Meet the NovusWay Board
The NovusWay Board is comprised of 15 board members and 4 Bishops. These individuals all serve on the board and bring unique perspectives and gifts. What unites them all is a love for the vision of NovusWay and camping ministry. Throughout 2026, we will feature two members each month and share how they support the ministry of NovusWay in their board service. This month we introduce Ranate′ Patrick and Jason Lee.
Ranate′ Patrick, NovusWay Board President, board service 2020-2026
Tell us about you and your family: David Patrick and I have been married for 32 years. We have 2 sons, William (26) and Matthew (21). We live in Snellville, GA and worship at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lilburn, GA. In addition to NovusWay, I am involved with Scouting America, as the Eagle coach for our Troop where our sons both earned their Eagle ranks. We are involved with various ministries at our church, and love to spend time with family.
What is your history with NovusWay? I have been a C³ARE Leader at Lutheridge for 30 years and our sons have both served as Lutheridge counselors after coming to camp every year of their lives. In 1996 we were invited to an information meeting and became RidgeRock Builders. We’ve been donors to the ministry ever since, supporting the vision for Lutheranch, and each of the various capital campaigns including the most recent Lutheridge 75th Birthday Capital Campaign. My family is passionate and committed to ministry with youth and young adults. Scrap Camp, a retreat that meets at Lutheridge twice a year, is one of my favorite get-aways, and I am still an active participant.
What is your goal for your board service? I attended my first board meeting in March of 2020 on Zoom, when we decided to close camp. I realized early that my purpose on the board was to be a voice for people who are passionate about the programs that happen at our camps. We have faced many heartbreaking challenges and celebrated milestones. Skills and knowledge I have developed from almost every area of my life has been used during these last 5 and ¾ years, and I have learned some new things along the way. In the time I have left on the board I will be as supportive as I can be, and provide a strong partnership with our new CEO, Lauri SoJourner. There is a lot of hope and an exciting future ahead for all our camps.
If you could be any kind of animal, which would you be? My favorite animal is the giraffe. It is tall and graceful, and I think it would be amazing to see the world from that perspective.
Jason Lee, NovusWay Board Vice President, board service 2023-2029
Tell us about you and your family:
I am the pastor at St. Philip Lutheran in Myrtle Beach, SC. We’ve been here nearly 12 years and thoroughly enjoy living the beach life. I met my wife, Dana, at Lutheridge, and this year we will celebrate our 20th anniversary. We have two children: Jonah (14) and Anna (12), who have both attended camp for many summers. This year, we also gained a fifth family member, Julia, who is an exchange student from Spain.
What is your history with NovusWay?
I started attending Lutheridge as a PA camper and was in a cabin up through high school. I later served on staff in numerous ways – counselor, support staff, and Area Director. Dana and I have led C3ARE for years, we attended Family Camp when our kids were younger, and send our kids to a week of camp (sometimes two!) each summer. This past year, I received my 30 year patch!
What is your goal for your board service?
As a Board Member, my goal is to help all of our camps offer the kinds of experiences that shaped me. Quite simply, camp is why I am who I am, and I want others to have that sense of community, love, and God’s presence that I knew as a camper, counselor, and participant. My time at camp has shaped me, and I hope others can be shaped in their lives and vocations. Currently, we are poised for strong, faithful, wonderful ministry at all the sites, and I want to keep the momentum going.
What is your favorite line from any movie?
There are too many – most of which I use to joke with friends or bring back fond memories when I hear them. “How do you like them apples?” “Are you too good for your home?” “Inconceivable!” But, I guess I will go with something deeper from the Shawshank Redemption – “Get busy living, or get busy dying.” It’s a line about getting out into the world and trying to enjoy all that we have been given. Even when things are uncertain or confining, we can choose to see the life all around us.
