Meet Our New Executive Director!

Agapé Kure Beach Ministries Announces Thomas Reddinger as Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Agapé Kure Beach Ministries joyfully announces the unanimous selection of Thomas Reddinger as Executive Director. The appointment was approved at the Board's January 24th meeting following a comprehensive and prayerful search process. Reddinger will begin his role on March 4th.

Reddinger brings 25 years of full-time outdoor ministry experience to this role—a depth of calling and expertise that is rare and invaluable. Most recently, he has served as Marketing & IT Coordinator/Registrar for the Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central Pennsylvania since 2007, providing strategic leadership in communications, technology, and registration for three interconnected ministry sites. He also serves as Communications Coordinator for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, the ELCA's official outdoor ministry association.

"We are excited to welcome Thomas as the next Executive Director of Agapé Kure Beach Ministries," said Rev. Ethan Overcash, Chair of the Executive Director Search Team. "Throughout our interviews and reference conversations, a consistent picture emerged: Thomas is thoughtful, authentic, humble, gifted, and deeply committed to Christ-centered outdoor ministry. What excites us most is how naturally he already embodies the values at the heart of our ministry and our Seven Major Goals."

Throughout his career, Reddinger has demonstrated a commitment to the core values that define Agapé Kure Beach Ministries. His work creates environments where people feel genuinely welcomed and valued. He brings a collaborative leadership style that empowers others by building leaders all around him. His passion for creation is a huge part of his understanding of his call to outdoor ministry, and as a musician active in his congregation's worship life, he brings an appreciation for how music connects people to God's story and each other.

The Board believes Reddinger brings exceptional strengths that are precisely what Agapé Kure Beach Ministries needs at this moment in its ministry. He has led comprehensive marketing and communications strategies for nearly 20 years, understanding how to tell the stories of ministry, engage donors, and connect with congregations. As former Camp Director and Program Director at Agapé Bible Camp in Hickory, PA (2001-2005), he expanded summer sessions from 2 to 6 weeks and strengthened volunteer and congregational engagement. We are confident his technological expertise in building registration systems, websites, and IT infrastructure will help the ministry operate more efficiently and reach more people. He brings such an incredibly diverse experience and set of skills to the job, but much more than that, he brings an authentic and passionate heart for why outdoor ministry matters.

"Camp has always been a place where I have encountered God through moments of clarity, grace, and transformation," said Reddinger. "Agapé Kure Beach Ministries has long been a place where people encounter Christ in Creation and Community. I am deeply honored to be called to serve this ministry and join the whole Agapé community as we continue this important ministry together."

Reddinger's deep connections within the broader outdoor ministry community represent a tremendous asset for Agapé Kure Beach Ministries. Through his current role with Lutheran Outdoor Ministries and his two-plus decades with multiple outdoor ministries, he is well-networked among ELCA and other outdoor ministry professionals, unlocking the potential for innovation, partnership, and collaboration. The Board believes these relationships and insights will help strengthen our ministry and connect us more deeply to the larger movement of outdoor and retreat ministries, within our Lutheran community and beyond.

"This is a pivotal time for Agapé Kure Beach Ministries," said Melinda Menz, President of the Board of Directors. "We have gained clarity about our mission and are poised for a new chapter. Thomas has the gifts, the experience, the calling, and the eagerness to honor the legacy of this ministry while leading us faithfully into the future."

The Board extends its deepest gratitude to all who offered their faithful service and leadership during this lengthy period of transition, especially all our dedicated staff, past and present, and all who served on the search team.