On May 26, 2025, a quiet but impactful change happened in the life of Menno Haven Camp & Retreat Center when the Illinois Mennonite Camp Association Members met for their annual Business Meeting.
Upon recommendation of the Menno Haven Board at the previous year's Business Meeting, a Constitution Revision Committee was formed to look at the eligibility requirements for Association Membership. You can read a little more background about this here. This Committee took a year of prayer, discussion, and discernment, and they and the Menno Haven Board brought recommendations to the Business Meeting that took place on May 26, 2025. After discussion, the edits to the Constitution were approved. The edits broadened the eligibility from needing to be a member of The Mennonite Church to "any Christian who is active in a congregation may become a member of the Association." The edits also narrowed/more defined our Anabaptist/Mennonite faith perspective and core tenets in Article 1: Name and Purpose of the Constitution as well indicating that Association Members need to be committed to "governing interactions with others and process spiritual/theological decisions based on Article 1".
This change is significant. We are thankful to the Menno Haven Board of Directors for seeing and initiating this need, the Constitution Revision Committee for all the work going into drafting the proposed changes, and to the current Association Members for bringing the changes into reality. We as Menno Haven Staff and Board are working to do a compilation of all the edits to the official Constitution 2025 revision and to the website to spell out all the new changes that will officially take into effect in 2026. The information below reflects the 2006 revision of the Constitution.
Upon recommendation of the Menno Haven Board at the previous year's Business Meeting, a Constitution Revision Committee was formed to look at the eligibility requirements for Association Membership. You can read a little more background about this here. This Committee took a year of prayer, discussion, and discernment, and they and the Menno Haven Board brought recommendations to the Business Meeting that took place on May 26, 2025. After discussion, the edits to the Constitution were approved. The edits broadened the eligibility from needing to be a member of The Mennonite Church to "any Christian who is active in a congregation may become a member of the Association." The edits also narrowed/more defined our Anabaptist/Mennonite faith perspective and core tenets in Article 1: Name and Purpose of the Constitution as well indicating that Association Members need to be committed to "governing interactions with others and process spiritual/theological decisions based on Article 1".
This change is significant. We are thankful to the Menno Haven Board of Directors for seeing and initiating this need, the Constitution Revision Committee for all the work going into drafting the proposed changes, and to the current Association Members for bringing the changes into reality. We as Menno Haven Staff and Board are working to do a compilation of all the edits to the official Constitution 2025 revision and to the website to spell out all the new changes that will officially take into effect in 2026. The information below reflects the 2006 revision of the Constitution.
What is the IMCAWelcome . . . to a closer look at the Illinois Mennonite Camp Association (IMCA). The IMCA is a not-for profit organization made up of individual members who constitute the legal owners of Menno Haven Camp and Retreat Center. But more than that, these members have a heart and vision for the ministry at Menno Haven and have chosen to unite in advancing the purposes of the Association.
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PurposeThe purpose of the IMCA is to maintain and operate a Christian camping facility for the churches of the Illinois Mennonite
Conference, in order to serve the Church and to supplement her program of Christian nurture, worship, fellowship, and evangelism. |
Member
Any member of the Mennonite Church may become a member of the Association, upon completion of an application and one of the following in each calendar year:
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Member
Members receive several benefits from their
association membership.
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Member
Members are asked to commit to the following, as their time, skills, and
resources allow:
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Why Become an Illinois Camp Association Member?
An active membership makes it possible for Menno Haven to offer expanded programming and well-maintained facilities to guests. Members provide essential resources for the ministry.
Together members host Rally Day, an annual open house and day of celebration at Menno Haven.
In November members and their families gather for an annual retreat and business meeting, worshiping and fellowshipping
together, as well as discussion and voting on pertinent issues, and conducting other business as necessary.
As a member you will be joining in an engaging, rewarding pursuit as we work together to advance the kingdom of God.
- Volunteering time and skills
- Providing financial and material resources
- Serving as congregational representatives
- Serving on committees
- Working on special projects
Together members host Rally Day, an annual open house and day of celebration at Menno Haven.
In November members and their families gather for an annual retreat and business meeting, worshiping and fellowshipping
together, as well as discussion and voting on pertinent issues, and conducting other business as necessary.
As a member you will be joining in an engaging, rewarding pursuit as we work together to advance the kingdom of God.
Membership Details
In accordance with the constitution of the IMCA, a person must be a member of a Mennonite church to receive voting rights in the Association. Those who are not members of a Mennonite church are welcome to become IMCA members designated as “Friends of the Association” and receive all other rights and privileges of members.
Membership benefits are entitled to all persons in an immediate family living at the same address.
Membership terms are for the calendar year, January 1– December 31.
Membership benefits are entitled to all persons in an immediate family living at the same address.
Membership terms are for the calendar year, January 1– December 31.
Possible Areas of Service
- Maintenance (all areas of skilled labor)
- Food Service
- Special Cleaning Projects
- Program Planning Committee
- Association Membership Committee
- Supervise Youth or Adult Work Groups
- Fundraising
- Promote Menno Haven’s Programs & Activities in the Church
- Identify and Encourage Potential Summer Staff and Speakers
- Adopt a Special Project of Interest to You
What Do I Do To Become An IMCA Member?
You can contact the Menno Haven office by calling 815.255.4649 or emailing [email protected]. You can also print the IMCA Membership Application, fill it out and mail it to the Menno Haven office at 9301 1575 East St, Tiskilwa, IL 61368.