Our mission at Covenant Pines Ministries is simple: encouraging campers to take a next step in Christian faith.
Summer ministry gives us countless opportunities across all of our ministry centers to live out that mission. Throughout the summer, we prayerfully pay attention to the moments happening around camp – the conversations, decisions, acts of generosity, moments of courage and trust – and we take time to share those stories with one another in our monthly full-time staff meetings.
This summer, we have noticed something beautiful: one small next step can create a ripple effect, making it possible for someone else to take their own next step.
These moments may seem small on their own, but together, they create a ripple effect of faith. Today, we want to share a few stories that show our mission in action.
Adventurous Christians
One of our AIL students made the journey to Adventurous Christians from a small church in southern Minnesota. His family is not involved in church, but the community around him took a next step to make it possible for him to attend.
From his nomination, to preparations, to transportation, it truly became a community effort to give this student a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Boundary Waters. Someone recognized leadership potential in a young person and chose to put their faith into action by supporting him.
One person’s next step created an opportunity for a student to take his own.
And we pray that the ripple continues far beyond his week at AC.
Covenant Pines Bible Camp
At the beginning of the summer, a camper arrived at Covenant Pines with severe food allergies and sensitivities. For his parents, sending him to camp was a significant next step of trust. They were trusting us with the care, safety and well-being of their child.
Our Kitchen Staff and Food Service Director, Pam, took that trust seriously. They carefully prepared menus and put precautions in place so this camper could experience camp fully, without the stress of wondering what he could safely eat. As his mom dropped him off, Pam even took the opportunity to pray with her and bless the week ahead.
That small act of care helped create space for this camper to simply be a kid – to play, make friends, hear the Gospel and grow in his faith.
A parent’s next step of trust was met by a staff member’s next step of care, which opened the door for a camper to take his own next step in faith.
Covenant Pines Off Site
Our Annual Covenant Pines Golf Tournament is an event we look forward to each year. While it is a fun day on the course, its greater purpose is helping provide camper scholarships for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience camp.
A few years ago, one golfer joined the tournament after being invited to participate in a foursome. This year, after the tournament, he followed up with us and expressed interest in sponsoring the tournament next year.
What began with a simple invitation has now grown into a desire to take another step of generosity.
That next step could help make it possible for campers in the future to take their own next steps in Christian faith.
Silver Beach Family Camp
Silver Beach Family Camp is a ministry of generations. Families return year after year, and as their families grow, a new generation is introduced to Silver Beach.
For several families this summer, simply making the choice to return and spend intentional time together in a Christian community was a meaningful next step. They are creating space for their children – and someday their grandchildren – to experience the same sacred rhythms of family, faith, friendship and time together that have shaped them.
One family’s decision to keep showing up creates a pathway for the next generation to discover the beauty of Silver Beach and the faith that is woven through it.
These stories remind us that our mission is rarely lived out in isolation. One person takes a step, and that step makes room for someone else to take theirs. A church supports a student. A parent trusts a ministry. A staff member creates a safe and welcoming space. A donor chooses generosity. A family returns and brings the next generation with them.
And then, in the middle of it all, a camper takes a next step toward Jesus.
We are grateful that you are part of these next steps too. Through your prayers, generosity, volunteer service and continued investment in Covenant Pines Ministries, you help create the opportunities for campers to take their next step in Christian faith. We may not always get to see where every ripple reaches, but we trust that God is at work through each small step.
