Pilgrim Pines Board Calls New Executive Director
Jim Condap elected to serve by unanimous decision
Cromwell, CT, December 20, 2017: The Chair of the Board of Directors of Pilgrim Pines Conference Center announced today the appointment and Call of Rev. Jim Condap as Executive Director. In announcing the decision, Kimberly Mann said, “Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors of Pilgrim Pines, I want to welcome Jim Condap to his new role as Executive Director. Through hard work, dedication and relationship-building, Jim has served faithfully for many years, seeking first God’s will for the Pines. I eagerly look forward to collaborating with Jim in this new role and offer sincere congratulations. Looking forward to the New Year I am reminded of what a gift we have in the ministry of Pilgrim Pines. We enthusiastically look ahead to the camping and conference opportunities planned for 2018. We are refreshed as we observe all the good work being accomplished, both to the grounds and buildings and in the hearts of the people we serve. Humbly, we acknowledge there is much more work to be done. Be comforted in knowing the work is underway and is now in the very capable hands of someone who is passionate to serve, and has been for many years.”
The Call comes with the concurrence of the East Coast Conference Board, approved at a special session held on Saturday, December 9. According to Rev. Eugene Kim, Chair of the East Coast Conference Board: “The East Coast Conference has been blessed to have the ministry of Pilgrim Pines bearing spiritual fruit in people’s lives for decades. For many years, Jim Condap has been there faithfully serving and helping make the Pines the special place that it is. And now, we’re thrilled to have Jim lead the Pines into our future as Executive Director! I whole-heartedly congratulate Jim on his appointment and look forward to even greater vision and deeper missional partnership with our Conference churches.”
The Call successfully concludes a search begun last Spring by a joint committee representing both boards, led by Bruce Bergstrom and including six other members. The committee welcomed applicants and nominations from across the ECC and within broader Christian camping networks. The process led the Search Committee to advance the nomination to the Pines full board, and then on to the Conference Board for their concurrence in keeping with the Bylaws under which the Pines operates and the East Coast Conference holds the agency as one of their ministries. In commenting on the decision, Bruce Bergstrom commented: “Jim has a strong track record of leadership both inside and outside of camp. This combined with his deep industry knowledge, institutional tenure, along with his various leadership roles within our conference churches, Pilgrim Pines and the greater Covenant makes Jim uniquely qualified to lead camp. After a national search, the Search Committee is excited that Jim has accepted the call as Executive Director of Pilgrim Pines. We look forward to seeing how God continues to work through him as he leads this vital ministry into the future.”
“I have known Jim Condap since childhood as we both grew up in the Covenant Church in Riverside, RI” comments Howard Burgoyne, Conference Superintendent. “It has been wonderful to work with Jim as our Ministry Director, and as Acting Director in the last two years. Jim is a great supporter of our Pines ministry, and a believer in Christian camping. I look forward to working closely with Jim and the Pines team under his leadership in the days to come.”
Jim, a graduate of Keene State College, and a Commissioned Staff Minister in the ECC, has served the Pines in several roles over many years. From 1993-1998 he served at Camp Squanto, directing the camp from 1996 – 1998. After serving in pastoral ministry in two churches he returned to the Pines in 2006 to serve as Ministry Director. In 2015 and again in 2017 Jim has stepped into transitions to serve as Acting Director. Jim has served broadly in the ECC in ministry leadership and on several CHIC teams as Main Stage Operations Director. He serves currently as the President of the Association of Covenant Camps and Conference Centers. He and his wife Erin, and three daughters live in Swanzey, NH. They are members of Monadnock Covenant Church, Keene, NH. Plans to recognize this Call and to host an installation service will be announced after the holidays.
Pilgrim Pines Conference Center and Camp Squanto are a ministry of the East Coast Conference (www.eastcoastconf.org) of the Evangelical Covenant Church. 2018 will be the 60th anniversary of ministry programming on Swanzey Lake, and a series of special events and activities are being planned to mark this significant milestone. For more information on the Pines and opportunities to participate, go to their Website, www.pilgrimpines.org