IRON RIVER, MI (June 6, 2011) – Erik Strom has been selected as executive director of Covenant Point Bible Camp in Iron River, Michigan.
Strom begins his duties August 15, 2011. Currently, he is the youth pastor at Winnetka Covenant Church in Wilmette, Illinois, where he has served since 2007.
The Harbor Point Ministries Board, with the approval of the Central Conference Executive Board, unanimously approved Strom’s appointment in meetings May 31 and June 2.
“Erik will be a strong leader for Covenant Point,” said Beth Fredrickson, chair of the search committee. “He has a tremendous passion for the camp’s ministry and a deep desire to honor the past while embracing the future.”
The need for an executive director at Covenant Point was the result of the sudden death last November of Chuck Frasier, who had been at the helm of the camp for 26 years. Frasier was credited with developing the camp into a thriving, year-round ministry that serves thousands of youth and adults annually.
Since Frasier’s death, Bill Fish, the camp’s director of ministry, has served as the interim director. He worked closely with Frasier for 22 years.
“Bill was a true partner in ministry to Chuck, and provided the leadership the camp needed these past months,” said Bob Olson, Harbor Point Ministries board chair. “We are all so grateful for his service and his commitment to the camp.”
Strom brings years of camping experience to the position. A native of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, where he grew up in the Hinsdale Covenant Church, he attended Covenant Harbor as a boy.
He began working at Covenant Point while in high school. He has spent many summers on staff, including three as the island director. He also participated in the Point’s internship program, serving 18 months in that role and learning many aspects of the camp’s operation.
Strom earned a bachelor of arts in biblical and theological studies, and in business administration, from North Park University, a master of divinity from North Park Theological Seminary and a master of nonprofit administration from the School of Business and Nonprofit Management at North Park.
“The search committee was impressed by Strom’s clear call to the ministry of Covenant Point, his deep love for the camp, his seminary and business management training, and his leadership abilities,” said Fredrickson.
Strom’s wife, Courtney, has worked at Covenant Point as an assistant cook and a full-time intern. They have three young sons, Caleb, Jackson, and Emmett.
