Gene Joiner
Camp Director

Since joining Camp Monroe in 2021, Gene has led the camp through an extraordinary season of expansion and vision. Under his leadership, the camp has grown from welcoming 228 campers in one summer before he got to Monroe to more than 2,000 annually. He has expanded our Day Camp program by an incredible 1,017%, added several new programs, strengthened year-round engagement opportunities, and launched Camp Monroe’s travel camps, extending the camp’s reach and impact across the region.

Gene has also expanded Camp Monroe’s mission outreach by introducing Angel Tree Camp, giving children with incarcerated parents the opportunity to attend camp for a free week each summer. This program has become a powerful part of Camp Monroe’s ministry, offering hope, belonging, and a life-changing Christian camp experience to children who need it most.

Before coming to Monroe, Gene served for 19 years as an Executive Director of Christian camps along the East Coast, including Camp Crestfield of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, Camp Krislund near State College serving three presbyteries, and Maranatha and Rockfish camps. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional skill in program development, camper recruitment, staff growth, and building strong partnerships with worshiping communities. Many of the camps he has led have grown from serving hundreds to thousands of campers within just a few years.

Before entering full-time camping ministry, Gene served as an Airborne Ranger in the United States Army and spent a year deployed in Korea. He holds a B.S. in History from Appalachian State University and previously served as the head coach for the women’s basketball team at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

Gene has been married to his wife, Anissa, for 28 years. They have four children—Hannah, Madeline, Kaleb, and Sasha, who was adopted from Ukraine. Anissa is a graduate of Campbell University.

Gene believes deeply that “camping ministry provides an experience for families to encounter God in a place set apart with radical Christian hospitality—a place where children and youth can grow and learn who they are in God’s eyes.”

Jennifer Lankford
Office Manager

If you need a question answered about Camp Monroe, Jennifer is the person you need to talk to. She handles the weddings, retreats, maintenance schedule, summer camp reservations, tours, and menus here at Camp Monroe. Jennifer has been with us for over 8 years. Overqualified for our position, Jennifer uses her MBA from St. Andrews University to manage our office, marketing, and human resources. She is excited for the tremendous growth that 2025 is offering and learns something new each day! When she’s not at camp, she supports her church as Treasurer and can usually be found curled up on the couch with a chai tea and a cat or two catching up on TV shows.

Hannah Joiner
Program Director

Hannah has spent years working at several different camps, gaining experience in everything from the dish pit to her current role as Program Director at Camp Monroe. Her passion for camp ministry runs deep, and she believes wholeheartedly in the life-changing power of camp. Hannah also loves to travel and has explored much of the world—from Europe to Southeast Asia to cross-country road trips in the U.S.—bringing a global perspective and a sense of adventure to everything she does. Most importantly, Hannah loves Jesus and is committed to helping every camper experience His love in a real and personal way. Through fun, community, and meaningful moments, she strives to make Camp Monroe a place where kids can grow in faith and leave feeling seen, known, and loved.