Staff Profile: Jason “Technical Fowl” Koert

Ever wonder who keeps all the lights, sound, and video running at camp… and maybe also builds zip lines in their backyard for fun? Meet Jason “Technical Fowl” Koert! Whether he’s designing clever tech solutions, 3D-printing gadgets for random projects, or baking delicious cinnamon rolls for birthdays, Jason brings creativity, problem-solving, and serious fun to every corner of camp. In this profile, learn how he got his quirky camp name, why he loves helping set the stage for effective ministry behind the scenes, and how his adventures and talents—like turning the Woods into a full-blown television studio—remind us that some of the most important work at camp happens offstage.

What is your job, and how did you get to Pine Cove?
My current role is AV Manager, overseeing any space with sound or video systems—keeping them updated and functional, and managing renovations or new projects like Springs Pro.

Before moving to Texas to work for Pine Cove, my family and I were living in Michigan, where I had spent my entire life. After considering several factors that led us to look beyond Michigan, we chose East Texas for its green, wooded, and hilly landscape, which reminded us of West Michigan.

I started applying for jobs in Dallas and Waco and eventually came across an IT/AV position at a camp called Pine Cove in Tyler. I’d never been here before, never worked summer staff, but thought it was worth applying. I sent in my application, got my referrals in quickly, and we happened to have a spring trip planned to visit my in-laws in Texas around that same time. A few interviews later, I went back to Michigan, got an offer, and moved down to start work the Monday of training week in 2014.

Next month marks 11 and a half years here. I started as an AV technician, then became AV Manager, briefly worked in IT and high-risk operations for a few summers, and eventually settled back into AV full time.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy setting up new systems that solve problems and make things work better, and then watching others take those solutions and run with them. That’s one of my favorite parts of my role: dreaming with camp directors, designing and installing or programming systems for them, and then training someone to use them. I’d say I’m less of an operator and more of a craftsman, which fits me well.

I love seeing others succeed, especially when their work overlaps with mine. I enjoy hearing their challenges and helping find solutions. On the high-risk side, I’ve always loved adventure, hiking, climbing, that kind of thing, so that part of my job was fun and personally stretching. It pushed me to grow relationally and communicate better, since I naturally tend to put my head down and work independently.

I also really enjoy working with summer staff. I don’t get a ton of face-to-face time with them, but when I do, those connections are meaningful.

Do any standout memories come to mind from your time working for camp?
I’m sure I’m forgetting a few epic moments, but one that stands out came when COVID threw us a curve ball while planning for Summer 2020. Luke McGrath approached me and said, “We’re going to do a leadership weekend, and we’re going to do it live on Facebook. How can we pull this off?”

We started testing different setups and basically turned the Woods into a full-blown television studio. We had two sets, one for giving talks and one for the MCs to joke and interact, and mixed in prerecorded content. We ended up running about a four-hour livestream one Saturday morning in April, with segments from TJ Connor and Andrew Boshell, live conversations with Taylor Jervis and Chris Boddy, and plenty of MC time with Caleb Carter and Sarah Pence.

It was a wild project during a tough time, but looking back, it’s one of my favorite memories. Luke McGrath and Hamilton Bromhead would both probably tell you it was one of their craziest Pine Cove experiences too. I was behind the scenes making sure everything worked, and somehow, it all came together.

Another memorable moment isn’t quite as work-related. My wedding anniversary and my Pine Cove anniversary happen to fall on the same day. When I accepted the job, my wife and I had a short but honest conversation about how our anniversary would probably always land right in the middle of camp season and that celebrating on the actual day might not happen.

In 2018, our anniversary landed during orientation at the Cowan Center. It was a full weekend: setup on Friday, all-day sessions Saturday and Sunday, then teardown. I had secretly arranged with Andrew Boshell and Taylor Jervis to join one of their skits. They had a running gag where they’d burst into the auditorium dressed as janitors, interrupting a talk with a vacuum and trash bags, pretending the room was empty.

That year, I joined them in costume, came out on stage with flowers we had “found backstage,” and presented them to my wife who was in the crowd to give them to her for our anniversary. I’m an introvert, so being on stage in front of all the summer staff was terrifying, but also one of my favorite memories. Even thinking about it now makes me nervous, like I’m right back there again.

How did you get your camp name?
My full camp name is “Technical Fowl,” and I love it. I was honestly worried I’d end up with some crazy ten-word camp name, but this one fits perfectly.

I was named by Jeff Lay at a staff retreat, and while it’s not an especially wild story, it makes my name make a lot of sense. I’ve always enjoyed technical things both at work and as a hobby. I also went to two different high schools growing up. My junior and senior years, our mascot was a Crusader, but my freshman and sophomore years, it was a chicken.

Jeff heard that and said, “He likes technical things, and his high school mascot was a chicken. We’ll call him ‘Technical Fowl.’”

Who is someone at Pine Cove that’s had a big impact on your life, and what did they teach you?
I’d have to say Nick “Father Christmas” Wiggins. He’s not with Pine Cove anymore, he actually left just a couple of months ago after being here for about 18 or 19 years.

Nick had this incredible way of being relational. He didn’t just make small talk. He’d ask the kind of questions most people wouldn’t think to ask, the ones that really got to the heart of things. He had a knack for being straightforward and asking the question everyone else was quietly avoiding, but he always led with prayer.

If you asked anyone in East Texas who prays the most—or who just embodies prayer—they’d probably say Nick Wiggins. He prayed before everything: a project, a drive, a meeting, everything. It was just part of how he worked and lived.

That mindset was such an encouragement for me, especially since prayer isn’t always my first instinct. Nick would pray over something as simple as putting a shovel in the ground, asking that the work would be done well and with purpose. He reminded me that whatever task is in front of us, big or small, it’s worth praying over.

Nick Wiggins. “We need to pray.” He definitely has been deeply impactful.

What do you like to do with your free time?
When I do have free time, I tinker. I’ve always enjoyed working with technology and doing hands-on, craft-related things. I’ve made paper, built small projects around the house, and discovered I’m fairly handy with plumbing and electrical work.

Over the last five years or so, I’ve gotten into 3D modeling and printing. It’s not usually anything artsy, no figurines or collectibles, but more practical projects, like designing an adapter plate to fit a cabinet handle. I enjoy being creative in that kind of problem-solving way.

I also spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I love grilling and baking. My daughter asks for homemade cinnamon rolls every year for her birthday. I’m not really a recipe follower; I tend to look around the kitchen and figure out what I can make with what’s there. It’s logical, but also a little bit experimental, and usually the results are at least good or good enough.

Most of my free time goes into little projects around the house, coming up with new ideas. I even hung a zip line in the backyard for my kids. Most people would build a swing set or buy a trampoline, but we have a zip line.

What are some of the biggest differences you’ve noticed between living in Texas versus up north?
These all might sound a little cliché, but first, Texas barbecue is way better than anything in Michigan. I remember one of my high school pastors, who was from Canada, saying, “We’re going to have a barbecue.” I thought ribs and sauce, but he just meant grilling. That was his version of a barbecue. But in Texas, smoked meat is on another level—so much better than up north. On the flip side, Texas has far more bugs than Michigan. The diversity of insects is wild, and I’m not a fan of oversized beetles or fire ants. Some things are kind of fun, though, like anoles and geckos.

One thing I miss from Michigan is the fall colors. Up north, the reds, oranges, and bright yellows are incredible. Down here, it’s mostly browns and dull yellows, which just isn’t the same.

What’s something God has used the ministry of Pine Cove to teach you?
One thing I’ve been reflecting on lately, and something Pine Cove emphasizes a lot with summer staff, is that my face is a ministry. Whatever emotion I’m feeling, be it frustration, joy, annoyance, excitement, my face communicates it before I even speak. It’s like an icebreaker that leads the way. I’ve been trying to take that to heart because it really does make a difference.

Another lesson that stands out is how Pine Cove frames ministry as a team effort. For someone in a behind-the-scenes role, like on sound or video teams, or serving meals, it’s easy to wonder if you’re really “doing ministry.” But the truth is, every role contributes. If the property isn’t cared for or the systems don’t work, the teams on the front lines have a much harder job.

A few years ago, my boss challenged me to come up with a mission statement for the IT department. What I landed on was: ‘Helping set the stage for effective ministry.’ It reminded me that even if we’re not the face of the ministry, our contributions are still meaningful and valuable.

What is one thing the Lord has been teaching you in your current season?
This might sound funny coming from an IT person, but I’ve been reflecting lately on the idea of order versus chaos. I tend to be disorganized and a little chaotic when I’m on my own. But when I look at God, I see someone who is not a God of chaos. You can see order in almost everything He’s made: the stars, the sun, the moon, the cycles of the earth, even down to the way molecules behave. Even with sin and the corruption in the world, there’s still order. Chaos, I’ve realized, is a side effect of human choices and even original sin leading to the mess we create.

I’ve been thinking about why I’m naturally chaotic and what Scripture says about living in order. I’ve started looking at processes I can put in place, from relationships to even how I store things on a shelf, to bring more order where it’s needed.

Another piece I’ve been reflecting on is the link between spiritual maturity and emotional maturity. I’m learning that emotional maturity, knowing how to handle and place your emotions, goes hand in hand with understanding God’s Word and His role in your life. It’s a slow process, but I’m trying to bring more order to my life, my emotions, and ultimately my walk with God.