ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

Knox Creek is a non-profit founded in 2020 by a group of friends who shared a collective vision to build a quality camping and retreat facility in Upstate South Carolina. We exist to be a place where everyone can discover the Joy of the Gospel and experience true belonging in the family of God

OUR TEAM

WHAT'S NEXT AT KNOX CREEK?

OUR MISSION

To ensure that every kid has a chance to discover the Joy of the Gospel.

OUR VISION

To create a quality and service driven camping and retreat facility in Upstate South Carolina

OUR GOAL

To provide a platform for people of all ages to encounter the person and character of Jesus Christ.

OUR STORY

The story of Knox Creek begins with Kep's grandfather, Glenn Thrift. On long afternoons driving across the pastures to feed the cows, Papa would share how he dreamed of building a Christian camp on the farm. A place God could use to introduce thousands of kids to Jesus.

As that vision took root, Glenn and Lillian opened their lake house with a servant's heart and a Southern hospitality. It became a second home for the local church, hosting Baptist Women in Ministry retreats, choir retreats, and missionaries back on furlough. The next generation carried the legacy forward, welcoming even more churches, youth groups, and campus ministry students from Clemson.

In 2020, as the third generation came of age, Knox Creek officially opened as a church-centered camp and retreat center. Hoping to transform Papa's dream into a reality. Since then, Knox Creek has hosted more than 125 retreats and reached over 3,500 young people.

DUSTY’S STORY

We were blessed to be able to host a retreat for Clemson Greek IV student-leaders at the beautiful property in the Upstate. This was a great opportunity for our staff and student-leadership team to gather in August before the start of another school year. We had an amazing time reconnecting at the end of the summer, playing on the lake, sharing meals, and spending time together in Scripture and prayer in preparation for a year of serving together on campus. Being so close to Clemson made it super-convenient to enjoy a change of scenery together in a beautiful place. We were even able to drive back to Clemson on Sunday morning to worship together at a local church and easily return to finish our retreat.These retreats are a pivotal time for campus ministry staff and students to get away together to connect with God and each other. In all my years as a campus minister, these are some of my favorite memories with students. I am so thankful for the hospitality to allow groups like Greek IV to host retreats in the Upstate.

Dusty Harrison
Regional Greek Ministry Coordinator
InterVarsity Christian FellowshipCarolinas Region

ANNIE’S STORY

Last winter we were able to bring our Juniors and Seniors to the retreat at Knox Creek for a weekend of adventure and team building. These student leaders loved the opportunity to experience new things and get out of their comfort zone in this beautiful place. Over the weekend we were able to utilize the facilities in unique ways to create memorable experiences for our group. Our leaders learned what it means to be challenged as a leader and grow in order to help grow others. This space is only a couple of hours away from metro-Atlanta, where our church is located, which made it a perfect place to retreat to for a few days. We loved our trip and are thankful we had the opportunity to be part of what’s happening here!

Rev. Annie Sutton
Youth Pastor
Johns Creek Baptist Church

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kep Pate

Founder & President

Kep and his wife, Sara Bailey, met at Clemson University and currently live in Raleigh, NC, with their two kids. Kep is a Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST and previously served as a youth pastor for over 15 years.

Kep’s grandfather had a dream to build a Christian camp on the farm. When Kep was a young child, he would go out to feed the cows with Papa, who would talk about how God would one day use this place to introduce thousands of kids to Jesus, casting the vision for what would one day become Knox Creek.

Richard Eason

TREASURER

A native Georgian is a retired Community Bank Executive as well as retired Church Administrator. A longtime member of the Johns Creek Baptist Church and served on numerous committees, Church Treasurer, and Deacon Emeritus. In earlier years, has served in leadership positions of the Church’s Camp program. As a Vietnam Veteran, now resides in Jefferson, Georgia.

Tony Bligh

SECRETARY

Tony Bligh is originally from Madison, GA and now resides in Suwanee, GA with his wife Laura; they have two grown sons Matthew (married to Samantha) and Steven. Tony and Laura currently attend John’s Creek Baptist Church where they met Kep Pate and began to learn about his passion for church camp. Throughout his church life, Tony has served in many capacities at various churches including Choir Member, Orchestra Member, Deacon, Youth Ministry Advisory Council, Production Ministry, and Chaperone just to name a few. He has also worked as a Boy Scouts of America Committee member assisting local Cub and Boy Scout organizations with logistics and camping needs. He has been an instructor with Suwanee Universal Martial Art for the past 20 years where his students’ ages range from age 3 to adult. He has a strong passion, using a Christ centered approach, for nurturing students as they seek to determine who they are and what they want to become.

Charlie Darwin

Board Member

Charlie and his wife, Molly, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of three adult children. A graduate of Baylor University with a degree in psychology and business, Charlie also earned dual master’s degrees in Health Administration and Human Resource Management from Washington University in St. Louis. He has spent more than 25 years in healthcare and business leadership, including over two decades as COO and partner of a marketing technology company, and now serves as a franchise administrator with Gameday Men’s Health.

Faith and family have always been at the center of Charlie’s life. For over 20 years, he was a member, deacon, and youth Sunday school teacher at Johns Creek Baptist Church, where he also served as a chaperone on dozens of youth and children’s camps and retreats. Today, Charlie and Molly are active members of First Baptist Gainesville, where his faith continues to shape his leadership, service, and passion for helping others reach their full potential.

Adam Fitzgerald

Board Member

Adam Fitzgerald grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Adam has lived in the Raleigh, North Carolina area for the last 12 years, and has a true passion and calling for ministry with young people and through missions. As the son of a church music minister, Adam grew up in the local church frequently participating in camps, retreats, and mission trips as pivotal opportunities for his faith development.

Adam has spent most of his professional career in various corporate & executive leadership roles driving revenue, strategy, operations, and innovation. Adam has also served in various non-profit and volunteer youth ministry roles over the last 15 years including as a member, leader, and interim youth minister. He has helped to plan, host, and lead youth worship and retreats for various church Disciple Now weekends, Fall Retreats, Ski Retreats, Rafting Retreats, and Summer Mission Trips (both domestic and international). Fun Fact: It was through some of these retreats that Adam got to meet his wife, Brenda, who also has over 15 years of professional experience leading youth ministries and camps.

Currently, Adam & Brenda live in Raleigh, NC with their one year old Aussie-Doodle named Gus.