Is winter a time for hibernation? No! Not if you are the Camping and Retreat Ministries leaders for the Michigan Area!
Executive Director, the Rev. George Ayoub, has spent a busy few months since the new Board of Camping and Retreat Ministries organized. Now that spring is almost here, he announces two significant staff changes that will serve families as they prepare for summer fun in God’s outdoors
First, Cheryl Poole, who has served as Camp Registrar for the Detroit Annual Conference since 2008, has new full-time duties in another important area of ministry. Beginning February 15, Cheryl will be the Administrative Assistant for Congregational Development for the Michigan Area. Cheryl will assist the Rev. Dirk Elliott, the Rev. Gary Step and Naomi Garcia in the Vital Church Initiative and New Church Development.
The Rev. Dr. Jerry DeVine, Director of Connectional Ministries for the Detroit Conference, said, “We are excited for Cheryl as she will be able to share her gifts in this new area of ministry across our state. We will miss her careful attention to the details of camping ministries, but are positive Cheryl will be an asset as the VCI/NCD ministry moves forward.”
Cheryl, who has worked with three directors of Camping and Outdoor Ministries, calls the last seven years a fulfilling experience. “Camping will always be in my heart,” she said. “I will forever be an advocate for camping.” At the same time she is excited and “…feels blessed for this new opportunity” to work with people across the entire state.
Cheryl will work out of the Detroit Conference Office in Flint. The story of her new role will be told in an upcoming feature for MIConnect.
The second change in staffing moves Pamela Stewart to the expanded role of Registrar/Executive Assistant for Michigan Area UMCamping Ministries. Pamela has served as the Camp Registrar for the West Michigan Conference since 2009. Ayoub noted, “Knowing the vast experience Pamela brings to this task, we are excited to have her accept this position. Her knowledge will help us continue to move forward without interruption to the camping registration systems.”
He adds an important word to those registering for camp this 2016 season. While the staff has changed, registration will work the same way it worked in 2015. “There is no major change right now in the registration system,” Ayoub asserts. All registration is done online at umcamping.org. Those who register after February 15 will have their needs served by Pamela Stewart, who will work from the West Michigan Conference Office in Grand Rapids. Print copies of the brochure are available by calling Pamela at 1-888-217-1905.
“This is a giant step of faith,” Pamela said, “as we shape and model two separate camping organizations into one new ministry. I am honored to be part of it.” She acknowledges that working with different registration systems and twice as many campers and families will be a challenge requiring “lots of prioritizing and time management skills.” She asks for patience moving forward.
In her role as Executive Assistant Pamela will have the opportunity to sit at the planning table with the Camping Team. The team includes the eight Camp Site Directors and meets monthly fall, winter, and spring. Over 2,000 children and youth each year are involved in institute camping across the Michigan Area. Thousands of others enjoy family camping and retreats at the UM sites. “We know the mission and keep it in mind all the time,” Pamela noted. “Together we will do whatever we need to do as God enables us.”
George Ayoub concludes, “All of the changes happening are helping us move in the new direction God has laid out for us. We celebrate the commitment and ministry of both Cheryl and Pamela and have renewed excitement to walk this new walk into the future.”
by KAY DeMOSS
Senior Editor-Writer, Michigan Area
Last Updated on December 8, 2023