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Covenant Pines Ministries
DAVE CAIRNS
CPM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dave’s history with Covenant Pines goes back to 1973 when his father was hired as the first year-round employee of CPBC. Since then Dave has worked for Covenant Pines on summer staff, as a Program Director, and as the Camp Director. In the Spring of 2015, Dave was hired as the Executive Director of Covenant Pines Ministries. Dave lives in the Twin Cities with his wife Becky and his three children, Trent, Drew, and Annis.
HOLLY ABRAMSON
Development Director
Holly joined the CPM staff in the fall of 2019 as the Director of Marketing and Off Site Ministry and transitioned to her Development role in early 2024. Holly is no stranger to Covenant Pines, growing up attending the Bible Camp as a camper, and summer staffer. Prior to working for CPM, Holly spent five years working as the Program Director at Covenant Pines Bible Camp and two years working at Minnehaha Academy. She and her husband Miles, live in Minneapolis with their son and have a daughter on the way.
Adventurous Christians
MATT WHITE
CAMP DIRECTOR
Matt White joined the AC staff in early 2019, after serving in a variety of camp positions covering over 20 years. A graduate of Honeyrock’s Wilderness Leadership Practicum (Wheaton College), Matt spent 6 years as a facilitator for Inter-Cultural Leadership Initiative in Northern Wisconsin. He worked two years as Camp Director of Camp Kaskitowa (MI) and Program Director of Camp Nawakwa (WI) for five years.
LINA SWANSON
Guest Service Director
Lina started her role as Guest Service Director in fall 2020. She came to AC through her history at Covenant Pines Bible Camp as camper, junior staff and counselor. After two years of teaching, she joined the AC team fall of 2018 as program staff. Lina has done most everything AC had a need for: leading trips, organizing gear, Retreats, Bobcat driving, training her new boss, running the kitchen and being up to help anybody with anything.
Ian O'Donnell
Ministry Staff
Ian is on Ministry Staff at Adventurous Christians for the 2023-2024 retreat season. Ian is from Worthington, MN. Prior to AC, Ian completed the Solid Rock Discipleship Program and was on Ministry Staff at Lake Beauty Bible Camp.
Naomi Lane
Ministry Staff
Naomi is on Ministry Staff at AC for the 2023-2024 Retreat Season. Naomi is from Aitkin, MN. Prior to AC, Naomi spent many summers as a camper and staff at Trout Lake Camps and has most recently served on staff at the Coldwater Foundation here in Grand Marais.
Covenant Pines Bible Camp
MATT BRAUN
CAMP DIRECTOR
Matt joined CPBC in the fall of 2012. He is originally from just outside of Chicago, but has also lived and worked at two different Covenant camps in Michigan. He is a graduate of North Park Theological seminary and a pastor in the Covenant Church. Matt and his wife Beth have three daughters, Malin, Elsa, and Ingrid.
Pam Lofgren
FOODSERVICE DIRECTOR
Pam joined CPBC as Foodservice Director in early 2017. Pam was introduced to Covenant Pines the summer of 2012 after feeling called to serve in camping ministry. Pam served four years on summer staff and two years on ministry staff. Pam grew up in the Covenant church and went onto Covenant Bible College-Ecuador and North Park University receiving a Psychology BA degree. Pam has spent many years in ministry working with various camps and YWAM in the US and around the world.
BRYAN SCHMIDT
FACILITIES DIRECTOR
Bryan joined the Covenant Pines staff at the beginning of 2021. The change for him and his family was an unexpected silver lining of the COVID pandemic and, more importantly, a result of God’s leading. Bryan and his wife, Lisa, both graduated from the University of Northwestern with degrees in ministry. Since then Bryan has worked for Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union in various roles all focused on improving the experience of their members. As the Facilities Director, Bryan oversees the grounds, buildings and maintenance at Covenant Pines Bible Camp. He and his wife Lisa live at camp with their two children.
Jared Jensen
Operations Director
Jared joined CPBC as the Operations Director in the spring of 2023. He grew up outside of Forest Lake, MN, and graduated from North Central University with a degree in ministry. He’s worked with youth in a variety of different camping, church, and after-school settings. He and his wife Kelsi met at a camp and they love camping ministry.
Vince Evans
Media Director
Vince joined the CPBC full time staff in the fall of 2023. Vince grew up in Apple Valley, MN and spent three summers on summer staff and one year on Ministry Staff at camp. He just finished his Associates of Arts degree last spring. Vince will also be helping out on our facilities team.
Lexi Schafer
Guest Group + Program Director
Lexi joined the year round staff in fall of 2023 after two summers on summer staff and a half year on Ministry Staff. Lexi grew up in Sherburn, MN and attended Lake Beauty Bible Camp. She is recent graduate of Bethel University with degrees in Ministry and Music.
Silver Beach Family Camp
Covenant Pines Off Site
Board Members
CPM BOARD
Top Row: Tyler Klatt, Community Covenant Church
Middle Row: Patrick Stolz, Excelsior Covenant Church; Tim Gosen, Excelsior Covenant Church; Dave Cairns, CPM Executive Director; Kendra Dodd, Plymouth Covenant Church.
Bottom Row: Sarah Verdoorn, Salem Covenant Church; Sara Sosa, Faith Covenant Church
Not Pictured: Whitney Cantrell, Sanctuary Covenant Church
The Board of Directors consists of seven members. New members are elected at an Annual Meeting held each year in April. Members serve 3 year terms and are able to serve for two consecutive terms. Each owner church is allowed to send delegates at the Annual Meeting to vote on necessary business and elect board Members.