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 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

    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