Staff
Darrell became Executive Director in 2003 after a long history with Camp Lake Stephens. He attended camp as a camper for six summers, worked as a summer camp Counselor for three summers during college, and served as summer Program Director for three summers during seminary. Darrell graduated from Tupelo High School in 1983, received a Business Administration degree from Mississippi College in 1987, and earned his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1993. Darrell met his wife Paula Bailey of Tupelo while working at camp and they have been married for almost 20 years. They live on the camp grounds with their three children, Joseph (15), Jack (12), and Martha (8).
Email Darrell: darrell@camplakestephens.com
Russell Casteel
Russell became Program Director in May 2007, after graduating from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Russell had been summer camp Program Director 2005-2006, as well as a counselor in 2004.
He is a 2000 graduate of Kosciusko High School and a proud Whippet. Russell is a 2004 graduate of Mississippi State University, and loves the Bullies. Russell is passionate about Christian outdoor education, and sees the importance of teaching others the importance of caring for creation within Christian community; he is also passionate about connectionalism in the UMC. Wendell, Russell’s dog, is currently perfecting the art of being a Labrador. Russell recently is married to the beautiful Callie Flowers, longtime Camp Lake Stephens staff member and University of the South graduate, and current instructor at The University of Memphis.
Email Russell: russell@camplakestephens.com
Kelli Jatta
Kelli has been employed with Camp Lake Stephens since August 2006. She was especially drawn to CLS because of the unique opportunity it afforded her to utilize and expand her youth ministry skills. She uses her skills to build the Kingdom of God as our Director of Development. Kelli has a long history of working with youth both in her local church as youth leader/program coordinator and director of the youth choir. She came to Oxford in 2002 with her two daughters, Kamri(18) and Karli (16). Kelli is recently married to her husband, Lamin Jatta. They have two dogs, Diamond & Leah. Kelli graduated from Tupelo High School in 1990, and has a degree in Marketing and English from The University of Mississippi.
Email Kelli: kelli@camplakestephens.com
Joel Fox
Our maintenance director, Joel has worked at Camp Lake Stephens full time since 1995, when he took on his current position. He began his years at CLS as a camp counselor, and now, Joel’s days are busy as he makes repairs and attends to the seemingly never-ending maintenance needs at the camp. Also, you might know Joel by the tables he made in our newly remodeled dining hall; Joel is quite the carpenter. Joel is married to his wife, Lori, and they have an 11 year-old daughter, Embry Ellen.
Email Joel: joel@camplakestephens.com
Brandon Gooch
Our grounds director, Brandon Gooch, has worked full-time at Camp Lake Stephens since Winter 2009, when he took on his current position. Gooch has been a large part of Camp Lake Stephens for most of his life, as a camper, CIT, counselor, Program Staff, Intern, and now Full Time Staff. He has done everything at camp from help build our Ropes Course, build and tend the Camp Garden, and build the goldfish pond by the store. He is a 2009 graduate of the University of Mississippi, and is also currently serving as the Youth Director at St. Andrews UMC in Oxford. He is recently married to Candace Warren, of Mantachie, a long time Camp Lake Stephens counselor and Program Staffer. They have two dogs, Desi and Gage.
Email Gooch: gooch@camplakestephens.com
