As Camp Director and President of Camp Haluwasa, Michael is devoted to reaching the hearts of today's youth for Christ! His past positions, family life experiences, and Christian training have prepared him for growing Haluwasa ministries. Michael and his family love Camp Haluwasa and are working to make God's Camp the best it can be. Haluwasa wants to reach as many boys and girls for the Lord. Its Christian Camping programs are designed to teach children and teens the Word of God and to share the Gospel at every event! Michael's creativity and love for the Lord is implemented into all of Haluwasa's ministries, programs and special events. Michael plans to develop many new Haluwasa programs, retreats, and youth events! He will also bring back a few past favorite Haluwasa youth events like "WHO-DUN-IT?" and others. We ask for your prayers and your support. We would love to have you learn more about our ministries, and we look forward to connecting with you! You are invited to be a part of our Haluwasa Ministry Family!
About:
Michael is the eldest son of Bill and Susan Ellwanger. Michael is blessed to have been mentored by his father, Bill, who holds the position of Haluwasa Director Emeritus & Board Trustee as he continues to serve Haluwasa for over 25 years. During this time, Michael served the Haluwasa ministry each year on Staff, managing youth programs or as a Ministry volunteer, creating all of Haluwasa's marketing and Online media as a service unto the Lord.
Michael has been married to his wonderful wife, Kristi, for over 25 years, and they have four sons who have grown up on Camp Haluwasa, helping serve in the Christian camping ministry. Being a father and a husband is a blessing, and he loves spending time with his family, making heartstrings and beautiful memories together! As an avid outdoors-man, Michael and his family love living the adventurous Salt Life! His family are all avid fishermen specializing in saltwater and freshwater fishing. Michael has many talents given by God. He is also a creative artist, guitarist and loves helping others know "How Great Is Our God!"
Michael asked the Lord into his heart at age eight and is saved by God's grace. Growing up, Michael was Baptized and became a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Bristol, PA. He attended Awana, Christian Boys Brigade, and weekly youth ministry meetings. At 13, Michael was mentored by Judy Landis and served in the Christian Puppet Ministry for three years. Michael loved serving on the "Salt & Light Christian Puppets Ministry Team," sharing the Gospel by visiting churches and schools across the tri-state region. Today, Michael continues to write custom Christian Puppet Skits and train new puppeteers at Camp Haluwasa. Kids and adults love a good puppet show here at Camp!
Throughout his life, Michael has been a part of various youth and children's ministries, including being an Awana leader, a camp program director, a youth events speaker, and more. Michael plays the Guitar and loves playing and singing all of Camp Haluwasa's favorite songs!
Michael completed a Bible-centered program at the Wisconsin Campus of Cairn University. WWC offered a Bible-centered curriculum taught in a recreational wilderness setting at the facilities of Lake Owen Camp in Cable, Wisconsin. Michael was encouraged to pursue God-centered biblical wisdom and developed a passion for lifelong Biblical learning. He continues Biblical training from multiple Churches, offering special Bible training courses.
Over the years growing up, Michael had the opportunity to serve under his father's business, AVM Presentations, Inc., creating and producing visual media, 3-D animations for Christian Business Promotion Videos, Bible educational videos, and other marketing products to help promote Christian Colleges, Camps, Churches, and Christian Schools to reach people for Christ.
Michael founded EFX Marketing & Media Design, a digital media graphic design and multi-media technology company. Michael and his team worked with U.S. transportation companies and developed their business marketing campaigns, video media presentations, and Online social media content.
In 2020, COVID shut down the ministry of Haluwasa for a year! Michael worked on his father's Bible Museum, which is currently being put together at Camp Haluwasa. In 2021, Michael became Haluwasa's Program Director and served for the next three years, managing all the camp programs and events. After 25 years of loving service, Michael's father, Bill, decided to retire as Camp Director but stay active on the Haluwasa board of directors. The search for a new Haluwasa director was on, and Michael submitted his resume and vision plan for Haluwasa.
After almost a year of the board reviewing other applicants for the position, Michael was interviewed several times before the Haluwasa board and voted in as Haluwasa Camp Director and President in the Spring of 2023. Today, Michael and a team of staff, volunteers, independent donors, and supporting churches are giving their all to see the ministries of Haluwasa grow and make a Big Impact in many lives! Haluwasa is God's Camp, and we give all the Glory to Him!
We look forward to God continuing to be faithful and steadfast in helping Haluwasa Ministries do His Will. You can be a part of the Haluwasa Ministries Family! Please reach out to Haluwasa to learn more about opportunities to use your talents for God through Christian Camping!
Camp Haluwasa makes it easy for parents to register for camp. We offer Online Camp Registration Service and a downloadable Camp Registration Form for those who wish to mail in. We are always ready to answer any camp related questions by calling our main office.
© 2023 Haluwasa, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | .
