About This Event
Make new friends and learn something new at our annual Laugh, Learn, & Lunch program at Camp Kinard, hosted by SCLRC Coordinator of Older Adult Ministries Pegi Roberts.
Guest Speaker Pastor Jim Kinsler (pictured above), retired pastor of Lutheran Church By The Lake, (trail name, SLOWjourner) is working on the slowest known time (SKT). He started hiking the AT before he graduated high school in 1973. He reached Katahdin on August 19th in 2025, but he is still not finished! As he explains, “I only have 70 miles left to hike, and there is no rush because the erosion of the Appalachian mountains is even slower than I am.”
Jim's presentation inspires and entertains, as he shares stories and experiences that will make you laugh and cry. The event will include pictures from his hike and much more, including:
- Faith Stories, God’s presence & provision, experienced in the “Cathedral of Creation”,
- Memorable trail names (and even more memorable people behind them),
- Hiking Gear (new and old),
- “Do’s and Don’t’s” of the trail (learned the hard way),
- “Hiker Fuel” (When you eat on trail it is fuel that keeps you walking; when you hit town, what you eat becomes a feast to keep you smiling,).
- Life Lessons learned in the “Classroom Without Walls”.
The program for the day includes a morning session with a devotion led by South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers' staff and guest presenters. Bring a friend or register as a group and join us for this fun event!
SPEAKER BIO:
Rev. Dr.James F. Kinsler is an individual with many nicknames. He was called "Jimmy" by his family and friends while growing up. (Maybe because he remains a big kid in spirit, his wife Martha,still calls him by this name.) “LEGS” is the nickname he was given at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary because of his skinny legs. (if you see him in shorts, you will know why).
During his parish ministry of 42 years, (Trinity Lutheran, Elloree SC; First Lutheran, Parkersburg WV; Lutheran Church By The Lake, McCormick SC) he was referred to as “Pastor Jim”. This is a title and name he cherishes, reflecting his “shepherd’s heart.”
After completing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Family Ministry in 2010 from Asbury Theological Seminary, Dr. Kinsler, like a new jacket, is a nickname he is seeing how it fits. Upon his retirement in 2022 he was given the Trail Name, “SLOWjourner,” by his fellow Appalachian Trail hikers. This moniker fits him well, because he started hiking the AT in 1973, and as of 2025 he is not finished YET. But the name he is most proud of is “POP POP,” given to him by his nine grandchildren. It stands for, Positive Older Person, Providing Perspective On Problems & Possibilities!
About This Event
Make new friends and learn something new at our annual Laugh, Learn, & Lunch program at Camp Kinard, hosted by SCLRC Coordinator of Older Adult Ministries Pegi Roberts.
Guest Speaker Pastor Jim Kinsler (pictured above), retired pastor of Lutheran Church By The Lake, (trail name, SLOWjourner) is working on the slowest known time (SKT). He started hiking the AT before he graduated high school in 1973. He reached Katahdin on August 19th in 2025, but he is still not finished! As he explains, “I only have 70 miles left to hike, and there is no rush because the erosion of the Appalachian mountains is even slower than I am.”
Jim's presentation inspires and entertains, as he shares stories and experiences that will make you laugh and cry. The event will include pictures from his hike and much more, including:
- Faith Stories, God’s presence & provision, experienced in the “Cathedral of Creation”,
- Memorable trail names (and even more memorable people behind them),
- Hiking Gear (new and old),
- “Do’s and Don’t’s” of the trail (learned the hard way),
- “Hiker Fuel” (When you eat on trail it is fuel that keeps you walking; when you hit town, what you eat becomes a feast to keep you smiling,).
- Life Lessons learned in the “Classroom Without Walls”.
The program for the day includes a morning session with a devotion led by South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers' staff and guest presenters. Bring a friend or register as a group and join us for this fun event!
SPEAKER BIO:
Rev. Dr.James F. Kinsler is an individual with many nicknames. He was called "Jimmy" by his family and friends while growing up. (Maybe because he remains a big kid in spirit, his wife Martha,still calls him by this name.) “LEGS” is the nickname he was given at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary because of his skinny legs. (if you see him in shorts, you will know why).
During his parish ministry of 42 years, (Trinity Lutheran, Elloree SC; First Lutheran, Parkersburg WV; Lutheran Church By The Lake, McCormick SC) he was referred to as “Pastor Jim”. This is a title and name he cherishes, reflecting his “shepherd’s heart.”
After completing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Family Ministry in 2010 from Asbury Theological Seminary, Dr. Kinsler, like a new jacket, is a nickname he is seeing how it fits. Upon his retirement in 2022 he was given the Trail Name, “SLOWjourner,” by his fellow Appalachian Trail hikers. This moniker fits him well, because he started hiking the AT in 1973, and as of 2025 he is not finished YET. But the name he is most proud of is “POP POP,” given to him by his nine grandchildren. It stands for, Positive Older Person, Providing Perspective On Problems & Possibilities!