Our People
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Matthew Gwinner, Interim DirectorMatthew and his wife, Angela joined the Tanako team in March 2021.
Matthew has been blessed with a wide range of ministry training and experience. Matthew has 7 years of full-time camp and retreat leadership experience, combined with over 10 years of full-time youth ministry experience, 14 years of supervisory experience in business and office environments, and many more years of volunteer work in camping, children’s, youth, and family ministry. The specific duties among these experiences include supervising staff/employees, maintenance, kitchen and food service, scheduling of groups and staff, phone contact and ministry, retreat and event planning, and much more. Matthew graduated and received his B.A. Degree in Christian Education with a Missions minor at Oral Roberts University. Matthew is aware that in a camp setting, it is often all hands on deck, and he enjoys “leading from the front” and by example. Matthew's strengths include a gifting and love for building relationships with people of all ages and backgrounds, including church youth and children’s groups, at-risk youth and families, and college-age groups and individuals. He also works well with small groups in the areas of discipleship and evangelism, and has a tremendous love for missions and Christian Camping. Matthew's hobbies include sports, hiking and other outdoor activities, reading, traveling, and spending time with family. Angela Gwinner, Office Manager Matthew's wife Angela is our Camp Tanako Office Manager with 30 years of Administrative Assistant, office, customer service, and Youth and Children's ministry experience with two Associate Degrees at Toccoa Falls College majoring in Youth Ministry and Thompson Institute in Business. They have two children, Hannah and Matthew, Jr. Hannah graduated and received her Bachelor's Degree in Dance Performance at Oral Roberts University. Hannah is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Manager. She also is married to her husband Jake of 8 years. Matthew, Jr. graduated and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Wichita State University in Acting Performance. He performs in plays and musicals in Oklahoma and Kansas. |
Board of Trustees
Camp Tanako is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees of fifteen to twenty-one members. Trustees are nominated by the Board itself and ratified by the Arkansas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, serving four-year terms in covenant with the Conference and The Book of Discipline. The Board sets the camp's strategic direction, oversees operations, and stewards the property held in trust for the Annual Conference.
