Kim Coursey has worked with Manitoba youth for 40 years. The long-time executive director of Red Rock Bible Camp, he has also served with Steinbach Area Youth Leaders (SAYL), Christian Camping International (CCI) and in Sunday School and Ministry Counsel roles in his local church.
A 1995 Providence graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical studies, he says he gained the tools to study the Bible at Providence, where also he enjoyed playing basketball under player-coach Dennis Hiebert.
Born in Southern California, Coursey completed his high school education in Versailles, Missouri in 1972 and subsequently enrolled in some courses at Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, Nebraska. While studying at Grace he met Rowena, a student from Steinbach, Manitoba, and the two were married in 1975. For the next few years they owned and operated a donut shop in Versailles, and Coursey also worked part-time as an electrician. But he also wanted to continue his biblical higher education.
“In 1978,” recalls Coursey, “my brother-in-law, then the director of Red Rock Bible Camp, visited us and asked us to consider taking a summer position at the camp, with the idea that I could start taking classes at Providence. We were excited to accept and saw God’s leading as we made the move and said goodbye to many friends.”
The Courseys moved to the Otterburne campus where Kim studied before he, Rowena and their growing family transitioned to full-time staff at Red Rock, about two hours to the northeast. In 1995, having taken courses as he was able, Kim graduated from Providence.
“While at Prov I gained the tools to study the Bible, as well as the value of disciplined study,” Coursey explains. “I have been given many opportunities to use these tools in my own, personal growth as a Christ-follower, as well as in our ministry at Red Rock, in our church and in the community in which we live.”
Coursey describes this past year as one of “transition.” He recently stepped down from his position at Red Rock Bible Camp because of an illness, but he and his family are trusting in God’s faithfulness “today and in all our tomorrows.”
“A verse I have chosen as my life plan is Ephesians 5:1,” he says: “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
