2024 CLS Landscape

Landscape

Letter from our CEO

As we journey together in faith, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible community that surrounds and supports the ministry of Camp Lone Star. Psalm 66:16 says, “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for my soul.” This verse beautifully captures the essence of our Christian walk – a divine invitation to experience God’s boundless love and to become instruments of His love to the world, and is a perfect theme for the summer of 2024: INVITED.

God’s invitations are woven throughout the scriptures. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This invitation speaks to the heart of God’s love, offering rest and peace to all who seek Him. Similarly, Isaiah 55:3 invites us, “Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.” Here, we are reminded that life, true life, is found in listening to and embracing God’s word.

As recipients of such profound love, we are called to extend it to others. Our journey with God does not end with receiving His love; it begins there and flows out into loving others. In John 15:12, Jesus commands us, “Love each other as I have loved you.” Consider how this divine cycle of love manifests in our lives and through Jesus’ ministry at Camp Lone Star. Every camper, employee, and supporter is a testament to Jesus’ love. Through your prayers, contributions, and dedication, you have answered God’s invitation to be vessels of His love.

I encourage you to embrace these divine invitations in your own life. Allow yourself to be loved by God, to rest in His presence, and to be renewed by His grace. Then, with hearts full of His love, step out in faith to be instruments of that love in a world that desperately needs it.

In closing, I echo the psalmist’s invitation: “Come and hear.” Come and be a part of this extraordinary journey. Join us for BBQ Sunday, worship in the Oak Grove, stay for some yummy BBQ, and enjoy the auction. Witness the impact of your support, celebrate the victories, and join us in the exciting path ahead. God is at work at Camp Lone Star, and we are blessed to share this journey with you.

Ryan Neuhaus

Barbecue sunday

Join us on Sunday, July 28 for a special BBQ worship service where Rev. Ryan Neuhaus will be installed as the next Chief Executive Officer of Camp Lone Star. It will be a time of worship and celebration, as the Lord faithfully paves the way for the ministry of Camp Lone Star to continue!

Following the service at 11 am, we will have our traditional barbecue meal at Noon inside our new dining facility, Rejoice Hall. We continue to praise God for this beautiful space, and we look forward to this time of fellowship with you! For those who are not able to join us for the event, drive-thru plates will also be served from 11 am-12:30 pm under the carport at Rejoice Hall.

At 1 pm, the excitement continues with Camp’s annual live and silent auctions inside the Koop Activity Center. The annual BBQ & Auction Fundraiser is one of the main events which supports the ministry of Camp Lone Star each year. In 2023, thanks to our generous donor champions, we raised over $107,000. Our goal for this year is to raise $110,000, equipping us to boldly pursue our mission of transforming lives through adventurous Christ-centered experiences as we serve over 12,000 campers and guests annually from across Texas and beyond. By God’s grace and with your support, we are able to plant seeds of faith, cultivate Christian leaders, and grow the kingdom of God together.

For more information or to donate an auction item by July 14, visit camplonestar.org/bbq-auction-fundraiser

If you are unable to make it to this event but would like to support Camp, scan the QR code to visit our Support Us page.

SuNday SChedule

10:30 am 11 am

11-12:30 pm

12 pm

1-2 pm

1-2:15 pm

1-3 pm

Pre-service music by Summer Staff – Oak Grove

Outdoor worship service led by Rev. Brian Hesse –Oak Grove (Rev. Ryan Neuhaus’ installation as new CEO)

Drive-thru BBQ plates – Rejoice Hall ($15/plate)

BBQ Lunch – Rejoice Hall (freewill offering)

Swimming Pool open (bring your own towel)

Silent Auction – Koop Center

Live Auction – Koop Center

2024 SPEaKER

The featured speaker at this year’s service is Rev. Dr. Brian J. Hesse. Brian, a native of the upper Midwest, was born in Minnesota. A life-long Lutheran, he graduated from a Concordia school 4 different times: from Concordia High School, Fort Wayne, IN in 1993; Concordia University Wisconsin in 1997; and Concordia Seminary in 2001 and again in 2018 when he completed his Doctor of Ministry in Missional Leadership. After being ordained in 2001, he served his first parish, Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo, TX for 21 years. Since 2022, he has been serving as Senior Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bellmead (Waco), TX. He also serves the Texas District LCMS in the role of District Secretary as a member of the Board of the Directors. Brian has been married to his amazing wife, Janelle, for 26 years and they have 2 talented young men (Caleb and Cameron) attending college.

Capital improvements

La Grange

Last Resort

The Last Resort is now fully restored, thanks to the incredible dedication of our facilities team and contractors who worked tirelessly to ensure it would be completed in time for our Junior Staff to enjoy this summer! While the renovations are now complete, we are still striving to reach our $165,000 goal to cover project costs. Will you help us reach the finish line? Your gift to our Capital Improvement Fund will make a difference for us to enhance our Junior Staff’s experience and allow us to serve more teenage campers each summer. We give thanks to God for your partnership in the Gospel!

Front Gate

In order to be good stewards of the resources that God has blessed us with, every dollar donated to our Capital Improvement Fund will directly support the Last Resort project until it is fully funded! Meanwhile, installing a gate at the entrance of Camp to ensure the physical safety of our staff, guests, and campers remains a top priority. Therefore, we are actively pursuing additional funding opportunities to kickstart this crucial next step. With steadfast faith in the Lord’s provision, we anticipate starting this project by the end of 2024!

PINES

Adventure Woods

As we collaborate with architects to create a strategic master plan for the Pines Campus, the Lord continues to provide us with clarity about the enhancements required to enrich Camp Lone Star’s ministry in the Tomball and greater Houston area. We are thrilled to now be welcoming our new CEO to the team, as we march together towards updating and enhancing the Pines Campus. These improvements include mechanical upgrades, landscape development, and trail maintenance. Exciting plans for future expansion, aimed at accommodating more overnight guests and day campers, continues to excite and bolster our already growing ministry site. We commit to keeping everyone informed through our regular publications and digital communications; and we invite you to pray for wisdom among our leadership, as we seek to share God’s love and grow His kingdom together here at Camp.

Support camp by the numbers

4,273 Retreat guests since January 2024

1,863+ Summer campers registered 46 Summer staff

As we step into the next season of ministry under the leadership of our new CEO, we walk with confidence trusting that the Lord is directing our steps. Camp Lone Star has a rich history of transforming lives through adventurous Christ-centered experiences and we wholeheartedly believe that He is not done yet!

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” - Philippians 1:6

Whether you’re a summer camper, a parent of a summer camper, a retreat guest, a church partner, a donor champion, or somewhere in between, YOU are a part of the family that God has built here at Camp Lone Star. We are incredibly grateful for your support as we continue transforming lives for generations to come.

There are many ways you can give financially and volunteer your time to support the ministry of Camp Lone Star. Scan the QR code below to visit our Support Us page to learn more!

Want to support CLS in a more consistent and intentional way? Join the Development Council! Camp Lone Star’s Development Council was created in 1985 to help support Camp ministry financially and through volunteer work. Development Council members today serve as supportive leaders of camp through prayer, advocacy, and financial giving. Visit our Development Council page at camplonestar.org/ development-council to learn more about how you can join other donor champions to invest our ministry.

If you are a Thrivent Member, we need your help! Direct FREE funds to LOMT/Camp Lone Star using “Thrivent Choice”. That’s right! As a Thrivent Financial member, you have the opportunity to allocate some of Thrivent’s funds to LOMT/Camp Lone Star through the Thrivent Choice program. Your eligibility and the amount you can allocate depend on the types and values of your Thrivent Financial accounts and policies. To designate your “Choice Dollars” or to learn more, visit their website at thrivent.com/choice or call (800) 847-4836 and mention “Thrivent Choice”. Thank you for your invaluable support!

Thrivent choice

Upcoming events

La Grange

BBQ & Auction Fundraiser – July 28

Worship, BBQ Lunch, and Live & Silent Auction – all in support of what God is doing at and through Camp.

Father & Child Weekend – Aug. 30-Sept. 1

Dads, bring your kid(s) for a weekend of adventures as you explore Camp and deepen your relationship with God and each other!

Family Fun Night – Sept. 10, Oct. 15, Nov. 12, Dec. 10

Offered one Tuesday a month during the school year, these events include dinner, a devotion, and a variety of different games & activities for the whole family.

Embark – Sept. 20-22 & Oct. 4-6

For 6th-8th grade students to grow together as a community and with other churches from all around Texas, this retreat includes engaging Bible studies, adventurous games, and exploring God’s creation.

Fall Blast – Nov. 1-3

For 3rd-5th grade students, this is a perfect weekend to grow with your children’s ministry group. We will enjoy skits, songs, Camp activities, and Bible study sessions with your church group!

Tributes and memorial gifts

Laura Helen Noack Wolf, by Randy & Beverly Albers

Curtis and Ruth Doering , by Mark & Carolyn Boerger

Robert W. Boehm , by Mrs. Henry Boehm, Jr. Family, Glenn & Kathryn Wehring family, Adam Boehm, and Shelby Boehm family

Ida Hansen , by Jerry Brown; Mary Burnett; Allison Daniels; Glen Estes; Peace Lutheran Church; James Sturgis; Frank & Leah Wolf

Charlotte Baker, by Alan & Jacqueline Claude

Koy Domann , by Marsha Domann; Bobby Lindquist

Albert Hempel, by Beatrice Hempel

John Kane, by Alan & Anne Kane

Steve Waterman , by Summer King; Timothy Maudlin

Ruth Buchschacher & Quentin T. Kramer, by Teri Kramer

Kathleen Piersall, by Thomas Piersal

Harold Streicher, by Frank & Leah Wolf

IN HONOR OF

Wes Krueger, by Peggy Turnipseed Jeanette Huelsebusch , by Randy & Beverly Albers

Sue Sij , by Vernon & Bonnie Kelinske; John Sij

Redeemer Lutheran School in Austin , by Mary Lindsey

August Hempel, by Mike & Cheryl Linebrink

Madeline & Caroline Pogorzelski, by Henry Pogorzelski

Stan Fritz , by Karen Znoj

Mark Natzke, by John & Barbara Gruener

Kaitlyn Gruener Adams, Jacob Gruener & Joshua Gruener, by John & Barbara Gruener

Joseph Roth , by Esther Roth

Shirley (Radke) Bruce, by Larry Boye

Curtis & Ruth Doering , by Martin & Sandy Doering

Warren & Vonnie Snyder, by Martin & Sandy Doering

Sandy Schiller, by Dolores Karkoska

Travis & Amy Waiser, by Dolores Karkoska

Andrew & Angie Fair, by Dolores Karkoska

David & Kimberly Traylor, by Dolores Karkoska

Harry, Trish & Candice

Karkoska , by Dolores Karkoska

Jonathan & Theresa

Karkoska and family, by Dolores Karkoska

Joni Searles , by Keith & Jill Lund

Lily Perry, by Colin & Sarah Perry

Jay Jennings , by Jay & Connie Jennings

A special thanks to all who give tributes or memorials to benefit Camp, thanking our Lord for the special ones in our lives. These gifts were received between October 30, 2023 and June 2, 2024.