Jerusalem Greer, a well-known author, evangelist, and leader in the Episcopal Church’s formation, evangelism and agrarian ministry communities, has been appointed interim director at Procter Center. She will begin her new role, in which she will work with staff and diocesan leaders to lead the camp and conference center’s programs and operations, on November 1.
“I am delighted to welcome Jerusalem to Procter,” the Rev. Jason Oden, the diocese’s canon for formation and new Episcopal communities, said. “Her long experience in camp ministry and evangelism will be invaluable as we continue deepening Procter’s ministry in and with our diocese.”
Greer previously served as manager for evangelism and discipleship on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s staff, and will remain a consultant for the churchwide staff through 2024. She moved to the Procter farm with her husband, Nathan, at the beginning of October, and will serve as Procter’s director for at least nine months, overseeing planning for the 2024 camp season and ensuring that the farm is ready for the growing season. Nathan Greer will initially be the camp’s resident volunteer.
“One of the things that excited Nathan and me was the opportunity to be a part of a local community that is trying to live into the call to evangelism and agrarian ministry,” Jerusalem said. “We are camp people.”
The couple—Nathan is an experienced farm steward—began discerning the call to Procter last summer, when “doors opened to consider a move” from the farm in New Jersey where they had lived for the last year. Prior to her work on the Presiding Bishop’s staff, Jerusalem served for five years as minister for formation and connection at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Conway in her native Arkansas.
The Greers visited Procter’s Silver Camp in early August, and “really loved the openness, this fresh-start spirit in this diocese that has such a rich tradition,” Jerusalem said.
Among her first priorities is working with Procter’s staff to plan programs that will strengthen Procter’s relationships with congregations across the diocese. She envisions a pop-up Advent event with foraging, roasted marshmallows, and Advent wreath-making, as well as retreats and other events led by people from the diocese and the wider church.
“Camp and conference centers are such beautiful places for formation and evangelism, and for agrarian ministry,” Jerusalem said. “At a place like Procter, we can offer equality of experience to everyone.”
Most of all, she said, she hopes to help Procter’s 1300 acres become a gathering place for the entire diocese.
“The thing that everyone has in common is that people connect to God outdoors. What better place to come as a community, as a diocese?”
Jerusalem Greer can be reached at jgreer@proctercenter.org.
