Camp and Retreat Ministries of the Pacific Northwest Conference is excited to announce the hiring of Rev. David Collins as the new director of Camp Indianola! David comes to us with his wife Romana and daughters Veronika, 11, and Viktoria, 8. He will be starting his new position on March 1, 2024.
Rev. Collins grew up in South Carolina. For the past 17 years, he has served as a United Methodist pastor and youth director in local congregations and the past 11 years as an ordained Elder. Most of his ministry experience has been in the New York Annual Conference.
“Growing up, I always loved camping and the outdoors, especially with Scouts, but I never imagined my path would lead to serving full-time in our United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries,” shared Collins.
Since July 2022, Pete Simpson has been serving Camp Indianola as interim director, helping the camp complete several facility updates and upgrades and overseeing the camping program’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic. Simpson will transition out of his responsibilities as Collins comes on board as director.
“We are so grateful for Pete’s leadership during a challenging time, getting essential work done that will assist in ministry moving forward,” said Alan Rogstad, executive director of PNW Camp & Retreat Ministries. “We are also very excited to welcome David and his family to this important ministry. I look forward to working with him as Camp Indianola moves into the future.
Collins’s passion for the outdoors has endured and is something he shares with his family. “Over the last four years, my family has visited 27 national parks, countless monuments, and historical sites. After serving primarily in the local congregation for the past 17 years, this was truly inspiring.”
“Camp Indianola is equally inspiring as a place where the beauty, goodness, and grace of God’s Creation can be seen and experienced first-hand as we look to grow our faith in Christ,” offered Collins. “I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you by God’s grace. We are so excited to call the Pacific Northwest our new home!”
Camp Indianola is a summer camp, retreat center and outdoor education facility located 45 minutes from Seattle on beautiful Puget Sound. It is one of four United Methodist Camps found in the Pacific Northwest Conference.
