A LEGACY OF FAITH

​Camping has played an integral part in the history of God's people throughout the centuries. In the Old Testament, the Children of Israel camped in the desert for forty years as they learned how to follow God’s leading. Deuteronomy 23:14 reminds us that His presence was with them and His desire for them was holiness. "The Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you... therefore your camp must be holy." With this scripture in mind, we want to provide a place where people can sense God’s presence and be set apart from the world on holy ground.

When Jesus was preparing for His ministry, He valued His time away from the crowd and went into the wilderness for forty days to fast, reflect, and pray (Luke 4:1-14). Our desire is to provide a retreat-centered atmosphere, dedicated to God, where people can lay aside their routine cares and concerns and reconnect with God in the same way that Jesus did.

Camp Pioneer was originally built on 75 beautiful acres on Lake Shore Road in Angola, NY. The grounds were originally a YMCA youth camp. However, in 1945, the property was acquired by The Lutheran Laymen’s League of the Lutheran Church. Since that time, it has been operated by several branches of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

Pioneer on the Lake is currently under the management of the Friends of Pioneer, Inc, a non-profit organization, in partnership with the landowners, Concordia Lutheran Ministries of Cabot, Pa. Pioneer is a Christian camp and retreat center that seeks to honor God while providing a place for community, worship, fellowship, and serving God and others.