Our Story

Toah Nipi is a refuge within the beauty of creation, offering individuals and groups a space to encounter Jesus and be renewed

A Place of Rich History

Toah Nipi serves as a gathering place for individuals and groups to reflect and experience the goodness of God amidst the beauty of His creation. With a rich history as a previous haven for indigenous peoples, the Melville & Torvela families, Trinitarian Congregational Church of Wayland, and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

In 2022, a new vision emerged to guide Toah Nipi into the next chapter as an independent Christian camping and retreat center, dedicated to serving students, families, and churches by fostering an environment for deeper connections with God and one another. Come experience Toah Nipi with your team or family.

The Toah Nipi Story js-hero-timeline

  • 1930s

    1930s

    A neighbor on a dugout canoe fished out from the bottom of the pond.

  • 1940s

    1940s

    Generations of Finnish immigrants enjoying the pond after settlement in New England.

  • 1979

    David Melville acquires the property for logging purposes, then decides it would be better enjoyed as a retreat center. He named only a shed for himself, and gave the camp its current name, Toah Nipi.

  • 1980

    1980

    Toah Nipi is given to David Melville’s church, Trinitarian Congregational in Wayland, Massachusetts. Church members and IV alums, Ernie and Lauraine Bauder (center and far right), begin stewarding the camp as its first directors.

  • 1990s

    1990s

    The camp undergoes multiple construction and renovation projects to increase facilities and housing supply for guest groups.

  • 1993

    1993

    Toah Nipi is gifted to InterVarsity Christian Ministries.

  • 2024

    2024

    InterVarsity gifts Toah Nipi to a new board of trustees, making the camp an independent, Christian camping and retreat center.

    What began as a gift of God’s creation to indigenous peoples, continues today as a gift to the Toah Nipi board, staff, and guests. Retaining our mission to grow and steward the camp as a place to meet God and be renewed.

Our Statement of Faith

We believe in:

The only true God, the almighty Creator of all things, existing eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—full of love and glory.

The unique divine inspiration, entire trustworthiness and authority of the Bible.

The value and dignity of all people: created in God's image to live in love and holiness, but alienated from God and each other because of our sin and guilt, and justly subject to God’s wrath.

Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine, who lived as a perfect example, who assumed the judgment due sinners by dying in our place, and who was bodily raised from the dead and ascended as Savior and Lord.

Justification by God's grace to all who repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

The indwelling presence and transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who gives to all believers a new life and a new calling to obedient service.

The unity of all believers in Jesus Christ, manifest in worshiping and witnessing churches making disciples throughout the world.

The victorious reign and future personal return of Jesus Christ, who will judge all people with justice and mercy, giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation but receiving the redeemed into eternal life.

To God be glory forever.

Our Core Values

  • As Christians, we recognize that we will always fall short of the perfection that is displayed in the example of the Messiah. Dwelling constantly in a state of self reflection with an attitude of improvement is essential for drawing closer to Christ each day. Toah Nipi strives to celebrate when Jesus is evident in our actions, all the while continuing to grow in Christ through reflection, curiosity, authenticity, accountability, personal sacrifice and professional development. Holding this mindset at an organizational level and also in the personal lives of our staff is essential to the environment that Toah Nipi wishes to embody. (Psalm 143)

  • In a space where individuals and groups come to find refuge and rest, providing a hospitable environment is crucial to guests feeling welcomed and at home. Often, in order for the spiritual needs of humans to be met, their physical needs must first be met. Going the extra mile, offering quality meals, a clean environment, and accommodation for additional group needs is part of the service Toah Nipi believes is Christlike and intrinsic to who Toah Nipi is as an organization. (Romans 12) 

  • We believe that as an organization we have a responsibility to pursue efforts to increase sustainability in fulfillment of our calling as stewards of the Earth and servants to others. The ministry of Jesus was directed towards justice through relationships. In the pursuit of bettering the quality of life for all humans, increasing equity, promoting economic security for all, and bettering the environment, change can be most effectively enacted through building relationships and extending the love of Jesus to all people. Further, Jesus’ ministry was expansive—reaching all who were willing to hear—regardless of age, ethnicity, culture, social status, or gender. In a similar manner, Toah Nipi wishes to foster an inclusive environment that is welcoming to all groups across different ministries, organizations, denominations, churches, and cultures. (Micah 6:8 & Psalm 24:1) 

  • Historically, Toah Nipi has belonged to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship as a space for campus retreats and student discipleship. As a result, Toah Nipi’s culture has been shaped—and will continue to be shaped—by students that enter through its doors. Toah Nipi will continue to provide Christ centered retreats for campus involved organizations, collaborating with campus ministries to facilitate life transforming experiences through the combination of the Gospel, creation, and fun. (John 17)  

View Our Sustainability Newsletter

Our Team

Introducing our team at Toah Nipi Christian Retreat Center. Though the organization is new, the faces will remain familiar. We’re here to help and support you as you plan and enjoy your retreat.

  • Saul De La Guardia Chairman of the Board
    Senior Partner
    Riemer Braunstein LLP, Boston, MA

    Scott Mohr, Treasurer
    Retired, former Barclays Managing
    Director, Investment Banking,
    Greenwich, CT

    Becky Lockhart
    Sales Manager, Chaucer Foods LLC,
    Forest Grove, OR

    Finny Kiruvilla
    Chief Investment Officer, Eventide
    Asset Management; Founder,
    Chairman of the Board Sattler College,
    Boston, MA

    Jeff Barneson
    Faculty Ministry, InterVarsity Christian
    Fellowship, Cambridge, MA

    Sarah Cowan-Johnson
    Ministry Trainer, Consultant,
    Evangelical Covenant Church and
    InterVarsity Ministries

    Matt Mascioli
    Co-Founder & Principal Fiat Lux
    Partners; Previously InterVarsity staff

    Paul Griffiths
    Principal at Sannasig & Angel
    Investor at SeaAhead, Boston, MA

    Greg Hodgson
    Executive Director, Toah Nipi Christian
    Retreat Center - 2002 to Present

Meet Our Staff

  • Greg Hodgson

    Greg Hodgson

    Executive Director

  • Elisha Hodgson

    Elisha Hodgson

    Associate Director

  • Elizabeth Brown

    Elizabeth Brown

    Office Administrator

  • Mindy Niemela

    Mindy Niemela

    Kitchen Coordinator

  • Crystal Baldwin

    Crystal Baldwin

    Housekeeping

  • Bill Burt

    Bill Burt

    Facilities Coordinator

  • Arianne Miller

    Executive Chef