3 Appointments, 2 Open Positions, 1 Sabbatical…
The Lord continues to provide for and grow His vision for Fort Wilderness
As we celebrate Fort’s 70th birthday, our Board and staff have spent time prayerfully looking toward the future and affirming the vision, mission, and key priorities that will guide our ministry, confirming the ways we cultivate Christ-centered relationships that influence lives for eternity.
Vision: We cultivate transformational Christ-centered relationships, in temporary community, by partnering with families and the local church to support the campers lifelong faith journey.
Mission: Fort Wilderness exists to influence lives for eternity through God’s Word, Adventure Programs, Creation, and Warm Christian Fellowship.
Key Priorities: (a)Staff are cared for, developed and thriving, (b) make disciples, (c) support campers faith formation from children through adulthood, (d) steward organizational resources and (e) minister to the whole kingdom of God, as led by the Spirit.
With this vision, mission, and these priorities guiding the way, we are grateful to share how God is providing for Fort’s next season of ministry: three leadership appointments, two open positions, and a well-earned sabbatical for one of our leaders.
3 Appointments
Student Ministries & Lab Director: Gunnar Koehn
The Student Ministries Director oversees operations at Adventure Outpost, Leadership Lab, TruNorth (Fort’s college aged gap-year program), and Winter Youth Retreats and leads Fort’s talented Student Ministries Team: Josh and Emily Tuckness, TruNorth Directors and the AO Director (position to be filled).
Gunnar Koehn is currently serving as Leadership Lab Director and will now extend his leadership across Fort’s Student Ministries programs as the Student Ministries & Lab Director. His connection to Fort began long before joining missionary staff and includes graduating with the TruNorth class of 2018. During his 5 years on Missionary Staff, Gunnar has planned and led adventure trips, directed Leadership Lab, served winter groups, and invested deeply in the lives of youth campers and staff.
This past year, Gunnar also served on Fort’s Missionary Support Task Force, collaborating with others to identify needs and develop solutions across the organization. His passion for the outdoors and student ministry, combined with his thoughtful leadership, will serve the Student Ministries team well.
Staff Care and Leadership Development Manager: Jordan Koehn
The Staff Care & Leadership Development Manager helps ensure that Fort’s staff are cared for, equipped, and thriving. This role leads Fort’s ongoing work in staff recruitment, onboarding, development, and the Apprentice Staff Program while providing leadership and guidance to Abigail Giles, Summer Staff Coordinator.
Jordan Koehn has served as Adventure Outpost Director for the past 5 years. Before joining Fort’s Missionary Staff, she worked as an elementary school teacher in the Milwaukee area. She is in the process of earning her Master’s Degree in in Outdoor & Adventure Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, further equipping her to invest in the training and development of others. Her addition to the Human Resource team will help us better care for and invest in our 45 year-round staff, 80 summer staff and 700 volunteers.
A significant part of Jordan’s leadership at Adventure Outpost has involved mentoring, encouraging, training and developing summer staff, work she has done with great care and excellence. These strengths, as well as her genuine passion for helping staff and campers grow will be a tremendous gift to Fort’s staff in this new role.
Chief Ministry Officer: Billy Borkenhagen
The Chief Ministry Officer will lead a talented and experienced team and ensure we continue to impact lives for Christ across all sites and program areas. This position leads and supports our ministry areas, facilitated by Jonathan Brood (Horsemanship Director), Aaron Demers (Program Director), Gunnar Koehn (Student Ministries Director), and Craig Holmquist (Ministry Partnership Director) and other cross-functional teams.
Billy Borkenhagen has served as the Campus Architect for nearly six years, designing and building projects at Fort. The design-build process requires bringing together many perspectives, including ministry leaders, staff, contractors, state officials, and donors, to develop effective solutions on time and within budget. Through this work, Billy has demonstrated an ability to listen carefully, unite people around a shared purpose, and guide complex projects from vision to completion.
For the past ten years Billy has also served as a teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship an organization that teaches and trains people to read and understand the Word of God for themselves.
This new role brings together Billy’s collaborative leadership, ability to develop thoughtful solutions, and passion for biblical ministry. We are eager to see how God will use these gifts as Billy serves Fort in a new capacity.
2 Open Positions
Adventure Outpost Director: OPEN POSITION
The Adventure Outpost Director oversees youth camp programs, plans schedules and activities, and recruits, trains and supervises summer staff to share God’s truth, build meaningful relationships, and impact lives for eternity through adventure and warm Christian fellowship.
Are you passionate about leading others and creating unforgettable camp experiences? We invite you to prayerfully consider if God might be calling you to this role.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Data Analyst: OPEN POSITION
This part-time role supports our new CRM system – Virtuous. The position is responsible for fundraising analytics and reporting, donor insights and segmentation, business intelligence and strategy and end user support.
Are you gifted at analyzing numbers and managing a database and desire to further the mission here at Fort? We would love to speak with you further about this opportunity.
Link to open job positions: Join the Team – Fort Wilderness
1 Sabbatical
Todd and Robyn Leyden to go on sabbatical this fall.
At Fort Wilderness, we believe seasons of intentional rest help sustain a lifetime of faithful ministry. In addition to two annual Soul Care Days for every Missionary Staff member, we provide opportunities for extended rest and renewal – because when our staff are spiritually refreshed and well-rested, they are better equipped to serve others well.
For the past 10 years, Todd and Robyn Leyden have faithfully served the ministry of Fort Wilderness. After a 42-year continuous professional career, without an extended break, we are delighted to celebrate this opportunity for them to step away for a well-deserved sabbatical from August 18 through October 14. We pray this season will bring deep rest, spiritual renewal, and meaningful time together as they prepare for the next season of ministry at Fort.
Katie Lutz will serve as the interim Executive Director during Todd’s sabbatical. The Human Resource team is covering Robyn’s responsibilities during her sabbatical.
With deep appreciation…
Clearly, the Lord is at work here at camp – as usual! We are grateful to share these updates with you and thankful for the many staff members who faithfully serve behind the scenes and on the front lines of ministry. As we prepare to wrap up another summer of ministry and dive into fall, would you take a moment to pray for our entire staff and these transitions we are entering into? If you would also like to share a note of encouragement, prayer, or gratitude, we would be glad to pass it along to the team through the form below.
