In the summer of 1989, I found myself at Grand Lake Lodge as a volunteer with ACMNP. At the time, I didn’t realize that what I was stepping into would quietly shape the course of my life. I had never done ministry before, but that summer became a “backdoor” introduction to what pastoral life could look like. I led Bible studies, helped with worship, and spent unhurried time walking through the campground, talking with people about life and faith. Somewhere in those ordinary moments, God began planting a seed in me—a gentle but steady nudge that He might be calling me into ministry. 

Looking back, I can see how God was already preparing me. Later that year, I stepped into leading small groups, and the experiences from that summer gave me confidence and vision. Years later, when I had the privilege of serving as Executive Director of ACMNP for ten years, those early days continued to shape how I led. I became deeply committed to taking chances on young people—not just seeing who they were in the moment, but who they might become with encouragement, responsibility, and trust.

I also had the joy of watching God’s faithfulness unfold in my own family. My children grew up surrounded by joyful, authentic Christians who loved Jesus and loved people well. ACMNP wasn’t just a ministry I served; it became a community that shaped us. There were hard moments too—medical emergencies in the wilderness, unexpected life circumstances with students—but time and again, I saw God meet us with grace. 

What has always stood out to me about ACMNP is its steady commitment to Christ while welcoming people from many different backgrounds and traditions. My encouragement to anyone stepping into ACMNP is simple: Go all in. Step out in faith. Trust that God is already at work—and He will faithfully carry it through.

-Spencer Lundgaard, Grand Lake Lodge Alumni & Former Executive Director