Camp Maranatha
Camp Maranatha, Owned and operated by the Alaska District Church of the Nazarene.
Who We Are
Camp Maranatha: More Than Just a Getaway
Camp Maranatha is a 37-acre, year-round lakefront camp and retreat center, dedicated to the Glory of God, providing facilities for worship, spiritual growth, fellowship, and recreation.
We exist to build faith, hope, and love by partnering with churches, ministries, schools, nonprofits, and other groups—from youth camps to leadership retreats. Our goal is to provide a peaceful, activity-rich environment in Alaska’s Big Lake area where people of all ages can experience fellowship with God and one another.
You bring your own leaders, speakers, and programming—we provide the lodging, meals, meeting spaces, and hospitality so you can focus on your mission while we take care of the rest.
Our Story
Camp Maranatha was founded in 1964 with a vision to serve as a Nazarene camp rooted in the Word of God. Over time, it has grown into a welcoming venue for people from all walks of life, offering a Christ-centered camp experience regardless of denomination or background.
The camp’s original leadership—under the Alaska District Church of the Nazarene—established a strong foundation in faith and felt called to create a place of ministry for both the saved and the searching. Now in its fourth generation of stewardship, Camp Maranatha continues to honor that legacy.
In 2017, John and Joey Miller stepped into leadership with a renewed vision: to expand and improve Camp Maranatha’s facilities and services to reach more people. Driven by a genuine heart for the guest experience, their focus goes beyond physical upgrades—prioritizing hospitality, quality meals, comfortable lodging, and meaningful activities that make every guest feel welcomed, cared for, and spiritually refreshed.
OUR TEAM
Meet the Staff
Camp Maranatha is owned and operated by the Alaska District Church of the Nazarene and partners with a wide variety of churches, ministries, and organizations. Together, our staff provides a peaceful, faith-filled space to step away from the busyness of life and experience genuine fellowship with God and one another. With servant hearts and a shared love for camp ministry, they work year-round to care for the property, serve our guests, and create an environment where lives are changed.
Our Beliefs
At Camp Maranatha, everything we do is shaped by our faith in God and our mission to create a space where people can grow spiritually, build meaningful relationships, enjoy the beauty of creation, and experience the joy of recreation and fellowship. Here’s what we believe:
We believe in one God—who reveals Himself as Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit.
We believe that people are naturally drawn toward selfishness and brokenness and need God’s help to live fully and freely.
We believe that Jesus gave His life for everyone, and that anyone who turns to Him in faith can be forgiven, renewed, and set free.
We believe that following Jesus is a lifelong journey, and that God helps us grow through His Spirit, shaping us into people of love, purpose, and hope.
We believe that the Bible is inspired by God and helps guide us in how to live and grow in our faith.
We believe that our choices matter, and that life with God is offered to everyone—but that rejecting Him leads to eternal separation.
We believe Jesus will return one day, and that in the end, God will bring justice, healing, and renewal to all creation.
OUR CALLING
Camp Maranatha exists to create a Christ-centered environment where people of all ages can step away from the distractions of daily life to connect with God, grow in community, and experience the beauty of creation.
Rooted in the truth of Scripture and the hope of the Gospel, we welcome everyone—believers and seekers alike—into a journey of discovery, spiritual renewal, and purposeful living.
Through year-round camps, retreats, and events, Camp Maranatha offers a place for personal growth, spiritual renewal, recreation, fellowship and meaningful connection—welcoming churches, ministries, non-profits, civic and community groups to experience rest, purpose, and transformation in the peaceful setting in Big Lake, Alaska area.
OUR VISION
To provide a welcoming space that fosters authentic community, anchored in faith and guided by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. At Camp Maranatha, we offer a place where every individual—whether a lifelong believer, a seeker, or simply someone needing rest—can experience the transformative power of God’s love.
Through meaningful relationships and outdoor adventure, we cultivate lives rooted in purpose, marked by hope, and inspired to serve others. We are a year-round ministry hub where people of all ages and backgrounds encounter peace, grow spiritually, and leave renewed—ready to impact the world around them.
We invite you to be part of what God is doing at Camp Maranatha—whether through prayer, service, giving, or simply showing up—your involvement helps us create Christ-centered spaces where lives are renewed, communities are strengthened, and the Gospel is lived out in real and lasting ways.
What people are saying about Camp Maranatha
Bible Verses
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”
— Psalm 127:1
“Love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast. It is not proud or easily angered. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:4–7
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Colossians 3:23
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
John 6:27
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
John 14:6
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Jeremiah 29:11
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
