and through community murals.

Jennifer's art is heavily influenced by experiences, memories, travels with family, her home state of Minnesota, and herfaith. She strives to focus on the beauty and peace in nature and special places and adds her own twist. This usually entails adding brighter, bolder colors. She loves the joy and peace she finds when creating.

Jennifer uses these same bold and bright colors when creating murals and liturgical art installations. She loves digging into text, thoughts and ideas and bringing these visual representations to life. She also loves seeing congregations or different groups of people come together, building community, while creating a masterpiece. Having 3-year-olds painting next to 93-year-olds is amazing!
Picture
Rev. Elise and Andy Pokel 
Pastor Elise Pokel serves as Lead Pastor at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN. Andy Pokel serves as Music & Creative Director at Spirit Garage in Minneapolis, MN. Together, they write and record original music and liturgies as Foundry Hymnal. The foundry is a great biblical image for God as a Creator who uses Spirit and fire to form us and to burn off anything that keeps us from experiencing freedom and joy. Pr. Elise and Andy are the proud parents of two mischievous, musical children. You can find their music on streaming platforms or at andypokel.bandcamp.com.

Picture
​Erin DeBoer-Moran
Erin DeBoer-Moran makes things. The things she makes range from books to prints, paintings to tote bags, and handicrafts. She likes making things, a lot. She studied studio art at The University of Minnesota, where her course of study emphasized in artists, books and painting. Currently, she’s the Community Artist in Residence at Humble Walk Lutheran Church in St. Paul, the Director of Music and Worship Arts at Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, and the Director of Music for Chapel at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. In the future, she hopes to spend a lot more time creating prints from linoleum blocks. Her linoleum prints and commissions so far have ended up as album art, beer coasters, worship imagery, and fine art prints. Erin lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, 14yo son, 8yo daughter and three cats.
Picture
Rev. Kim Suhr
​Kim is a pastor who serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd MN. Kim has spent many years in outdoor ministry as a camper, counselor and program director, including a summer at Camp House. She loves getting families to camp to experience Christ in this life changing setting and connecting it back to the congregation and community. She is crafty, creative, loves all things FRIENDS (as in the TV show), being outside, hiking, kayaking, biking and has a special affinity for bunnies! She lives in Brainerd with her husband Roger, and middle schoolers Elijah and Emilyn.

Picture
Nate Crary
​Nate is a church musician in the Twin Cities, currently serving as Director of Worship with Christ the King Lutheran (New Brighton, MN) and as a musician with Lutheran Campus Ministry - Twin Cities. Nate is a lifelong musician, beginning violin at the age of four, and has always found a way to use his gifts of music and art in the church. 

Since graduating Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) in 2007 with degrees in music and art, Nate has led worship in a variety of settings from Juarez, Mexico to Denver, Colorado to Spicer, Minnesota to Bethlehem, Palestine. Along the way, he has helped people find their voice when singing their prayers to God.
  • June 14-20
  • June 21-27
  • June 28-July 4
  • July 5-11
  • July 12-18
<
>
Picture
Rev. Christian Muellerleile
Christian is a Lutheran pastor who serves as Food+Faith+Farm Manager at Good Courage Farm—an Agrarian Ministry affiliated with the Episcopal Church near Hutchinson Minnesota. He loves experiencing God in creation while farming, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, practicing archery, and hanging out with his family. Christian lives in Litchfield, Minnesota with his spouse Kateri and his teenage kids, Augustin and Antonia.

Picture
Julia & Nathan Bloom
Cabin of Love is Julia and Nathan Bloom, a married folk/pop duo from Saint Paul, Minnesota, who’ve been writing songs and making music together for over 25 years. The Blooms help lead music at Humble Walk Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, and also enjoy performing at local venues. 

Picture
Meg Erke
Meg is a 2D mixed-media artist living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is the author and illustrator of Minnealphabet: An Outdoorsy Homage to Minneapolis and the illustrator of “Outdoorsy: A Coloring Book Celebrating Our Connection to the Natural World”.  She is the Co-creator of the award-winning River to River Greenway Mural in West St. Paul and the recipient of a 2023 individual artist Residency at the Tofte Lake Center.  Meg’s work is inspired by the natural world (most often the woods, water, and trees of the Midwest). She looks for and finds ways to connect with students and collectors through art and nature. She believes that art connects us. It is a powerful tool that helps us articulate our stories when words can’t convey the magic and beauty of a moment or a scene. Meg is working to document that magic and help others do the same.
Picture
Rev. Laura Aase
Laura Aase is an ELCA pastor and serves as the Assistant Director for the Continuous Growth Pathway - a program that resources ELCA pastors and deacons in southern MN. She loves figuring out how to connect the reality of life with the mystery of faith. Physical comedy makes her laugh nearly every time. She loves to kayak, xc ski, garden, walk and jog with husband, John and Daisy dog. Typically not a morning person, she's adapting as her body makes decisions without consulting her. And she's discovered coffee can be a liturgical act. She loves her friends and family and finds ways to be together with them as often as she can.

Picture
Dave Eliason
​
Dave is a life long musician who loves playing instruments and leading others in song. Whether in a choir, a congregation or around a campfire, Dave enjoys the experience and the joy of community singing. The requisite guitar will undoubtedly be used, but the banjo, piano and possibly the accordion might make an appearance! When Dave moved into his career at Green Lake Bible Camp, music and working with youth were the common denominators that made that change attractive. 


Formerly, Dave taught high school vocal music, has directed church choir, still accompanies Sunday morning worship and, oh yeah, served in numerous roles at Green Lake Lutheran Ministries including program director, executive director and Camp House director. Dave invites you to make a joyful noise with us at Camp House this summer! Alleluia, Amen!

Picture
Jan Ringer
Jan is a Brimson resident located approximately 3 miles from Camp House, has immersed herself in the art of basket weaving and instructional classes for over 25 years. Alongside her husband and their loyal dog, Daisy, she tends to a small farm abundant with blueberries, beef cows, chickens, and a diverse array of vegetables.  Jan's expertise shines through in her creation of the project she’ll share with participants this summer. Crafted with a sturdy wooden base, locally sourced birch bark, and elegantly designed pottery handles, the “Camp House Carry-All” reflects Jan's passion for artisanal craftsmanship and dedication to her craft.
Picture
Rev. Dr. Jules Erickson
Pastor Jules serves All Saints Lutheran in Cottage Grove. Her ministry is focused on helping people live healthy, happy, non-anxious, and well-balanced lives. Pastor Jules is a Trained Facilitator in The Daring Way™ and Rising Strong™ Curricula developed by Brené Brown, LICSW, Ph.D. She enjoys laughing, preaching, teaching, Crossfit, good food, and people of every age. Pastor Jules and her beloved, Beth, live in Hastings with two bouncing Goldendoodle dogs.

Picture
Ben Geer
Hailing from North Mankato, MN, Ben works as the Director of Spiritual Growth at Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato, where he oversees youth and adult education programs and leads their outreach ministries. Ben's passion for music started during his college days at Good Earth Village, where he spent his summers as a camp counselor and taught himself how to play the guitar. Since then, he has been leading worship at various churches and even helps lead a contemporary worship service at Grace Lutheran Church once a month. 

When Ben is not busy with his work, you can find him exploring the BWCA, cheering on the Twins at baseball games, or simply enjoying some quality family time on his back porch.

Picture
Steve Thomason
Steve Thomason an associate professor of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at Luther Seminary, a post-Evangelical, missional, neo-Lutheran theologian, rostered in the ELCA, and an artist. Steve’s passion and calling is a fusion of art and theology. He is the author of A Cartoonist’s Guide to the Bible, which is an online resource for visual learners to explore, teach, and preach the scripture using creative visual illustration and animation. Explore the resource at cartoonistbible.com. You can find all his work at artpastor.com.

The fusion of art and theology is evident in Steve's history. He began his career as an Art major and a caricature artist for a large art business in Las Vegas, NV. His call to ministry began at an Evangelical Mega Church in Las Vegas where he was ordained and became the Director of Adult Ministries while earning his M.Div. from Bethel Seminary. In 2002 he stepped out of the mega and into the micro by experimenting with house church ministry for 5 years. He and his family moved to Minnesota in 2007, and in 2010 God led him into the ELCA where he transferred his ordination and enrolled in the PhD program in Congregational Mission and Leadership at Luther Seminary. He served as an associate pastor at two suburban ELCA congregations in the Twin Cities prior to joining the faculty at Luther. His art has infused his preaching, teaching, and spirituality at every step of the way.
Picture
Rev. Heather Roth Johnson
Rev. Heather Roth Johnson (she/her) is the Family Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities in south Minneapolis, MN. She loves creative worship, collecting stories, hanging out in the woods, and chasing dogs. She is married to Scott for 25 years, and has two adult guys, Noah and Jacob. Come and join her for a magical week in the Northwoods as together we seek out God's love for this world. 

Picture
Molly Kidd
​Molly is a dedicated and passionate K-12 art teacher with an impressive 15 years of experience. She devotes her time and expertise to a small rural school in northern Minnesota, forging strong connections with her students and their families through the power of artistic expression. Molly's creative interests span various mediums, including ceramics, painting, sewing, and quilting, showcasing her versatility as an artist. Molly's love for the camp life has been ingrained since her early years. Having transitioned from a camper to a counselor, she spent numerous summers at Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, MN, and as the Arts and Crafts coordinator at Lutherhaven in Coeur d'Alene, ID for a summer, further solidifying her dedication to art education in outdoor settings.

WATER'S EDGE MINISTRIES

Green Lake Lutheran Ministries is now Water's Edge Ministries - new name, same mission. Learn more.
Inviting all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation.

HOME

give today
Phone: 320-796-2181
[email protected]

camp house

1411 Camp House Road
Brimson, MN 55602
​Phone: 218-848-2277

green lake bible camp

9916 Lake Ave. S.
Spicer, MN 56288
Phone: 320-796-2181

shores of st. andrew

19080 16th St. NE
New London, MN 56273
​Phone: 320-354-2961

serve boldly

A ministry of Water's Edge Ministries
  • Who We Are
    • Water's Edge Ministries
    • Mission
    • Welcome Statement
    • Sites
    • Staff & Board of Directors
    • Alumni
    • Upcoming Events >
      • Conversations that Matter
      • Programmed Retreats
    • Employment >
      • Year-Round Employment
      • Summer Staff
      • Serve Boldly Staff
      • Seasonal Employment
      • Associates
    • News & Reports >
      • Blog
  • Summer
    • Youth Camp >
      • Grades K-5
      • Grades 6-8
      • Grades 9-12
      • Resource Staff
    • Ordinary Time
    • Family Camp
    • Camp Joy
    • Day Camp
    • Worship at the Lake
    • Summer Staff
    • Promotional Resources
    • One More Around the Campfire
  • Serve Boldly
    • About Serve Boldly
    • Locations
    • Trip Details >
      • Summer Youth Trips
      • Alternative Breaks
    • Promotional Resources >
      • Trip Promotional Resources
      • Employment Promotional Resources
    • Employment >
      • Leader & Guide Info
      • Worship & Music Leader Info
      • Food Service Info
  • Retreats
    • Retreats
    • Corporate Events & Conferences
    • Programmed Retreats >
      • Adult Retreats
      • Youth Retreats
      • Family Retreats
    • Chapel Gatherings
  • Give
    • Donate >
      • Planned Giving
      • Sustainers
      • Thrivent
      • Wish List
    • At The Water's Edge Campaign
    • Events >
      • Dinner Theater
      • Give to the Max Day
      • Quilt Auction
    • Impact 100
    • Volunteer
    • WEM Awards >
      • Advocate of the Year Award
      • Volunteer of the Year Award
    • Share Your Story