Deeply rooted in Christian values, I have found my faith to be my compass, guiding me through life’s journey. My early years were steeped in Christian teaching, where my participation in the AWANA program played a pivotal role in my spiritual formation. I earned my Citation Award, an achievement I hold dear, testament to the faith instilled in me at a very tender age of six. Despite trials that have tested my resilience, my commitment to God’s promise has remained steadfast, illuminating my path.
In the professional sphere, I have the honor of working as an Information Systems Engineering Manager at Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems Sector, a role that requires both technical expertise and leadership acumen. However, my role as the worship leader here at High Sierra Discipleship Camp brings me profound joy and purpose. My love for music was kindled in my early teens when I began playing the guitar. By the age of fifteen, I was playing on my church’s worship team, using music as a means to connect with the Lord and inspire those around me.
My journey with camp ministry started in 2006 when I attended the last year of AWANA Scholarship Camp at Sugar Pine. High Sierra Discipleship Camp was founded to continue the legacy, spirit, and tradition of AWANA Camp. The profound impact that this camp has had on my spiritual journey was so potent that, after my thirteenth-grade year, I was compelled to join camp staff, serving in a capacity that could profoundly shape young lives just as mine had been.
I have been inextricably linked to High Sierra Discipleship Camp ever since, committed to the mission of empowering the spiritual walk of our youth with Christ. The joy and fulfillment derived from nurturing the spiritual development of our young campers is what fuels my passion for this ministry, and being able to leverage my musical skills to enrich the worship experience for campers, cabin-leaders, and staff alike is an added blessing.
As a member of the Board of Directors, I am genuinely privileged and deeply honored to uphold the responsibilities that come with this critical role. My duties span across a range of tasks that fundamentally shape the future of our camp. From troubleshooting the complex challenges we encounter, bringing to the table innovative solutions, and imparting insightful recommendations, I hope to contribute with a view to maximizing the potential of our organization. I believe in weaving our spiritual principles into the fabric of our camp’s operations, steering our course by the light of faith and prayer, and embodying the virtues of compassion, stewardship, and servitude, as mandated by our spiritual commitment. Serving in this capacity is both an honor and a challenge, yet with the grace of the Lord guiding me, I have absolute faith in the meaningful direction we are headed.
Beyond the realms of faith, work, and camp, I have a fervent passion for travel. With a tally of ten different countries and thirty-five U.S. states under my belt, I look forward to the thrill of immersing myself in diverse cultures and enjoying their unique culinary delights. Each journey enriches my perspective, gives me opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ, and enables me to bring back a wealth of experiences to share with my community and the youth I serve.
To sum it up, my life is a tapestry of varied experiences bound by the common thread of service – to my faith, my camp, my profession, and my community. As a board member of High Sierra Discipleship Camp, I am privileged and honored to bring all these experiences to bear, to influence and guide the spiritual journey of our young campers just as mine was many years ago.
Above all, my goal at camp is simple: Disciple. Worship. Grow. Repeat.
In His Loving Service,
Zack McKinney
Board of Directors
Zack’s Favorite Verse
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. I Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)