LLC Ministers Camp Held April 10–12, 2026

Carey Simonson  |  The Voice of Zion June/July 2026 --

A camp for LLC ministers was held at Stony Lake Camp April 10–12, 2026. God richly blessed the camp from the opening devotion at 3 p.m. on Friday to the closing devotion at noon on Sunday.

I have attended ministers camps for more than 20 years, but to better understand the history of ministers camps, I asked Keith Waaranimi and Walt Lampi, both ministers in the Rockford, Minn., congregation, to share their thoughts and reflections.

Keith noted that the first official LLC Ministers Camp was held in 1992 with the purpose of strengthening personal faith, providing minister training in pastoral work, and supporting the office of preaching.

Keith stated: “Ministers camps have fostered unity of faith and understanding among ministers and congregations. Here at camp, in larger and smaller visits, we have been able to share psalms with fellow workers, freely asking questions, discussing problems and caring for personal faith. The bond of love, unity and peace has only grown stronger over the years. The freedom and joy between brothers at this camp has been palpable.”

Serving Together with the Gifts Given

Both Keith and Walt noted that God has recently called many new brothers to serve as ministers in North America, and that we, as ministers, serve together regardless of age or years of service. Walt also emphasized the freedom and openness among the ministers today. He said that love prevails, which means that there is “less fear to make a mistake, giving more freedom.”

We hear advice: “We should all use our own gifts. Just go and serve. Don’t measure yourself against another.” This advice applies to all who serve in any capacity in God’s kingdom.

In Saturday’s evening devotion, we heard similar encouragement to serve with the innocence of the boy who offered his lunch of five small barley loaves and two small fish. In the devotion, Art Harju from the Roaring Fork Valley congregation in Colorado said, “The little boy heard the need and in innocence he gave as he had something to give.” When Jesus blessed the loaves and fish, there was food for everyone, and plenty left over.

We can trust that God can bless our weak service, whether we serve as a parent at home raising our children, a teacher in Sunday School or Day Circle, a counselor or teacher at camp, or in any other capacity in God’s kingdom. Like the little boy, we can freely offer what we have and innocently trust that God will bless. Walt shared that youth work and camp work over the years have prepared the young to serve in God’s kingdom today. He also noted the blessings of many Christian publications and technology to help in the work of God’s kingdom.

Guided by the Holy Spirit through the Word

The presentations and discussions during the camp brought out how the work of a minister is based on God’s living Word and directed by the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit was especially emphasized throughout the weekend. The following words of Jesus were referenced several times during the camp: “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

We had presentations and discussions on the Lutheran Confessional Writings such as Luther’s Catechisms, the Augsburg Confession, and the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. We were reminded that these were written to explain Scripture but not to replace it. The Holy Bible remains the only judge of good or evil, right or wrong. We desire to study the Holy Bible and Lutheran Confessional Writings with a humble heart, praying that the Holy Spirit would guide our study.

Though topics need to be selected before camp, we acknowledged, as one brother noted in his speaking turn, “Topics are picked, but what is in the presentations is in God’s hand.” The weekend presentations were like one big topic that we needed to hear. We experienced that God continues to guide His congregation. He gently encourages us to believe and prepares us for the future in His way.

On reflection, Keith shared, “Over the years, the topics have been many, doctrinal, covering the tenets of our faith as well as timely joys and concerns in God’s congregation. For example, this year the Third Article of the Creed and the Lutheran Confessional Writings were covered. Ministers camps have also provided instruction for officiating at baptisms, weddings and funerals. Camp has also included many moments of laughter and fun as brothers have shared experiences, even inadvertent blunders in serving!”

All Rookies Together

I visited with a few brothers who had attended ministers camp for the first time or had attended just a few times. They spoke with one voice that they were refreshed in faith and felt encouraged to continue the work that they were called to do. They wished that others could experience ministers camp.

One brother, who was attending for the first time, noted that he told a more experienced minister that he was the rookie at camp. He said it felt so good when the experienced minister said that we are all rookies here. In this way, we serve together, each with his own gift but serving in mutual love, faith and understanding. We pray that God would keep all of us ministers and all His children in His blessed care.