Timber Bay History
Timber Bay, a ministry of Youth Investment Foundation, is an organization of dedicated youth workers committed to personal, ongoing mentorship with young people.
Since 1970, Timber Bay has accomplished this through a combination of camping retreats and community group gatherings throughout the upper Midwest.
From the beginning, our unified focus has been to help teens discover the emotional and spiritual healing that Christ can bring to their lives.
For youth, real impact that takes time and nurturing happens when a well-developed support system is in place. One-time events may be beneficial, but they are not nearly as effective as the teens having a safe, healthy community, where long-term mentors walk with them through their everyday lives.
Without strong support-systems like Timber Bay, teens are more likely to make poor choices that can lead to destructive behaviors and perpetual negative cycles. The mentors of Timber Bay are present to help them overcome these obstacles and grow toward positive choices and behaviors.
Timber Bay Leadership

Jon Ring
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Jon

Mark Ritchie
Email: [email protected]
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Timber Bay Board of Directors
Reverend Paul D. Johnson
Jean Johnson
John Prichard
Lisa Richards
Jon Ring
Reverend Kevin Sharpe
Wayne Thyren (Staff Representative)
Joanne Zeidler
Timber Bay Ministries is a part of the Youth Investment Foundation. A volunteer Board of Directors governs YIF and an annual audit is conducted.
Financial statements and letters of reference are available upon request.
Timber Bay Central Services Staff


Brad Lien
Chaplain
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Email: [email protected]

Dick Plaep
Chief of Stuff
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Email: [email protected]

Jann Rhubee
Comptroller
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Mick Thielen
IT Director
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Mark Thyren
Director of Advancement
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Laura Tolifson
Corporate Secretary
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Anna Whiteis
Donor Services
Timber Bay Community Group Staff

Rachel Abele
Minnetonka Area
Email: [email protected]
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Bill Agens
Pequot Lakes Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Christina Apikelis
Brooklyn Center Area
Email: [email protected]
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Dave Bennett
Brainerd Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Paul Bishop
Youth Mentor
Email: [email protected]
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Eric Boal
Minnetonka Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Troy Bondy
Elk River Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Mark Busse
Waconia Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Rosie Elizondo
Elk River Area

Ellie Felber
Minnetonka Area
Email: [email protected]
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Leah Freichels
Buffalo Area Outreach Staff
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Katrina Gallagher
Minnetonka Area Youth Outreach
Email: [email protected]
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Steve Hanson
Bemidji Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Michael Joneson
Elk River Area
Email: [email protected]
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Sue Jostad
Birchwood Area Volunteer
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Dustin Kleinenberg
Bemidji Volunteer
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Charity Knauff
Birchwood Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Kenny Kraft
Work Crew Coordinator - Minnetonka
Email: [email protected]
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Erica Koch
Brooklyn Center Area
Email: [email protected]
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Bruce Kratky
Buffalo Area Outreach Staff
Email: [email protected]
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Todd McQuown
Spirit Lake Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Dan Miles
Monticello Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Paul Miller
Emerge Director
Email: [email protected]
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Nathan Schlatter
Brooklyn Center Area
Email: [email protected]
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Ashley Smith
Pequot Lakes Area
Email: [email protected]
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Joel Svenson
Elk River Area
Email: [email protected]
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Paul Thyren
Brooklyn Center Area
Email: [email protected]
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Wayne Thyren
Brooklyn Center Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Fes Trimble
Waconia Area
Email: [email protected]
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Paul Vorderbruggen
Buffalo Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Renee Wixon
Brooklyn Center Volunteer
Email: [email protected]
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Olivia Whitaker
Buffalo Area Outreach Staff
Email: [email protected]
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Timber Bay Camp Staff

Rachael Hanson
Camp Staff - Rae's Hope Horse Ministry
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Bill Lewis
Camp Staff
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Mitch Theis
Camp Staff
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