Our mission:
Bear Lake Camp exists to be a Christian Ministry Center which challenges individuals to know and mature in Christ and to provide a positive environment through services and facilities.
We believe in the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son, is truly God and truly human. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. His sinless life, voluntary substitutionary death, shed blood, and bodily resurrection were necessary and sufficient for the redemption of man. He will visibly return to earth in glory to consummate His Kingdom.
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born in sin and this sinful nature is the origin of all sinful acts in thought, word, and deed.
We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit and his work of conviction, regeneration, and sanctification. He indwells every believer, equipping them with gifts for service and witness.
We believe that the Gospel should be proclaimed to every person on earth, and that the responsibility of all who hear the Gospel is to repent of their sins and rebellion against God, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive justification and the forgiveness of sins.
We believe that the only way of salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ.
We believe the redeemed will be resurrected bodily to the everlasting presence and enjoyment of God, and the unredeemed will be resurrected to judgment and everlasting punishment.
We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who have trusted in Jesus Christ for the salvation and that their involvement in a local church is normative for a growing believer.
Our resident staff team is made up of 4 full-time employees, but in the ministry of camp our work and personal lives often overlap. You will often find spouses or children working in and around the camp at all times of the year. It is a joy to have such a committed staff who have all been called to Bear Lake Camp for this season to serve as a team.
Monty has been Director at Bear Lake Camp since 1992, when he was hired as BLC’s first full-time employee. During his tenure of leadership at BLC, Monty has seen God strengthening the impact of this ministry by expanding our summer camping program from 4 weeks to the present 8 weeks, implementing the Summer Staff and Service Crew program, the expansion of the Dining Hall, cabin renovations and other construction and renovations to the facilities, the birth of a vibrant community ministry, and the addition of two additional full-time staff positions – Camp Manager in 2000 and Program Director in 2013— and various part-time positions over the years. He can’t wait to see what God is going to do next and see more lives impacted for the Kingdom through BLC’s ministries.
Monty, an ordained minister, holds a B.A. from Taylor University and an M.Div. from Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Monty and his wife, Janette, have four children; Ben (Karli), Abbey (Jake), Rebekah (Connor), and Caleb (Rachel). Janette is also very active in the camping, retreat, and community ministries at BLC.
Ben has grown up around camp and has been a part of the summer staff in a variety of ways over the years. Ben’s gifts in programming and leadership, as well as his in depth knowledge of a camp’s inner workings make him a great asset for our team.
He coordinates a large portion of the summer program in conjunction with our other resident staff. The addition of his position came at a time when camper numbers were at record highs and will allow for the growth to be accommodated effectively. Ben is passionate about students growing in Christlikeness and providing space, tools, and pathways for them to interact with Scripture and the Holy Spirit. Ben and Karli have two boys; Cooper and Owen, and a daughter, Annie.
Ben received his B.S. from Taylor University in 2013.
Jared brings years of experience and skills that will be vital to maintaining and improving the camp facilities as well as an excitement to invest in the lives of our campers and staff. After working in appliance repair and owning his own business in Ft. Wayne, IN, Jared and his family have sensed a clear call to transition into vocational ministry at Bear Lake Camp. Beyond overseeing the care of the camp physical plant, Jared has a passion for mentoring and teaching young people that will be a wonderful asset as he leads our LIT program.
Jared and his wife, Emme, have 4 children: Judah, Solomon, Ephraim, and Jubilee. He is an avid apiarist, keeping several hives and harvesting honey; a versatile musician; and a lover of Honda engines.
Karli joins the BLC staff team after being around camp for the last 15 years! From being a member of the BLC Summer Staff while attending college at Indiana Wesleyan University to being a “staff spouse” for the last 10+ years, Karli is well acquainted with the mission of Bear Lake! Karli’s role at camp is to oversee all food service for BLC (building on a long tradition of “camp food is the best food”) and rental programs and to ensure that all of our guest groups throughout the year have an exceptional experience at BLC from the first inquiry email to the (hopeful) rebooking for the next event. When she’s not busy at camp, Karli loves being a mom to her three kids: Cooper, Owen, and Annie as well as discovering new and delicious foods that she enjoys sharing with others.
Karli earned her BSN from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2014.
After growing up as a BLC camper and attending Bear Lake Ministries, John served as a videographer and counselor for several summers and has a huge love for the ministry of Bear Lake Camp.
John now joins the Year-Round Staff with a desire to tell the story of camp through digital media. If you’ve seen some of our weekly recap videos in the last several years, chances are John was the creator! You will find him managing our socials, creating more content that will help share what God is doing at BLC, and helping with our worship music.
This position is critical to the ministry of Bear Lake Camp (BLC) and contributes directly to our mission of leading campers and guests to know and mature in Christ. Housekeepers will serve the mission of BLC by maintaining cleanliness in BLC facilities in a timely and efficient manner. This is a part-time hourly position.
