08/14/2026
August 14, 2026
The NovusWay Board gathered August 6 through 8 at Lutherock for one of our three in-person meetings each year. We welcomed three new members to the Board: Pat Cornwell, Scott Pinkerton, and Rev. Sara Cutter. It was an uplifting few days, full of stories from a strong summer and dreaming together about what lies ahead for our camping ministries.
The Board is thankful to have Lauri SoJourner at the helm as CEO. We continue to be grateful for her leadership, in big ways and small. She, along with the entire staff, worked hard to pull off yet another successful summer season. While attendance numbers weren’t quite where we hoped they would be, we're adjusting and working on our budgeting, both financially and around participation numbers. We're trending toward ending the year with a deficit, which we're working to address. One way we can close that gap is by leaning on the generosity of supporters like you.
On a brighter note, we are looking forward to a busy Fall full of many hosted ministry opportunities. A few other quick things of note:
-Van Van Horne, Executive Director at Ridge and Rock, joined us on Friday, sharing his vision for our camps and imparting his deep Lutherock knowledge. Alongside Nathan Boykin, he helped lead a tour for the Board. We thank them both for their passion and love of camp.
-Our new Chief Marketing Officer will be starting in September who will better help us communicate the opportunities our camps and programs provide.
-Lutheridge's 75th Birthday Campaign is going strong, and we're closing in on our $3.6 million goal. Now that the campaign has kicked off in the South Carolina Synod, we're hopeful we'll surpass that target by a good bit.
-While recovery from the hurricane continues in many ways, our properties are being maintained better than ever, with some facilities being refreshed for the first time.
-NovusWay received a clean financial audit and all statements are materially correct, the highest rating possible. Maybe this isn’t the most exciting headline, but it’s a good sign that we are doing our best to be good stewards of all the gifts you’ve entrusted to us.
-We are exploring ways to bring additional land at Lutherock into conservancy. While much of the camp is already protected, we have acquired more acreage since that was last done. This effort can protect the land and camp in perpetuity.
There was also plenty of conversation about NovusWay’s strategic plan, which will guide us in the coming years. It's a living document, and the Board and CEO Lauri SoJourner spent time reviewing what makes sense for the here and now. With the staff’s input, some timelines and goals shifted a bit, but the pillars remain the same: grow summer camp, grow year-round and hosted ministry, strengthen our facilities, care for our staff, and build financial viability. We're laying the foundation now, and with Lauri as our knowledgeable CEO, a talented NovusWay staff, and wonderful program staff behind her, we look forward to growing this ministry for youth and adults alike. The strategic plan can be viewed inside the 8/14/2026 Message from the Board Update located on the NovusWay website.
One conversation we spent real time on, along with Bishop Kevin Strickland of the Southeastern Synod, was where things stand with Lutheranch. While the difficult but necessary decision to sell Ranch hasn’t changed, an update is indeed needed. We previously sold half of Lutheranch, and the remaining half, which includes the McKanna-Sandrock Retreat Center, remains on the market. There has been interest from various non-profit groups, but no one has yet come forward with a serious offer. Several of those interested want to maintain it as a camping and retreat center, which would hold true to the initial vision of that property.
We are committed to sharing more information along the way, and you can look for a fuller update about Lutheranch in video form in the coming weeks.
My first meeting as Board Chair was filled with heartfelt conversations among many talented members who all have a passion for outdoor ministry and our camps of Lutheridge, Lutherock, and Luther Springs. There’s so much to be excited about in the coming years at our camps, and with your participation, support, and generosity, NovusWay will continue to be places apart for meaningful experiences, authentic friendships, high adventure, leadership development, and fun in God's creation.
God’s peace be with you all, and thank you for your support of the camps we all love.
Rev. Jason M. Lee
NovusWay Board President
