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

Mark Ritchie
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Mark
Timber Bay Board of Directors
Reverend Paul D. Johnson-Secretary
Jean Johnson
John Prichard-Chairman & Audit Committee
Kathy Gaalswyk
Jon Ring-President/CEO
Wayne Thyren-Staff Representative
Rolf Jostad-Vice Chair & Audit Committee
Neal Gaalswyk
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
Donate: Support Brad
Email: [email protected]

Dick Plaep
Chief of Stuff
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Email: [email protected]

Jann Rhubee
Comptroller
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Email: [email protected]

Mick Thielen
IT Director
Email: [email protected]
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Mark Thyren
Director of Advancement
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Mark

Laura Tolifson
Corporate Secretary
Email: [email protected]
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Anna Whiteis
Donor Services
Email: [email protected]
Timber Bay Community Group Staff

Rachel Abele
Minnetonka Area
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Rachel

Bill Agens
Pequot Lakes Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Christina Apikelis
Brooklyn Center Area
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Christina

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]
Donate: Support Eric

Troy Bondy
Elk River Area Director
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Troy

Mark Busse
Waconia Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Riley DeLay
Brainerd Area
Email: [email protected]
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Rosie Elizondo
Elk River Area
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Ellie Felber
Minnetonka Area
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Ellie

Leah Freichels
Buffalo Area Outreach Staff
Email: [email protected]
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Matt Halseth
North Branch Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Steve Hanson
Mentors For Life
Email: [email protected]
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Stacey Harder
Bemidji Area
Email: [email protected]
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Ben Harvey
Buffalo Area
Email: [email protected]
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Wilhelmina Horn
Brainerd Area
Email: [email protected]
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Megan Hurrly
Monticello Area
Email: [email protected]
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Anna Johnson
Brainerd Area
Email: [email protected]
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Sue Jostad
Birchwood Area Volunteer
Email: [email protected]
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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
Minnetonka Work Crew Coordinator
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]y.org
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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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Judy Plaep
Emerge Staff
Email: [email protected]
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Dan Quance
Brooklyn Center Area
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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Chris Strange
Waconia 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]
Donate: Support Paul

Wayne Thyren
Brooklyn Center Area Director
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Wayne

Fes Trimble
Waconia Area
Email: [email protected]
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Paul Vorderbruggen
Buffalo Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Jeannine Warnke
Spooner Area Director
Email: [email protected]
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Olivia Whitaker
Buffalo Area Outreach Staff
Email: [email protected]
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Elizabeth White
Brooklyn Center Area
Email: [email protected]
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Timber Bay Camp Staff


Barry Green
Camp Staff
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Rachael Hanson
Camp Staff - Rae's Hope Horse Ministry
Email: [email protected]
Donate: Support Rachael/Rae's Hope

Bill Lewis
Camp Staff
Donate: Support Bill