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Nancy Patten has been an integral part of Okontoe Fellowship since its 1971 founding by her parents, Bill and Willie Barr. For 46 years, she served alongside her husband, Mark, including his 33-year tenure as Director until his passing in 2019. Together, they raised four children and were blessed with twelve grandchildren.

Today, Nancy remains a steadfast guardian of the ministry’s original vision: creating a “church without walls” where individuals can encounter Jesus within a wilderness setting. Carrying forward both her father’s mission and Mark’s heart for service, she is dedicated to mentoring, discipleship, and radical hospitality.

Her life’s work focuses on providing a refuge for those seeking rest, a new compass bearing, and a quiet place to hear the Lord. Through her enduring commitment, Nancy ensures Okontoe remains a sanctuary for spiritual renewal and guidance for all who visit.

For Jody Selin, Okontoe is more than a workplace—it is a lifelong legacy. As the granddaughter of founders Bill and Willie Barr, Jody has been visiting these grounds her entire life. In fact, her personal history is woven into the landscape; it was on “The Rocks” across Bow Lake where Ben asked her to marry him.

Today, Jody serves the ministry through a diverse range of roles, including bookkeeping, camper registration and guest services.

Jody brings a spirit of care and precision to the office, though her true passion lies in prayer ministry and heart-to-heart connections. Her service is informed by her time on the mission field in Mongolia, where she served for three years with the World Mission Prayer League.

Jody finds deep joy in seeing the Lord’s purposes fulfilled in the lives of campers, carrying forward the spiritual mission her grandparents began decades ago.

Jerry and his wife Jean live in Stillwater, Minnesota. Their journey with Okontoe began with a vacation Bible school trip to the Indian village, Fort Hope , Ontario. They eventually ended up as full time missionaries to that village. Many of the relationships formed there are lifelong.

Jerry also was an educator for 25 years serving in both Christian and public schools.

Every trip to Okontoe feels like a trip home. He feels like Okontoe is truly a place of God’s presence.

Stephen’s faith began in nature, reflecting Okontoe’s vision of a “Church Without Walls.” As a boy, he experienced God’s presence while his parents hosted a small riverside fellowship. Through youth camping, skiing, hiking, cycling, and travel, he continued to see God in creation—a passion he and his wife, Dawn, still share.

Stephen and Dawn have called Wisconsin home since their marriage in 1984. While raising three children, they felt led by God to adopt a son from Russia, and today all four of their children are married, blessing them with eight grandsons.

As an architect, Stephen focused on church facility planning, helping congregations clarify their vision and purpose.

Life-defining experiences in his thirties deepened his walk with the Holy Spirit. Since then, he has served in diverse roles, from international missions to pastor, while cherishing family, discipleship, time with friends, and now serving a “Church Without Walls.”

Ken has been connected with Okontoe since the late 1980s, serving on the Board for several years, and values the ministry’s impact on individuals and communities.

Since retiring in 2009, he has served as Vice President of Ministry and Housing for Life Rebuilders, a faith-based organization supporting newly released prisoners, men struggling with addiction, and men experiencing homelessness.

Ken earned his BA degree and completed post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota before founding and leading a manufacturing firm that employed 225 people. Over thirty years as the company’s CEO, he also shared his insights widely, speaking and lecturing at churches, colleges, and men’s groups across the country.

Ken and his wife, Sally, live in Rosemount, Minnesota, and are proud parents of six children and grandparents to twenty-two grandchildren. Through both professional and personal endeavors, Ken’s life reflects a commitment to leadership, service, and faith-driven community transformation.

Joel Barr is the first grandchild of Bill and Willie Barr, founders of Okontoe, and has been married to his wife Bridget for nearly 30 years. Together, they have two adult children and a family deeply rooted in the Okontoe community, spending time each year at their favorite spot, the Green Trailer.

Joel works in the automotive industry, where he shares his faith with co-workers, and has served in a variety of ministry roles including worship team, men’s Bible studies, creative director, and stage builder for his local church.

Growing up with parents on staff at Okontoe, Joel experienced firsthand the transformative work of this “church without walls” ministry. He cherishes memories of camp kids, community campfires, fellowship, and discipleship.

He’s is known for his incredible visual memory—don’t be surprised if he remembers you from years ago!

Bridget Barr manages business continuity and crisis response in the healthcare industry and brings a wealth of experience in business management, bookkeeping, and real estate.

She is co-founder of HOPE 4 Youth, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Minnesota dedicated to ending youth homelessness, where she currently serves as Board Member Emeritus. Passionate about giving back, Bridget strives to foster positive environments where youth can thrive.

Her connection to Okontoe runs deep. Her earliest memory is arriving at camp to see 20-30 people gathered around a campfire, singing and praising the Lord, welcomed with open arms and hearts. This experience left a lasting impression, shaping her faith and dedication to community.

Alongside her family, Bridget treasures her time at the Green Trailer and sharing Okontoe with friends and loved ones as a place of refuge, healing, and restoration.

Brian Rupe is the husband of Lynn, father of six, and grandfather of seven and growing. A graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Nature Interpretation, Brian felt called early on to share Christ through what he describes as the “book of nature.”

In 1982, Brian and his family moved to Camp Tecumseh YMCA, where he served as program director for four years. It was there that he clearly discovered God’s plan for using camping ministry to share the Gospel and to help shape Christlike character in children.

Brian continued his YMCA career as executive director at four additional camps across Michigan, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. He concluded his YMCA service as interim CEO of the Youngstown YMCA. In 2019, Brian, Lynn, and their youngest daughter, Amy, returned to Minnesota to be closer to most of their children and grandchildren.

Brian recalls meeting Mark Patten more than two decades ago at Okontoe and has known Ben Selin since Ben worked under his leadership at YMCA Camp du Nord in Ely, prior to Ben meeting Jody.

Bob Boddy has been married to his wife, Kim, for over 40 years. They live on a small farm in River Falls, Wisconsin, where they raised their three children. Today, all of their kids are married, have families of their own and live nearby.

Bob and Kim are active members of a small church in Hudson, WI, where they enjoy close friendships and community life. In their free time, they love camping, riding motorcycles and spending time with family and friends. Farm life is a shared passion, with days spent raising beef cattle, chickens, goats, dogs, cats and caring for rescue horses.

Professionally, Bob spent most of his career managing projects, teams and programs for large Twin Cities companies. He retired from Medtronic in 2021 and is now “re-fired,” enjoying entrepreneurship through his consulting firm, Crossed Timbers Consulting. Along with their daughters, Bob and Kim also co-own K9-Playtime, a dog daycare and boarding business in Hudson, now celebrating 11 years.

Reflecting on his youth, Bob credits Okontoe’s summer DC camps as a deeply formative and lasting influence in his life.

Ben Selin serves as Okontoe’s Property Manager, a role where his extensive background in auto mechanics and construction is put to daily use. Whether he is maintaining the vehicle fleet, overseeing building repairs, or tending to the 80-acre grounds, Ben ensures the ministry’s physical assets are ready to welcome every guest.

His journey with Okontoe is deeply rooted; after two years of preparation at Okontoe, he and his family served as missionaries in Mongolia with World Mission Prayer League for three years.

Upon returning to the States, Ben stepped into the Director position in 2020, leading the ministry through five years of growth before transitioning to his current role in 2025.

Ben’s practical skills are matched by his love for the Lord. Alongside his wife, Jody, Ben is committed to the stewardship of Okontoe, ensuring the property remains a place where God is glorified.