Our Mission:
We inspire and equip youth to love God, serve others, and impact the world around them.
Children and teens have never been busier. It’s hard to stop, take a breath, and reflect on what God might be seeking to do in their lives.
Camp Sunrise is here to help. We help youth to focus on the most important things: their relationship with God, their relationship with others, and the work God has called them to do. Through summer camps and year-round retreats, youth can escape from distractions and focus on God. Caring staff make camp a place that feels like home, and dozens of fun activities immerse youth in God’s creation. Chapels and cabin devotions help youth dig into God’s Word, learning how it applies to their daily lives.
We believe that as youth grow to love God, serve others, and impact the world around them, they will live for God’s glory.
Meet the Staff
Chris & Bonta Ahr—Program Director/Interim Camp Director; Craft Coordinator
For nearly 40 years, Chris and his wife Bonta have served at camp ministries around the country. Chris now directs the programming at Camp Sunrise, leading games and activities that campers of all ages will enjoy. Bonta develops and teaches a variety of crafts at camp, as well as serving behind the scenes in a variety of ways.
Scott Ryan—Maintenance
Scott serves tirelessly behind the scenes, making sure everything from vehicles to campfires are running smoothly! Successful camps wouldn't be possible without him. Scott and his wife Kathy have served at camp, church, and in the local community for over 15 years.
Summer Staff
Our counselors and other summer staff are hand-picked young Christian men and women with a passion for working with youth at Camp Sunrise. Our staff have passed extensive background checks, reference checks, and an interview process, and are well-trained. It's our prayer, and our plan, that every camper has a counselor they can relate to, who cares about them personally, and who models godly Christian living.
Get monthly updates on God's work at camp!
Our Core Values
Follow Jesus
We base all that we do on the foundation of God's Word, and on the example of Christ. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:21b-25)
Serve Others
We serve the ultimate Servant by lovingly helping staff and guests in any way we can. (Philippians 2:3-8)
Build Community
We treat staff and guests like family, creating a close-knit community where Christ-centered relationships are made and grown. (1 John 1:3-7; Hebrews 10:24-25)
Make it Better
We steward our God-given resources to continually improve on everything we do. (Colossians 3:23)
Let God Work
We share the truth in a distraction-free environment conducive to spiritual growth. We ask God to produce lasting spiritual change in people's lives. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)
Statement of Faith
The Bible
The Bible—both the Old and New Testaments—is the inspired Word of God, has no errors in the original writings, is preserved throughout time, and is the ultimate authority in faith and life. (Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21)
God
There is one God, the Creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 40:28; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus
The Lord Jesus Christ is completely God and became completely human through the virgin birth. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins, and then rose bodily from death. He ascended into Heaven, where he is now High Priest and Advocate for all who believe in Him. Jesus will return to take His own to be with Him, and to reign in full power and glory for all eternity. (John 10:30; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 1:30-35; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)
Humans & Sin
God created humanity in His image. But every human has sinned against God and has therefore earned both physical death and eternal separation from God. (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 5:12)
Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of any human work. Salvation is made possible by Jesus dying and shedding his blood on the cross, and by His resurrection. God gives His righteousness to all who put their faith in Jesus alone as their Lord and Savior. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:9-10)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts and leads sinners to Christ, gives them new life, and lives in them from the moment of salvation, equipping them for godly living. (John 16:8-11; Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:22-23)
The Church
The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, which consists of all true believers in Him. (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
Resurrection & Judgment
There will be a bodily resurrection of every human, eternal life with God for the saved, and eternal punishment in Hell for the lost. (1 Corinthians 15:12-23; 1 John 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:9)