Bennett Love
Bennett first came to Saint Christopher as a summer camper in 2002, after 2nd grade, and he continued returning each summer as long as he could! He volunteered as a counselor throughout his high school years and worked 3 summers from 2013-2016 as a summer camp staff member; 2 of those were with his (now) wife. After graduating from Clemson with a B.S. in Management, he entered the workforce and eventually found his way back to Saint Christopher in 2019, joining as the Director of the Conference Center. He has been at Saint Christopher since then and now works as the Director of Operations. He and his wife, Katelin, live in West Ashley with their son James; who loves to visit Saint Christopher as much as they do.
Where do you see God at St. Christopher?
I see God moving through the people. We often refer to Saint Christopher as a thin place, where both guests and staff have felt God's presence and peace here. I think when our staff and guests feel that presence, it translates to God's will being done through them.
What is your favorite place on campus?
I have two, the first is the Chapel of the Palms and the second is the Rec Hall. Together, these buildings represent some of the best things about a Christian camp: faith and fun. Separately, they serve (and allow us to foster) these two different, but very important, aspects of a successful Christian camp. One place is designed for people to gather for worship, prayer, and hold deeper conversation, while the other is built for people to run, play, dance, and so on.
As soon as you walk into the chapel, you are hit with that unique sweet wood scent, and you notice the walls with color rubbed away from decades of kids sitting against them. When I look at the altar there, I'm almost overwhelmed by the memory of sermons heard, testimonies shared, worship songs sang, games and skits performed, tears shed, and lives transformed. It's the place I've felt safest at Saint Christopher, and I owe so much of who I am to the experiences I've had there.
Just down the boardwalk, you find the Rec Hall, which I have a soft spot for, similar to how you might look back on a house you grew up in. Some of my favorite memories were made there; my most recent one being proposing to my wife on the porch in 2019. As a kid, you quickly realize that there are few things better than running around frantically playing noodle hockey with people you just met. I've seen other campers' walls completely crumble after winning a game played in there, or dancing and singing to whatever song is blasting out the DJ booth.
At the end of the day, the buildings are just buildings, but it's the way God works in those walls, through the people in these different ways that makes them special. I'm incredibly thankful for the memories I've made there and for the people I've shared them with over the years.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
My favorite bible verse is Hebrews 12:1- 3:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.