A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP) originated as a student-led ministry in the Old Faithful area of Yellowstone National Park in 1951. The first services of worship were begun and led by Princeton Seminary student, Warren Ost, after he noted the growing faith-based needs of park visitors, employees, permanent residents, and of his own coworkers at the Inn. Subsequent to the 1951 summer season, requests were sent to three seminaries for help to expand Ost’s summer ministry efforts. Princeton responded favorably and sent several students to lead interdenominational services with Ost at several more locations in Yellowstone in 1952.

The Rev Dr Warren W. Ost went on to lead ACMNP as its founding executive director, serving in that capacity for 45 years. His robust personality helped expand ACMNP into more than 25 national parks, national monuments, recreation areas, and national forests before his death in 1997. Ost is survived by his wife, Nancy Ost, who has been an active participant in the ministry since its inception.

By 1970, ACMNP had become a vibrant ministry with an ecumenical mission, guided and financially supported by the National Council of Churches (NCC). As the NCC became increasingly challenged by new issues facing the church their ability to support ACMNP diminished. As a result, ACMNP’s leadership began exploring the advantages of becoming an independent, self-supporting movement. Near the end of 1971, the NCC formally recognized A Christian Ministry in the National Parks as a valid, independent, interdenominational movement.

By January, 1972, the ACMNP National Advisory Board was formed and continues to develop policies, administer field operations, and approve the annual budget. The ACMNP National Advisory Board represents a variety of denominations and consists of people from diverse walks of life such as the National Park Service, park concession companies, ACMNP alumni, denominational figureheads, and other interested individuals.

ACMNP has hosted two executive directors since The Rev Dr Ost. In 1996, The Rev Dr Richard P. Camp, Jr., became the second director, offering his determined and compassionate leadership to ACMNP for twelve years before retiring in 2008. Rev Camp joined ACMNP with his wife, Virjean, after a distinguished career as Chaplain of the United States Military Academy at West Point. His ability to inspire and cast a vision of ministry still compels a wide base of constituents to approach the ACMNP mission in fresh ways.

The current director of ACMNP is Rev Spencer L. Lundgaard. As a participant with ACMNP while in college, an advocate for this ministry as a Trustee and Board Member, and as a pastor whose heart is spiritually alive, Rev Lundgaard is ideally suited to be ACMNP’s third director. Rev Lundgaard combines experience in business and church ministry to offer ACMNP a very well rounded direction. He joined ACMNP during the summer of 2008 with his wife, Melissa, and their two young daughters, Lauren and Kelsey. They are expecting another child in the fall of 2008.

ACMNP now places ministry teams in more than 20 national parks each year, from Alaska’s Denali National Park to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Every Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, ACMNP Ministry Staff Members offer approximately 150 worship services at 75 sites across the country.

The ACMNP National Office is located in Denver, Colorado, and is staffed by five professionals who share a love for the outdoors, a Christian worldview, and a desire to thread the two together for the ultimate purpose of ushering people into a greater understanding of God.

The National Office produces an annual report each year documenting organizational progress. You can request one by calling our office at 1.800.786.3450, or emailing us at info@acmnp.com.

SIGNIFICANT DATES

• 1872: Yellowstone National Park is established
• 1873: First service of worship on record in Yellowstone
• 1949: Student ministry in Yellowstone initiated
• 1952: (April) NPS gives approval for A Protestant Ministry in the National Parks
• 1952: (May) The name “A Christian Ministry in the National Parks” is adopted
• 1952: (June) ACMNP Staff serve in Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks
• 1957: At the end of ACMNP’s fifth year there are 121 Ministry Staff Members
• 1972: ACMNP separates from the National Council of Churches and becomes an independent non-profit organization
• 1976: ACMNP National Office moves to New York
• 1996: Rev Warren W. Ost retires and Rev Richard P. Camp, Jr. becomes second Executive Director
• 1996: ACMNP National Office moves to Boston
• 1998: ACMNP establishes website www.acmnp.com
• 2001: ACMNP National Office moves to Freeport, Maine
• 2008: ACMNP National Office moves to its current location in Denver, Colorado
• 2008: Rev Richard P. Camp, Jr. retires and Rev Spencer L. Lundgaard becomes third Executive Director