Deborah Nearmyer has served in ministry for 30 years in parish, school, and Catholic camping settings. Deborah is the director of Faith Formation at St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kansas. She was hired a year before the opening of St. James Academy to coordinate the development of an all-encompassing Catholic mission. Since 2005 she has served as part of the administrative team while nurturing the mission and cultivating the Catholic culture. Deborah, along with her husband, Deacon Dana, are the co-founders and co-directors of Camp Tekakwitha, an archdiocesan summer camp celebrating its 22nd year. Her joy is found in her five children and two grandchildren and in facilitating first generation encounters with Jesus for them and her community.