Manhattan Beach Retreat Centre is owned by the Manitoba and N.W. Ontario District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.  The camp is operated by a Camp Executive appointed by the District Executive.  The Camp Executive led by a Board Chair.  Operations of the camp are handled by the Camp Director, who is hired by the District Executive and the Camp Executive.  The Camp Executive consists of a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, District Officers and other members with various portfolios as assigned.

Current Camp Executive

MBRC Leadership History

The Manhattan Beach Full Gospel Camp was established at Manhattan Beach in 1939, under the leadership of Rev. Egbert Berry, Rev. C. Nelson and Rev. T. Latta, District Superintendant. Generally the camp was lead by the District office leadership, with assistance from PAOC pastors. As the work to maintain the camp facilities increased and the buildings became more permanent in the 1950’s, the District hired onsite camp directors. Often the Camp Director also served as a minister in the area churches. Over the years many pastors, district officials and some lay leaders served on the camp committee, providing the foresight to erect buildings, maintain the property and promote Manhattan Beach to the Pentecostals of the area.

MBRC Board Leadership History

In 1987, several lay members involved in the camp saw the need to take the camp further both in ministry and in the facilities. With the support of Rev. Clarence Mitchell, the District Ministries Director, Dale Berry (as Executive Director) Harold Hamilton, Gordon Griggs, Bob Hoger and William Dueck among others, established the official Manhattan Beach Camp Board. Dale Berry served as Executive Director until 1997. During his tenure, the grounds expanded with new cabin and trailer lots, a Junior Olympic swimming pool was developed, a new miniature golf course was built, a new workshop constructed, 12 new motel units were added, and a new youth chapel was setup. From 1997 to 2006, Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht became Executive Director, during which time a new Children’s Chapel and Dining Hall (Retreat Centre) were built and 28 new motel units were setup. As well, the Preschool Chapel, Tabernacle and Youth Chapel were all renovated and updated. In 2007, Craig Doerksen was appointed Executive Director who has continued to upgrade the facilities with the construction of a new office. His main focus is on developing the camp as a year round ministry facility.

Camp Director History

There have been many camp directors over the years, with many serving as volunteers or in co-labouring positions while in pastoral ministry. Rev. A. McLean, Rev. Lloyd Dickinson, Mr. Witherspoon, and Rev. E. C. Mitchell all served the camp up through the years into the 1970s. Rev. Ray Crocker served as camp director in the mid 1970’s through to the mid 1980’s. Don Mitchell and Rev. Reg Rivet also served as interim camp directors. In 1987 Rev. Bruce Nehring served as camp director under the newly formed Board. In 1990, Rev. Dennis Schram came to serve as camp director and continued in that role until his retirement in 2016. Mr. Schram, at the urging of the District Superintendent Rev. Gordon Peters, began his theological studies and was ordained with the PAOC in 2003. After over 25 years of service, Rev. Dennis Schram retired on March 31, 2016.

Currently, Aaron Sawatsky has served as the Camp Director since 2017.