by Steve and Niki Gourley

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Fifteen years ago, during what seemed like a typical day in the office at Camp Piankatank, we received an unexpected phone call from South Korea. A kind gentleman named Myungsu No was calling to inquire about sending his daughter to summer camp in the United States. At the time, we could not have imagined that this initial conversation would grow into a meaningful and lasting friendship.

As Myungsu shared his story, we learned that as a young adult he had spent a summer working at a camp in Tennessee. Although he experienced homesickness and language barriers, he was deeply impacted by the kindness of the staff and the sense of unity he felt during times of worship. He often reflects on that experience, sharing that it gave him a glimpse of what heaven might be like—that even without a shared language, people can be united in their love for the Lord.

Inspired by that experience, Myungsu later chose to send his daughter, Hannah, to Camp Piankatank. After attending camp for several summers, Hannah brought other youth from her church in South Korea. In time, Hannah returned to serve as a summer missionary at camp, further strengthening the connection between our communities.

Through Myungsu’s leadership and vision, Camp Piankatank established a partnership with the Baptist Student Union in Seoul. Since then, the BSU has faithfully sent two to four summer missionaries each year (with the exception of 2020), enriching our camp community with their presence and perspective.

In February 2026, Myungsu invited Camp Piankatank’s Director, Steve Gourley, to visit South Korea to continue building these relationships and explore new opportunities for partnership. Steve, along with Associate Director Cal Hedeen, met with leaders from Global Vision Christian School and Taejon International Christian School to discuss the possibility of their rising 8th grade students attending a week of summer camp at Camp Piankatank this year. We are very excited for this partnership to blossom, with about 20 campers expected to attend this year.

During their visit, Steve and Cal experienced the richness of Korean culture and hospitality. They were warmly welcomed by school leaders and by Myungsu and enjoyed a variety of traditional Korean cuisine. One highlight of their trip was a visit to the Grand Greenhouse at Changgyeonggung Palace, which offered a memorable glimpse into the beauty and history of the region.

This ongoing partnership continues to be a powerful example of how God can connect people across cultures and continents through shared faith and community.

Rev. Steve and Niki Gourley serve at Camp Piankatank, a ministry of BGAV. Steve Gourley is director, and Niki Gourley is associate director for retreats and food services.

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