About
Spruce Lake
41.2266° N, 75.2676° W
Spruce Lake Ministries encourages persons from all walks of life to a deeper faith in God through Jesus Christ.
In this peaceful setting in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania, Spruce Lake provides Christian church, family and business groups with lodging, meeting spaces and meals for their next event or retreat. Spruce Lake also hosts youth camps, retreats for families and individuals, and outdoor education programs throughout the year.
Quick Facts
Our Story
The story of Spruce Lake is one of God’s Spirit moving across generations to form and sustain a place which has become a spiritual home for many.
In 1955, hurricanes Connie and Diane poured down over 21 inches of rain on the Pocono Mountains region. From the mud, God used rescue work spearheaded by Blooming Glen Mennonite Church to shape the yet unforeseen Spruce Lake.
Nearly 700 people came to the first open house in May 1963, and dedicated their new mountain sanctuary to the Lord for his work July 4, 1963. Families and children came to play and explore, to share a meal, to worship, and make music in their hearts to God.
What started with just a few family retreats and only 2 weeks of camp that first summer has now expanded to serving over 30,000 guests and campers each year. Over the years, as facilities have changed and programs expanded, the mission of Spruce Lake has remained the same:
Pointing People Toward Christ
God’s amazing work through Spruce Lake Ministries continues to this day. In 2017, God choreographed the purchase of Spruce Mountain, a favorite spot, with payment in full! In Spring 2018, a new Youth Activity Center, Mountain View, was dedicated as a youth ministry hub. In Fall 2018, Pinebrook was added to the Spruce Lake Family. (Click the link below to learn more about Pinebrook.) By the start of 2025, 16 cabins were added to our Youth Campus, so we can now serve children and youth year-round.
Pointing People Toward Christ
Spruce Lake is dedicated to Christian ministry, and is rooted in the Anabaptist tradition with the foundational belief that the life and teachings of Jesus are central to our lives. We believe that Jesus is the complete revelation of who God is, and he becomes the Holy Light who guides our thoughts and actions. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Creator, Savior, Lord and Sustainer of our lives, declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead. Our purpose in all that we do is to point people toward Christ!
Affiliations & Memberships
Mennonite Camping Association
Christian Camp Conference Association
Joni & Friends
The Christian Overcomers, Inc.
Spruce Lake Ministries Leadership
Our Leadership Team
The leaders of Spruce Lake Ministries are a passionate team inspired to point people toward Christ. God has worked through both locations – Pinebrook and Spruce Lake – in awesome ways! And He has prepared each person chosen to lead this ministry. This is God’s place, the harvest fields where He graciously allows us to serve.
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- Stephanie Gehman – Chief Executive Officer
- Mark Swartley – Chief Financial Officer
- Jonathan Tice – Spruce Lake Director
- Richard Brewer – Pinebrook Director
- Gordy Martin – Vice President of Sales
- Julie Siegfried – Human Resource Director
- Brian Brawley – Food Service Director
- Dave Trout – Advancement
- Kathy Bergey – Finance Manager
- Steve Ykema – Facilities Director
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