Pocono Plateau Staff Spotlight
As the summer winds down and we prepare to say goodbye to Rev. Carmen O’Shea as the director of Pocono Plateau, and welcome to Rev. Jared Stoltzfus, we want to pause to celebrate their ministry and giftedness. With grateful hearts we give thanks to God for Carmen’s faithful ministry among us. For five year’s she has served as the director of Pocono Plateau while her husband, Brian O’Shea, served as Pocono Plateaus’ facility manager. Both Carmen and Brian poured their lives into the ministry at the Plateau, and we are deeply thankful for the gifts they shared with Pocono Plateau and the wider community.
During Carmen’s tenure, day camp was successfully launched along with Forrest School and Homeschool programs. Carmen expanded discipleship and spiritual development opportunities, increased community connections, improved site facilities and developed a long-range strategic plan for Pocono Plateau. Her positive impact will last well into the future.
Rev Jared Stoltzfus, the new Director at Pocono Plateau, shares, “I am deeply grateful for the countless hours of faithful service that Carmen has given. Her tireless work has built a firm foundation that will continue to help the ministry grow and flourish as we move into the years ahead.”
Executive Director of Connectional Ministries, Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm shares: Words cannot adequately express our deep appreciation for Carmen’s leadership of Pocono Plateau. Carmen connected Pocono Plateau with the community through day camp, Forrest School and homeschool programs, and through her leadership, the spiritual, missional and financial footprint of camp & retreat ministries has flourished. We rejoice that Carmen will continue to work with the wider EPA Accounting Team and the Camp and Retreat Ministry team in her new role as Camp and Retreat Ministries Finance Coordinator starting Aug. 31.
We also welcome our new Director of Pocono Plateau: REV. JARED STOLTZFUS
Jared joined Pocono Plateaus’ team in the Summer of 2026. Prior to becoming the Director of Pocono Plateau, Jared served as a senior pastor at St. Mark’s UMC in Mt. Joy, PA. He also served as Chair of the EPA Camp and Retreat Ministry Board and worked closely with Carmen as the Chair of Pocono Plateau’s Site Committee, served as pastor in three other churches, and as a youth pastor in two churches. Jared was also COO for a non-profit prison ministry. Jared has been involved with the Plateau for many years and is excited to serve as the Director.
Executive Director of Connectional Ministries, Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm shares: Truly God has been at work in the transition process and in the call of Jared Stoltzfus to serve as the new Director of Pocono Plateau. Jared brings a passion for Camp and Retreat Ministry and for transformational discipleship. Please join me in welcoming Jared in this new role.
If you would like to connect with Jared, he can be reached at: director@poconoplateau.org
Author of All our Days we thank you for the ministry of these, your beloved children, and pray your blessings on them as they faithfully move into this new season of ministry in our midst.