Board of Directors

Julie Eberbach has 15 years of experience in non-profit management; and, as a former moderator and board member of the Iowa Conference in 2004-2007, has a strong sense of the "faith community".  Over the past ten years, as project director for the Iowa Institute for Community Alliances, Ms. Eberbach has brought the institute from an agency that had a operating budget of approximately $70,000 to an agency that now operates on just shy of a $500,000 budget and manages $2.5 million dollars of "pass-through" funds that help to support the homeless service providers in Iowa.  Ms. Eberbach possesses the ability to inspire talented people to action; and she has a vision of what is possible and the passion to see it through.  

Rev. Dennis Eastin - Vice Chair

Rev. Dennis Eastin is a long time member of the United Church of Christ; who was raised in a local congregation in Clay Center, Nebraska.  He graduated from Doane College, a UCC related school, in Crete, NE with a BA in History/Political Science in 1985.  He went on to receive his Master of Divinity in 1990 from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  Rev. Eastin has serviced churches in Iowa, at Hampton First Congregational UCC, St. John's UCC in rural Nashua and First UCC in rural Clarksville; in Bem Missouri; and in Fremont, Nebraska.  He is currently in his eleventh year as pastor at Ankeny United Church of Christ in Ankeny, Iowa.

Jane E. Meyer is a cradle UCCer who has had the privilege to serve and benefit from many opportunities for ministry as she grew up a preacher's kid, taught Sunday school, planned annual meetings for the Iowa Conference UCC and the great Iowa synod meeting of the national church, and also served elected terms on the national Office for Church Life and Leadership and Nominating Committee.

In her youth, Ms. Meyer always went to summer camp and youth events at Blake's Grove (also known as Grandma and Grandpa's), Pilgrim Heights and trip camp locations.

Dr. Secor is a practicing physician in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  The Secor family has a long history of involvement with and support of Pilgrim Heights Camp & Retreat Center.  Jan was part of the early team of individuals dedicated to saving the property and preserving the legacy of Pilgrim Heights at the time the Iowa Conference was moving towards divestiture. 

Jan has been an active volunteer leader for Pilgrim Heights as a camp dean and counselor, and provided financial support to Our Sacred Space as our new organization became a reality.  She shares our belief in the importance of Pilgrim Heights as a sacred space and shares in our vision for growth. 

Rebecca Stout

Rebecca Stout is a practicing attorney currently employed in family law with a non-profit agency supporting women and families in crisis and also has an affinity for policy issues.  She has volunteered her time and legal expertise for the benefit of Our Sacred Space, Inc. and is willing and enthusiastic to serve in the capacity of board member.

Rebecca has experience in financial management and has agreed to serve on the Finance and Budget Management Committee/Team.  She has experience from working as a team member at Planned Parenthood's Educational Resource Center, managing projects and people and serving the public with courtesy and professionalism.

Tony Wilson is a trainer, facilitator and life coach who works extensively with Health Realization/3 Principles training.  He is currently self-employed, but has earned the respect of many as he worked years as an educator in the public school and private sectors, served in the Iowa Guard, and helped families and organizations to lead healthy and balanced lives.  He has spent time at Pilgrim Heights, finding a sacred space that he is enthusiastic to share with others. 

Tony has experience in many programmatic and planning fuctions.  He looks forward to the opportunities for enhancing both his and our outreach to new individuals and groups with Pilgrim Heights Camp & Retreat Center as the focal point.