that God LOVES

that God CREATES

that God TRIUMPHS

that God REDEEMS

that God INHABITS

Gene Joiner
Camp Director

Gene is originally from North Carolina and we are excited to bring him home. For the last 19 years he has been the Executive Director of Christian camps along the east coast. He and his family moved to Camp Monroe in February and will live at camp.

Gene served at Camp Crestfield of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, Camp Krislund, a Presbyterian camp near State College, serving three presbyteries, Maranatha, and Rockfish camps. He is excited to be working with the Board at Camp Monroe and Coastal Carolina Presbytery. Gene has demonstrated considerable skills in program development, expanding camper numbers, staff development, and connections with worshiping communities. Many of his camps have grown from hundreds of campers to thousands in a matter of years.

References for Gene state he is a dynamic leader who is both spiritual, faithful, and has a heart for Jesus. The Camp Monroe search team was very impressed with his well-rounded approach to camping ministry that brings Jesus and faith formation to campers year-round. His skills and experience include marketing, promotions and grant writing, summer camp leadership and growth, adult programming and retreat management. His passion for youth and adult discipleship, organizational skills, and love of God’s Church will be a blessing to all of us.

Gene served as an Airborne Ranger in the US Army and was deployed to Korea for a year. He holds a B.S. in History from Appalachian State University. Prior to working in full time camping ministry he was the head coach for the women’s basketball team at Lees McRae College in
Banner Elk, North Carolina.

Gene has been married to Anissa for 23 years and they have four children: Hannah, Madeline, Kaleb and just adopted Sasha from the Ukraine. Anissa is a graduate of Campbell University. Gene believes that, “camping ministry…provides an experience for families to encounter God in a place set apart with radical Christian hospitality, and a place for children and youth to grow and learn who they are in God’s eyes.”

Jennifer Lankford
Office Manager

If you need a question answered about Camp Monroe, Jennifer is the person you need to talk to. She handles the weddings, retreats, maintenance schedule, summer camp reservations, tours, and menus here at Camp Monroe. Jennifer has been with us for over 8 years and we don’t know what we would do without her! Overqualified for our position, Jennifer uses her MBA from St. Andrews University to manage our marketing, human resources, keep our Director stay on target, and plan our calendar of events. She is excited for the tremendous growth that 2025 is offering and learns something new each day! When she’s not at camp, she supports her church as Treasurer and can usually be found curled up on the couch with a chai tea and a cat or two catching up on TV shows.

Hannah Joiner
Angel Tree Camp Coordinator

I’m a licensed Esthetician, whitewater kayaker and a world traveler. I’ve worked at camp for 6 years. I have served as Water Front Director and Day Camp Director to now Angle Tree Camp Coordinator. Summer camp is a giant part of my life it’s where I became a Christian and I have grow in my relationship with the Lord. I’ve also served on the mission field. I was a missionary for a semester in Cambodia and Thailand and now that I’m back I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for this summer!