Rev. Lisa Jean Hoefner, retired Oregon-Idaho Conference Camp & Retreat Ministries director recently received the Legacy of Leadership Award from United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries (UMCRM) Association.
Hoefner, who now lives in Pennsylvania, served as the Oregon-Idaho Conference CRM Director for 16 years, retiring in 2015.
This award honors a retired United Methodist Camp/Retreat Ministry leader who has contributed significantly to this ministry field through excellence and innovation in education, development, programming, and/or discipleship.
Hoefner began ministry in 1978 serving part-time at a local church and as a site director for a local camp as part of the then-New York Conference of The UMC. Even post-retirement from the Oregon-Idaho Conference, she’s served a local church as well as a local camp in Pennsylvania.
“Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve tried to figure out, how do we partner with local groups, with conference groups, with local churches, with agencies that care about some of the same things that we care about,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful run. I’ve been privileged to be part of Camp and Retreat Ministries all these years.”
“I’m grateful for the leadership Lisa Jean provided and her work with Camp and Retreat Ministries,” said Rev. Todd Barlett, current director of Camp and Retreat Ministries for the Oregon-Idaho Conference.
Barlett was hired by Hoefner as the director of the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center in Eagle Creek, Ore., before moving into his current position in 2016.
“Her enthusiasm and passion for ministry in many forms was contagious and exciting,” Bartlett said.
Hoefner was recognized – virtually – alongside Chuck Kishpaugh, a longtime United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries director and advocate across the denomination.
Watch this video recognizing her achievements.
