October 2026 Update
Greetings from Riverside!
We just returned from a great time away as full-time staff, gathering with other Christian Camps from Iowa and Nebraska for worship, teaching, fellowship, and rest. I love these gatherings of other camp leaders, and being reminded that we are not competitors in ministry, but partners in the Gospel! What a great encouragement it is to be together, to pray for one another, and cheer one another on as we follow the Lord’s lead at His camps! Side note– our full-time staff loves these retreats together, and many tears of joy and laughter were shed. I feel so incredibly blessed to do ministry together with this fantastic group of people!
Here are a few other updates from around camp in this season:
Full-time Staff Transition
As you may have seen, we have some transitions on our full-time team currently. After six years of service, our Office Coordinator, Ranae Lynch, left our team to enjoy more time with family in the years ahead. We’re grateful for the many ways in which Ranae impacted this ministry and served so faithfully! We are currently in the hiring process for this position.
We also shared recently that our Associate Director, Cheri, will be leaving our team just before Thanksgiving after almost eight years of service in her role. We’re so grateful for the many ways in which Cheri led and invested in so many staff over her years on our team. Cheri has accepted a new position with a camp software company, and looks forward to engaging with the ministry of Riverside as a volunteer again.
I’m so grateful for these two wonderful women whom I’ve gotten to serve with, and I am also trusting the Lord and His provision for the future! Please keep both of them in your prayers, along with our full-time team as we walk in this time of transition.
Church Administrators Morning Away
We held our second annual Church Administrators Morning Away in October and loved hosting administrators from many churches across Iowa! It’s so fun to gather together and bless these important ministry workers! We enjoyed free drinks from the Mortvedt Coffee Shop, treats, a delicious lunch, worship, and time of encouragement and sharing from our speakers. We continue to seek out ways in which we as a ministry can bless, partner with, and enhance the ministry of the local church, and this event is part of that endeavor!
Looking Towards 2027
We’re already looking towards 2027 and couldn’t be more excited about what the Lord has in store! All 2027 events are posted, including summer camp, and registration will open in November for all events. Check out the offerings of retreats and events, and we sure hope you’ll strongly consider joining us at Riverside this year!
Facility Updates
- We’re excited to begin renovations to the Prayer Chapel this month, starting with painting and sealing the exterior. Interior renovations will happen after that, with plans to be complete by summer 2027!
- We’re looking at remodeling and enhancing the Tree House cabins and bathhouse this year, with plans to complete them by summer 2027!
- We’re discerning a new camp activity experience for next summer as a team, which we plan to have in place by summer 2027. More to come!
Year End Giving
As we look toward the end of a great year of Gospel impact in 2026, we do so with hearts full of gratitude for the hundreds of Riverside partners who continue to provide for the mission of camp. As a ministry, the financial support of our congregations and individuals is so important, accounting for just under 1/3 of our annual operating income. These financial gifts make an impact in every aspect of the overall ministry, from funding all camperships to maintenance/operation of the grounds and facilities– all of it is vital in the continued ministry of Riverside for generations to come. I encourage you to prayerfully consider how the Lord is inviting you personally, and your congregation, to make a Kingdom impact this year!
God’s blessings to you, and grateful for your partnership in the Gospel!
Chris
