At Pines Bible Camp in Grand Forks, a four-generation story has been unfolding.
It began with George and Erna Martens. In the 1950s and ’60s, George and Erna had a heart for reaching the children of Grand Forks for Jesus. What began with informal camp-outs at Christina Lake eventually grew into something more permanent, and George and Erna went on to found Pines Bible Camp.
Their son Abe carried that same love for children’s ministry into the next generation. He taught Sunday School and, as a young father, would spend nights at Pines when the camp was short of cabin leaders. His wife Elaine has continued that connection too—and at 80 years old, she’s still helping in the Pines kitchen.
But this isn’t simply a story about the history of Pines.
The Martens family is still showing up.
Today, Abe and Elaine’s son Lance serves on the Pines Board, while his wife Julie volunteers in the Pines kitchen. And this past summer, Lance and Julie came out to almost every evening campfire—to hear the message, watch the kids having fun and simply be part of what was happening at camp.
And all four of their children continue to be part of the story.
Luke, Johnny and Josh work full-time at OK Tire in Grand Forks—the business their grandfather Abe started and that Lance continued. Yet all three continue to make time for Pines, regularly coming out in the evenings to serve and help wherever they’re needed.
Luke is married to Sarah, Pines’ Program Director, and regularly lends a hand when something needs fixing.
Their sister Hannah has a full-time career as a hairdresser, but Pines continues to be part of her life too. She served the full spring and summer seasons on the program leadership team in both 2023 and 2025, and this past summer returned to cabin lead for a week. Like her brothers, she continues to come out and help whenever she can.
Four children. Four full-time careers. And they’re still making room for camp.
Different generations. Different roles. The same willingness to serve.
Four generations later, the Martens family isn’t simply part of the history of Pines Bible Camp.
They’re still showing up.