The TWK Board of Camp and Retreat Ministry is excited to share that Russell Casteel will be shifting to serve full-time as the Executive Director of Tennessee- Western Kentucky United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry at the end of July. The executive director oversees both Cedar Crest Camp and Beersheba Springs Assembly.

By taking on this role full-time, Russell will be better able to focus on fundraising, strategic planning and visioning, and supporting board development. When his responsibilities shift, Audrey Jordan, the current Cedar Crest Camp Program Director, will serve as the new full-time Site Director at the camp.

“Cedar Crest has grown so much that it needs day-to-day leadership to help achieve the vision and strategic plan to meet our conference’s mission, said Russell. “Wearing both the site director hat and the executive director hat has become harder as our sites have grown and the need for fundraising and development has increased. I am thankful for the board’s brave steps in creating a new path, and we will continue to remain faithful to that.”

Russell has served as Cedar Crest Site Director since October 2013 and added the responsibility of Executive Director when Rev. Dickie Hinton retired from that position in 2018.

Before moving to Tennessee, Russell served for 12 years as Program Director at Camp Lake Stephens United Methodist Camp in the Mississippi Annual Conference. He holds an MDiv from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, a Doctor of Ministry from Drew University in Ecology and Theology, and a Certification in United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry from Drew University.  

During his tenure as Cedar Crest Site Director, Cedar Crest earned accreditation from the American Camp Association in 2015, which it currently maintains, making it one of only 6 West and Middle Tennessee camp and retreat centers to do so.  In addition, Cedar Crest grew rapidly from 2015 to 2019, more than doubling the number of summer camperships. 

Two modern cabins were built to expand Cedar Crest’s capacity, while a High Ropes course and Zip Line were built to increase program offerings. The Environmental Education and Adventure Camp programs were also established, creating innovative programming and partnerships to a growing Tennessee area. 

“I am excited to increase our funding so that we can strengthen Cedar Crest and Beersheba Springs to remain not only viable but vital in their operations. I look forward to working with Lakeshore and am eager to grow our collaboration in program and connection, as they remain a crucial aspect of our camping culture in the TWK,” said Russell.

“In addition to fund development, I am ready for the work ahead for camping in racial reconciliation. Rural places – selected by our conference decades ago for their very seclusion and natural beauty – carry a racist past and present, and we have work to do to rebuild a bridge for people of color to not only feel loved at camp, but to first feel safe.”

A big part of the Camp and Retreat Ministry Board’s discernment that now is the time to take this bold step is that God has equipped the current Cedar Crest Camp with leaders who can step into new roles. This team is ready to build capacity for a sustainable camping ministry for the future. 

The staffing at Cedar Crest will remain in place, while shifts in responsibility to several staff will help to transition the team for its next journey.  With Audrey Jordan moving to serve as the new Site Director, current Assistant Program Director Caleb Purdue will move into the position of Program Director. Madison Causey will become the Registrar for Cedar Crest beginning this June. Learn more about the Cedar Crest Camp staff.