Steven and Niki Gourley have been named director and co-director of Camp Piankatank, Virginia Baptists’ camp on the Piankatank River near Hartfield.
Steven Gourley is a recent graduate of Old Dominion University in Hampton and studied at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
Niki Gourley will graduate from Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky., in May with a degree in Christian education.
Camp Piankatank has played a pivotal role in both their lives. Steven grew up in Tabernacle Baptist Church in Newport News, where he was active in the Royal Ambassador program at his church. It was through RAs that he first became acquainted with Camp Piankatank at age 9. By the time he was 15, he spent a summer working at the camp as an assistant counselor.
Later, in the summer of 2003, he met Niki at Piankatank, where the Jupiter, Fla., native was serving as a camp counselor. Last year the two married at the outdoor worship area at Pianktank. Former camp director Jeremy Jackson performed the ceremony.
“We love camping ministry and love Camp Piankatank,” said Steven. “We feel that this is the perfect place for us to serve.”
Special to the Herald