91大神

The Northern California Conference (91大神) is delighted to welcome Elias Esquivel as Leoni Meadows Camp Director. He will start in October.

For Esquivel, camp ministry has been more than a career鈥攊t has been a lifelong passion and calling. His journey began in 1999, when, as a 14-year-old, he worked in the dish room at Pine Lake Retreat in the Florida Conference. 鈥淐amp ministry is my passion,鈥� Elias reflects, 鈥渂ecause it changes lives, and it changed mine.鈥� He would go on to spend ten years at Camp Kulaqua in Florida, serving as the Operations Manager before moving back to Pine Lake as the Camp Manager. Eventually, his path led him north to the Ohio Conference, where he spent five summers at Camp Mohaven, four of those years as Camp Manager.

Elias combines a passion for ministry with practical skills. Growing up on a farm, he learned responsibility early, driving tractors at age five and fixing what needed repair. He later studied structural engineering and earned a business degree, giving him what he calls 鈥渁 well-rounded grasp of plant operations and systems.鈥�

Camp has shaped Elias鈥� life in many ways鈥攊ncluding personally. During a Bible workers鈥� program at camp, he met his wife, Lizandra. For twenty years, they have built their life around faith, ministry, and service, and today they鈥檙e raising two children, Elijah (14) and Lilah Ruth (11).

At the heart of Elias鈥� vision for Leoni Meadows is a promise from Scripture that has guided him throughout his life:鈥� 鈥楩or I know the plans I have for you,鈥� declares the Lord, 鈥榩lans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future鈥欌�� (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

鈥淭hroughout my life I鈥檝e tried to seek God鈥檚 will, and it doesn鈥檛 always line up with my own,鈥� Elias reflects. 鈥淏ut I know God鈥檚 plan is better than mine, and He declares that He will prosper us and not harm us. I always defer to Him, knowing His plan is the best.鈥�

Stepping into leadership at Leoni Meadows, Elias鈥� priority is people and mission. 鈥淢y goal is to listen and learn the operation well, then chart a plan forward,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e鈥檒l keep strengthening programs, investing in safety and excellence, and serving kids and families. None of this happens without our dedicated staff鈥擨 want them to know how essential they are to the camp鈥檚 success.鈥�

With broad experience, practical skill, and deep spiritual conviction, Elias is ready to lead Leoni Meadows into its next chapter鈥攊n this place, children, families, and staff encounter Jesus in transformative ways. Please join us in welcoming Elias Esquivel and his family. We鈥檙e excited for what God will do next at Leoni Meadows鈥攚here unforgettable experiences, Christ-centered community, and life-changing moments continue to flourish.

Featured in Northern Lights, September 25, 2025
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