About Camp Amplify
Our History, Mission, Values, and Focus
Mission Statement
We create life-changing experiences through our week-long overnight summer camps where children at risk feel seen, loved, and valued. With faith as our foundation, we pour into their lives through mentorship, community, and opportunities to grow spiritually—all in a safe and joyful environment filled with laughter, shared meals, and unforgettable moments. Our mission is to inspire hope, build confidence, and plant seeds of transformation in the hearts of these incredible children.
The 4 F’s of Camp Amp
Faith
Sharing Jesus and fostering spiritual growth in all activities.
Family
When children feel safe, valued, and supported, they are more likely to engage in activities and form meaningful connections with campers and counselors.
Food
Our supportive atmosphere not only nurtures their physical health through nutritious meals and active play but also fosters their emotional and social well-being.
Fun
When camps are enjoyable, we create lasting memories, foster friendships, and encourage learning in an informal setting.
What we “Echo” throughout Camp Amplify:
Mentorship
Guiding and supporting children through positive role models and meaningful relationships.
Community Support
Building strong relationships and partnerships within the community to enhance our impact.
Compassion
Showing Jesus’ love and kindness to all children, meeting their emotional, physical and spiritual needs.
Integrity
Maintaining honesty, transparency, and accountability in our actions and decisions.
Empowerment
Encouraging personal development and leadership skills among children, counselors and staff.
Safety
We offer a secure, supportive, and nurturing environment for all participants.
The History of Camp Amplify
Chris and Lisa Tarver: Amplifying Faith, Hope, and Love Through Camp Amplify
Chris and Lisa Tarver’s story is a beautiful testament to faith in action, driven by their passion for transforming the lives of young people. Married since 1985, they have built a family rooted in love and purpose, blessed with two children and four grandchildren who inspire their commitment to making a lasting impact.
Lisa’s love for summer camps was planted early in her life, growing from joyful childhood experiences to a deeper calling when she began working at camps at just 16 years old. Meanwhile, Chris poured his energy into youth ministries like Young Life and FCA during his high school and college years. Together, they’ve always carried a shared vision: to serve and uplift young people while sharing God’s boundless love.
In 2010, that vision took on new shape as Chris and Lisa began volunteering with the football coaches and families at Mill Creek High School, where Chris served as Chaplain. It was here that their eyes were opened to the life-changing power of camps—places where children discover hope, connection, and purpose.
In 2014, Lisa’s passion for genealogy revealed a deeper connection to the North Georgia, East Tennessee, and Kentucky regions, where both their families have roots stretching back to the nation’s earliest days. This discovery only strengthened their love for these communities and their desire to serve underserved children and families in these areas.
The defining moment came in 2015 when Chris met the inspiring team at Camp Grace, whose camp model had been changing lives for over a decade. A conversation with Camp Grace founder Dave Pridemore stirred something deep within Chris’s spirit. When Dave shared how God called him to start a camp in Georgia, Chris felt God’s own voice asking him, “Why aren’t you doing this?”
The confirmation came unmistakably in 2016 when Chris heard God say, “I have children who are counting on you.” This moment of divine clarity ignited a passion that had been burning in Chris’s heart since his salvation at a Bill Glass Crusade in 1979. With this unmistakable calling, Chris and Lisa stepped out in faith and founded Camp Amplify.
Since its first camp in 2018 with just 20 campers, Camp Amplify has grown to serve hundreds of children in both Georgia and Tennessee, holding life-changing camp weeks filled with faith, family, food, and fun. Even during the challenges of 2020, God worked through Camp Amplify to host a virtual camp for 400 children. To date, they’ve impacted 271 campers through nine in-person camps—and they are just getting started.
Now commissioned missionaries through the GBMB, Chris and Lisa dedicate their lives to sharing the hope of Christ with children and families. Whether raising support, mentoring campers and counselors, or building life-giving partnerships, their mission is clear: to amplify God’s love in the lives of children who need it most.
Chris and Lisa are passionate about sharing their journey and the work of Camp Amplify with anyone who will listen. They know firsthand what God can do through hearts willing to say “yes” to His calling and welcome every opportunity to inspire others to join them.
Through faith, action, and love, Chris and Lisa continue to amplify God’s light, one child at a time—making an eternal difference in the lives of countless young people.