LIFT STAFF David Sonju, ThM (Dallas Theological Seminary), is the LIFT director. He is passionate about training young people to be effective Christian leaders through biblical and theological studies and a range of outdoor and cross-cultural experiences. David is a gifted teacher and has developed the majority of the LIFT curriculum. Through the many classes he teaches each week, David is privileged to see God work in the lives of his students as their eyes are opened and their understanding of God's Word grows. David also knows the value of using the surrounding Adirondack Mountains as another venue for teaching. Having hiked the entire Appalachian Trail after himself graduating from a semester of LIFT, David has spent months living in the wilderness, learning lessons that can't easily be learned in a typical classroom. Now a certified Wilderness First Responder, David brings an added measure of safety to the weekly day-hikes and the occasional three- or four-day backpacking trips each semester. David recently married Joy, a graduate of LIFT 9, who shares his interests in the outdoors and theology. They are thoroughly enjoying married life as they work together with LIFT, and they feel blessed to be spending the first of their years together living and working in such a beautiful environment.

Joy Sonju, MA Biblical Studies (Wheaton Graduate School), is David's wife as well as assistant. She grew up going to CAMP-of-the-WOODS with her family, and after working several summers on staff, she participated in LIFT after graduating from Houghton College. God used that time to change her focus from Biology to Biblical Studies, and following a three-month missions trip in Tanzania, East Africa, she entered Wheaton Graduate School in Illinois. Joy loves learning about the Bible and the study of theology, and enjoys the opportunity LIFT gives her to share some of what she's learned with the students. Much of Joy's time is spent in the LIFT office, taking care of the many administrative duties that are part of running such a busy, multi-faceted program. The mission trips usually demand a good bit of time each semester with all of the necessary preparations. She jumps at the chance to go on the hikes or help out in the outreach projects, knowing how important those experiences are to personal and community growth. Joy and David also enjoy opening up their home to the LIFT students, inviting them over for meals or just to relax with friends.