The dream team.
The dream team.
the amazing group of volunteers that make camp happen come from multiple churches, cities, and states— they are all dedicated to seeing kids encounter Jesus.
We love coming together to have fun and to seek god’s presence!
The Best of the best: our counselors
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Amanda Mason
I have been serving in kids ministry since I was about 12 years old. This will be my 5th year doing Elijah camp but I have been serving at kids camps in general since I was 12! I have my own personal experiences with the Holy Spirit from attending camp as a kid so I am passionate about hosting that same atmosphere for kids attending Elijah camp! I have had the desire to disciple the next generation for many years as is also apparent in my work as a pediatric registered nurse :) I am privileged to be a counselor this year!
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Rachel Johnston
I have been serving and leading kids camps for past last 10 years and have been leading a kids ministry for 5 years now. This is my 3rd Elijah Camp and my first year as a lead counselor. Elijah Camp is by far my favorite week of the year and I spend the other 51 weeks waiting for it to come. Every year I am impacted by seeing so many of my students encounter Holy Spirit for the first time. There is nothing more special than to see their hearts come alive with the realization that God is moving and present in their life.
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Peter Keller
This is going to be my fourth year as a counselor at Elijah Camp. My favorite moments at camp are the evening services. Worship is how I encounter the Lord most often, and watching the kids get excited to praise and worship reminds me how God wants me to be- simple and sincere in my walk with Him.
I'm a pilot by trade, currently working as an airline captain in Chicago. I have been active in ministry since high school. Me and my crew are already planning ways to make the Green Hobbits a team that your kids will never forget being a part of! -
Arik Bolden
My earliest memory of Elijah Camp was when I was a camper at camp when I was about 7–8 years old. I was sitting at the altar with my hands lifted, responding to an altar call to receive Jesus. In that moment, I went up because I felt a tug in my heart, even though I didn’t fully understand what I was doing. But God began to move in my heart, and this became the place where I first accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Over the many years since then — as a camper, an FM team member, and now as a Jr. Counselor — I’ve seen the Lord work through me and so many of my peers and leaders to help kids who were just like me receive Jesus and grow in their faith at a young age.
I have four younger sisters, two of whom are in camp right now, which makes serving here even more special to me. I truly love all the kids who come through this camp, and I’m always excited to meet and connect with the new campers God brings each year. -
Mikias Debesay
I’ve been doing Elijah Camp for about 4 years and children ministry for 5 years. I love children ministry and getting to see them discipled in the Lord and experiencing Him in powerful ways. Every year at Camp for me has been so powerful. One of my favorite moments is the worship services and altar call. Camp os about these kids getting to experience Jesus and leave changed, but in the midst of that, Jesus have encountered me so many times in such powerful ways. We come for the kids and yet he also meets us too! I also am always encouraged by how these kids experience Jesus in beautiful ways, it reminds me of the daily need to have child-like faith.
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Miguel Minauro
I’ve been a part of ministry for the last six years of my life. From helping run children’s service, being a member of the FM team and traveling to different camps to pray over kids, and finally becoming a junior counselor at Elijah Camp last year, I’ve had countless experiences that have shaped my character, strengthened my faith, and showing Jesus to campers. Through these roles, I’ve learned the responsibility that comes with leadership, the importance of humility in service, and the power of presence in moments when words fall short. Each experience has deepened my commitment to serving others and has reinforced my desire to live out my faith intentionally, both within the church and beyond it.
My favorite memory from Elijah Camp is Holy Spirit Night from two years ago. Having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at a young age, it was a completely new experience to witness the kids I was praying over receive their prayer language for the first time. It hadn’t happened in years prior, making it even more special. Knowing that I was being used as a vessel and watching the Holy Spirit move so powerfully among my group of boys is a moment that will always stay with me. Although the Lord is always present, moments when young campers are so on fire for Him and earnestly seeking an intimate relationship with Jesus make His presence incredibly palpable.
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Rebekah Gillet
This will be my 7th year involved at Elijah camp and it’s truly what I look forward to every year. I try and serve God everyday whether it’s through my job at Chick-fil-A or my dance studio. Coming fall I’ll be enrolled at Toccoa Falls College pursuing a career in education. My favorite part of camp are those small moment when I’m watching the kids play Gaga ball or 9 square and I just get a chance to laugh with the kids and connect with them in authentic moments.
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Jenna Krueger
I’m a devoted Christian and love serving others in everyday ways, whether at church, with family, or in my work as a dental hygienist. This will be my first year as a camp counselor, and I’m especially excited to be serving alongside my husband! I grew up in a big family, so being around kids has always felt like home. I’m looking forward to building relationships, having lots of fun, and helping kids grow in their faith this summer!
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Kelley Krueger
I’m excited for my first year as a counselor. I’m a follower of Jesus. Ive been married to my wife Jenna for 4 years. Uncle to 10 nieces and nephews. And a firefighter paramedic for nearly 10 years. I’m looking forward to helping shape the upcoming generation of Christian men
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Camila Stewart
I have been serving in children’s ministry for the past five years, and it has truly shaped who I am. I started my first year as a camper, and from there I felt called to get more involved. I joined FM and spent the next four years serving at camp, growing in leadership, faith, and friendships along the way. This is my first year as a counselor, but I’ve grown up serving in kids ministry and have always had a heart for it.
I’m love pouring into the next generation and helping kids grow in their relationship with God. My faith is the foundation of everything I do, and serving Him through ministry is one of the greatest joys of my life. I like to do everything to the glory of God, whether it’s at camp or while working at Chick-Fil- A.
Camp is my favorite time of year. One of my favorite moments is talking after service at the tabersnackale — those late-night conversations where friendships grow deeper and you can truly see God working in hearts. I always look forward to making new memories and meeting new kids each year. -
Samantha Starnes
This will be my 5th year at camp and 8th year serving in children’s ministry. I am currently working at Hope Academy as an extensions teacher while pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. I also teach dance to elementary-high school students. My favorite part of camp is seeing kids encounter the Lord, and I can’t wait to see what he has in store this year!
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Emma Starnes
This will be my 7th year at camp. I started out as a camper at Elijah camp, served on the FM Ministry team for three years, and this will be my third year as a counselor. I am a dance teacher for pre school to high school students and pursuing photography as my career. One of my favorite memories from camp is when I had the opportunity to pray with one of the girls on my team, and after I prayed with her she told me she felt so much better and was led to pray for others. I am so excited to see more encounters with the Lord!
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Layla Donellan
I’ve had the joy of serving at Elijah Camp since 2019, and it’s amazing to witness the Lord at work in the lives of campers year after year. I also served on the FM team for 5 years and experienced the Lord move in so many powerful ways. My favorite part of camp is the intentional time spent with the kids—encouraging them, walking alongside them, and seeing their faith grow.
A little more about me: I work at 7 Brew and also pursue photography. I love singing, playing the piano, running, dance, spending time with my family and friends! I’m so excited for this year at Elijah Camp and can’t wait to be part of these kids mountaintop experience with the Lord!
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James Hanes
This will be my wife and I's fourth year serving as counselors at Elijah Camp, and it’s absolutely our favorite week of the year. I've been involved in youth and kids ministry for over a decade and have always had a heart for helping young people grow in their faith and discover who God has called them to be.
One of my favorite memories from camp was during a worship night when the kids boldly took the lead, filling the room with spontaneous student-led a cappella worship. It's special to host a night of worship for God's little ones, but it's something else entirely when the kids step forward and lead it themselves. -
Jade Gillette
Hi! I'm Jade. I've worked with kids for over four years, including three years in children's ministry. Last year, I served as a camp counselor at Elijah Camp, which inspired me to serve here long-term. I'm excited to reunite and meet new friends. God has given me such a heart for His children, and every one of us is precious. Being here at camp and witnessing these campers grow in Christ is truly a gift. So let’s have much fun and embrace everything He wants to give us this summer!
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Mollie
I have had the honor of being apart of kids ministry from a young age. My parents being head of Children’s Ministry opened the door for me and family to travel to various camps across the states. This year will mark my seventh year as a counselor at Elijah Camp.
As someone who has been marked by kids camp personally, I’ve seen first hand the power of a good snack shack, team games, and most importantly a child who is hungry for the Lord. I currently work as a dance instructor/ teacher throughout the year and mark my calendar each year for Elijah Camp. You don’t want to miss it!