We give thanks to God for the many dedicated Prayer Partners who faithfully lifted up our summer staff this past season. For more than ten years, this unique ministry has proven to be a double blessing: encouraging our hardworking college-aged staff while allowing our Camp community of all ages and locations to stay connected to Camp’s mission.
Every summer, long-time guest and end-of-season staffer Gina Kaufman coordinates this meaningful ministry, pairing members of the Camp community with summer staffers. Throughout the season, Prayer Partners surround their staffers with support through regular prayer, thoughtful notes, emails, cards, or care packages. First launched in 2016 by former Operations Director Leah Sallach, this program continues to bring our community together under Gina’s dedicated leadership.
Prayer Partner ministry members Linda Koch, Gina Kaufman, Ardis Janke, and Kathleen Jordan (left to right) gather together at Camp Arcadia.
For Gina, the value of this ministry comes down to relationships. “This ministry is important to me because I’ve seen how much prayer and encouragement can mean to a young person serving at Camp Arcadia,” she shares. “Summer staff give their time, energy, talents, and hearts to make Camp special, and a Prayer Partner reminds them that they are not serving alone.”
One of the wonderful things about this ministry is that it allows members of the Camp family who cannot physically return to Arcadia—whether due to distance or life circumstances—to still play a vital role in supporting our staff. Gina shares that Prayer Partners comprise a remarkably diverse group, ranging from recent former staff in their 20s to Lutherhostel guests in their 80s. Participants also include cottagers who spend their summers right next to Camp as well as those living overseas.
Summer staffer Lillian Hildebrand connects with Prayer Partner Kathleen Jordan during the Summer Starter retreat.
One such Prayer Partner who has seen the value of these connections firsthand is Kathleen Jordan from Kalamazoo, MI—a regular Lutherhostel and Summer Starter guest. Drawing from her involvement in her church’s card ministry, she frequently sends cards, emails, and texted prayers. She especially values the chance to partner with the same staffer across consecutive summers to build stronger connections. “It’s a wonderful program because the staff work so hard—they truly appreciate and rely on that extra encouragement,” Kathleen shares. She even welcomes her staff member at the start of the season with a bag of snacks during the Summer Starter retreat.
For Lutherhostel guest Linda Koch of San Diego, CA, serving as a Prayer Partner for the past eight years has been a rewarding experience. This year was especially memorable as she and her staff member connected over the phone, discovering shared connections and taking time to pray for each other. “It is such a privilege to offer that little bit of encouragement that lets them know that they are not alone,” Linda shares, “and for them to be able to express what their prayer needs are.”
That sense of connection is what drew Ardis Janke—a Lutherhostel guest from Cleveland, OH, and grandmother to four former staffers—to this ministry. She loves sending her staff member a book or devotional to encourage them through the long workdays at Camp. Deeply enjoying her time in the program, Ardis has been impressed by how receptive the staff members are. “It has been as big of a blessing for me as it has been for them,” she shares.
For anyone considering joining the ministry, Gina offers these encouraging words: “Through prayer and a simple note, you can celebrate their joys, support them through challenges, and encourage them during the long days. It’s also a meaningful way to stay connected to Camp Arcadia and be part of its ministry from wherever you are. You don’t need to be a great writer—just willing to pray, encourage, and care.”
We sincerely thank Gina and all who served as Prayer Partners in 2026 for their commitment, and celebrate the remarkable ways God uses this ministry as a blessing for everyone involved.
