Our Story

Mario and Emily Chadinha’s burden for Camp Promised Land grew out of their own experiences with the life-changing impact of Christian camp and their years of serving in ministry.

Mario surrendered his life to the Lord in 2008 and felt called to preach the following year. In 2010, the Lord placed on his heart the desire to one day begin a camp of his own. In the summer of 2021, through Scripture, he became convinced it was time to pursue that calling.

Mario and Emily met at Camp Victory in Somerset, Kentucky, in 2013 and married on September 4, 2015. Together, they served at Highland Hills Baptist Church in Michigan and later at Silvery Lane Baptist Church, where they ministered to young people and families. Their experience in youth ministry strengthened their shared burden to reach the next generation with the Gospel.

Their vision for Camp Promised Land is to provide a place where young people can hear God's Word, grow in their relationship with Christ, and make decisions that impact their lives for eternity.

Their prayer is that God will use Camp Promised Land to bring about the same life-changing work in the lives of others that He has done in their own.

  • Mario Chadinha Jr

    Mario was born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and later moved to Michigan, where his father pastored Highland Hills Baptist Church. Although raised in a pastor’s home and saved at an early age, Mario surrendered his life fully to the Lord on October 5, 2005. God used the camp ministry to renew his walk with Christ and shape his calling to serve.

    Mario spent nine summers serving at Camp Victory, where he felt called to preach in 2009 and to become a camp director in 2010. After attending Grace Baptist College for one year, he continued his biblical education at Mid-State Baptist College for five years, received his ordination, and served as assistant pastor at his father’s church.

    Mario and his wife, Emily, later served at Silvery Lane Baptist Church under Pastor Chris Staub before pursuing the ministry of Camp Promised Land. Today, Mario serves as President of the nonprofit, leading its vision to reach young people with the Gospel, encourage spiritual growth, and provide opportunities for life-changing decisions through camp ministry.

  • Emily Chadinha

    Emily Chadinha was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, where she grew up in a faithful church family. Through regular church services, Vacation Bible School, camps, and teen activities, she developed a love for the church and its ministry from an early age. Emily trusted Christ as her Savior when she was young and, on November 11, 2009, felt the Lord calling her to serve alongside a preacher as his wife.

    In 2013, Emily met Mario at Camp Victory in Somerset, Kentucky. They married on September 4, 2015, and she served alongside him in youth ministry and other church ministries for eight years. Through these experiences, Emily developed a heart for young people and a desire to see lives changed through the Gospel.

    Today, Emily serves as Secretary of Camp Promised Land, helping lead the planning and development of the ministry alongside her husband. She is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to grow in their faith, build meaningful relationships, and experience the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.

Our Ministry in Action

Bringing Camp to churches

Since launching the Promised Land Experience (PLX) in May 2026, Camp Promised Land has been bringing Christ-centered camp experiences directly to churches and their communities. Through organized games, Bible preaching, singing, and fellowship, we partner with local churches to reach young people with the Gospel and encourage spiritual growth.

Through our first eight events, we have served more than 150 young people and seen 19 professions of faith.

Each event is an opportunity to share God's Word, and encourage young people to make decisions that will impact their lives for eternity.

As the ministry grows, we are prayerfully working toward a permanent camp location that will allow us to expand these opportunities and serve even more young people in the years ahead.