Karen Rumage, Program Director
Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp
Karen holds a BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana.
Work experience includes:
- 2013-2014 – Summer staff, Christikon, MT
- 2016-2019 – Program Assistant, Bear Creek Camp, PA
- 2020 – Program Director, Bear Creek Camp, PA
- 2021-present – Program Director, Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, MT
What gets you excited about the work you do?
Building Christ centered community with campers, guests, and staff by encouraging and empowering them. Whether we are with others for hours or months we get to share God’s love and engage in the adventure of building relationships.
Hobbies:
Jogging, baking, hiking, learning about tree identification, crocheting, getting far to invested in movies and shows!
Nathan Pile, Executive Director
Sequanota Conference Center and Camp
Nathan holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and a Bachelors degree from Thiel College.
Work experience includes:
- 2007-2013 – Pastor, Spring Mills Lutheran Parish
- 2001-2003 – Associate Director, Mar-Lu-Ridge Conference Center & Camp
- 1998-2001, 2003- Program Director, Sequanota Conference Center and Camp,
What gets you excited about the work you do?
I am passionate about welcoming campers and guests to a holy space apart from the hustle of our culture. I seek to encourage others to live into a trusting relationship with God, which inspires loving community and service in neighborhoods and households. I am also a constant advocate for our natural world.
Hobbies:
Being with family, playing games, traveling, and hiking. When he has time for himself, reading, hunting and fishing are some of his favorite things. He is a Biology and Theology nerd so he is happy to discuss these topics until late at night.
Randy Youngquist-Thurow “Grandpa,” Associate Director, Consultant & Grandpa
Lutheran Outdoors in South Dakota (LOSD)
Randy holds a BA Degree in Business Admin. and Religion. He is also rostered within the ELCA as a Deacon. He is also an ACA Certified Camp Director (CCD).
Work experience includes:
- 1977-1981 – Summer Staff – Shetek Lutheran Ministries, Slayton MN
- 1983-1986 – Program Director – Sugar Creek Bible Camp, Ferryville, WI
- 1986-1997 – Associate Director – Lutherlyn, Prospect PA
- 1997- 2022 – Executive Director – Agape + Kure Beach Ministries, NC
- 2022-2023 – Associate Director – Lutheran Outdoors in South Dakota, SD
- 40 years – Full-time in OM and still enjoy the work!
What gets you excited about the work you do?
Sharing with and Guiding others. Ministry – serving all people of God through unique small group experiences. I am passionate about Core Values and the WHY of what we do. I enjoy working through board structure and love working to build self confidence and sense of vocational call in others. And of course being a proud grandpa.
Hobbies:
Being Grandpa (Kaden is the cutest granddaughter, and Cameron is the cutest grandson ever), family, games, travel, and NASCAR. Randy attends races, and collects 1:24 scale Nascar Models.
Jennifer Hellie, Development Director
Jen holds a BA in Psychology from Augsburg University and MA Ed from Augsburg University.
Work experience includes:
- 1994-99 – Program Director, Camp Wapo and Ox Lake
- 1999-2008 – Admissions and Academic Advisor, Augsburg University
- 2008-present – Development at Camp Wapo, Ox Lake, & Wilderness Canoe Base
What gets you excited about the work you do?
I really believe in the power of outdoor ministry and the faith formation that happens through a camp experience. Camp is a place where you can be your authentic self, be in community with others and explore your faith. I want everyone who comes to camp to know that they are fully known and loved by God.
Hobbies:
I love to spend time with my family, travel, read, visit breweries, eat good food, cheer on the MN Twins and MN Wild, and binge watch good TV.
Rev Tracy Polzin, Executive Director
Lutherdale
Tracy holds a BA in Elementary Education from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and an MDiv from Luther Seminary, St Paul, MN.
I have served as pastor at two very different congregations which both are named Our Savior’s Lutheran church. One was a small urban congregation dedicated to outreach to the neighborhood. The other was a large suburban congregation with a vibrant youth and family ministry. Between those two calls, I served as the Camp Director at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I have been in my current position as Executive Director at Lutherdale for a year.
What gets you excited about the work you do?
I love to see the impact that camp has on individuals and groups. Camp is place where people grow in faith, leadership, and can fully be themselves. It is a place where community is built. It is a privilege to get to be a part of a ministry that changes lives.
Hobbies:
I love to travel and explore new places. I have been to 6 of the 7 continents and don’t think it is wise to take a cruise ship to Antartica (I have seen Titanic), so that is off the list. When I am home I love to hike, read in my hammock and spend time with my family.
Susan Troutman, Director of Development,
Lutheran Homes of SC Foundation
Susan attended Presbyterian College.
Work experience includes:
- JP Stevens Corporate Offices (1983-1987)
- Baby Mama (1987-1998)
- Trinity Lutheran Church, staff accountant (1998-2004)
- Lutheridge+Lutherock Ministries then NovusWay Ministries (2000-2016) Executive Staff
- LOM Bookkeeper (2013-2015)
- Lutheran Homes of SC Foundation, Director of Development (2017-present)
- LOM Board Treasurer (2018-2020)
- NovusWay Ministries Staff Accountant PT (2021-2023)
What gets you excited about the work you do?
I love the aspects of joy found in community while building relationships that are lasting and lead to love of giving back out of our abundance of time and treasures. I once had a group of donors who are residents of one of our continuum of care communities exclaim to me ….we love living here …we call our group of friend and neighbors here “Lutheridge at Lowman Home”! It was so great to see that no matter how old we are, community and relationship keeps us young at heart. And camp changes lives forever!! They brought camp to their forever home.
Hobbies:
Walk outside and listen to the birds and sounds of nature; dig in the dirt and tend to my daylilies; gather with friends; trying to read more; board games with family.
Scott Luikart, Summer Staff
Outlaw Ranch, LOSD
Scott holds a B.S. Speech Communication from Black Hills State University and M.S. Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State – SUNY