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

Ben Sparks—Director

"Hi! I'm Ben, the director at Sunrise since 2016. I love creating a place where youth can discover God's creation, learn about His love and salvation, and then help others do the same. Each day at Sunrise is a new adventure, whether training staff, meeting campers, or doing one of many behind-the-scenes jobs that make Sunrise an even better experience for kids."

Chris & Bonta Ahr—Program 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.

Bekah Ahr—Kitchen Manager

Bekah leads a team of kitchen staff to prepare the delicious meals our guests enjoy! She also handles office work and other behind-the-scenes tasks all around camp.

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.

Counselors

Our counselors are hand-picked young Christian men and women with a passion for working with youth at Camp Sunrise. Our counselors have passed extensive background checks 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)

Learn about our Creation Stewardship goals here: