Ocean City Tabernacle

What Ocean City Tabernacle does

Ocean City Tabernacle is a non-denominational Christian ministry operating from a single campus at 550 Wesley Ave in Ocean City, NJ, founded in 1879 by four Methodist ministers (Ezra B. Lake, James Lake, S. Wesley Lake, and William Burrell) who purchased Peck's Beach to create a Christian seaside resort. The organization functions as a historic camp meeting gathering place, hosting free Traditional (8:30am) and Contemporary (10:30am) Sunday services during the summer season featuring nationally recognized speakers from across Christian denominations, alongside year-round programs including Ark Preschool, Son Club after-school program, men's and women's Bible studies, Vacation Bible School, and Camp Sonshine summer day camp. The physical campus comprises a 1,000-seat auditorium, a 4,000 sq ft foyer, classrooms, the Kull Youth Center (gymnasium, game room, dorms, commercial kitchen), and outdoor grounds located two blocks from the boardwalk.

The business model is multi-stream and donation-centric, anchored by voluntary offerings during services and online giving, supplemented by tuition (Ark Preschool at $365/month), tiered registration fees (Son Club $25–$75/semester, Camp Sonshine $15–$55/week), facility rentals to church retreat groups and community events, and ticketed special events (concerts via iTickets.com). Legacy Gifts (planned giving) offers stock transfers, QCDs, annuities, bequests, and trusts. The 2026 VBS program is funded by nine local business sponsors raising $2,500. ECFA accreditation provides donor confidence. Technology is limited to CCB Church management software, livestream/YouTube distribution, and standard audio/video — there is no proprietary platform.

Leadership is governance-led: Executive Director Tom Sherf (formerly VP of Marketing and Enrollment at Cairn University), with Directors for Administration, Worship & Communications, Ark Preschool, and Youth Ministries, overseen by a Board of Trustees chaired by Gena Willard. The organization operates as a private nonprofit with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no external equity ownership.

Name

Ocean City Tabernacle

Legal name

Ocean City Tabernacle

Website

https://octabernacle.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1879

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ocean City Tabernacle is a 147-year-old non-denominational Christian ministry in Ocean City, NJ, offering free summer worship services with nationally recognized speakers, plus Ark Preschool, Son Club, VBS, Camp Sonshine, facility rentals, and a planned-giving program funded primarily by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Operators Of Nonresidential Buildings (6512)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Christian ministry services
• Worship services
• Religious education
• Youth programs
• Facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Ocean City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Offerings: Voluntary donations from Sunday service attendees, online givers, and ministry partners. Both Traditional and Contemporary services include an offering. The organization encourages ongoing financial partnership through the 'Donate Today' and Legacy Gifts programs.
2. Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting the 1,000-seat auditorium, 4,000 sq ft foyer, classrooms, Kull Youth Center (gymnasium, game room, dorm rooms, commercial kitchen), and outdoor grounds to church groups, retreat organizers, and community events. Available year-round excluding summer Sundays.
3. Ark Preschool Tuition: Year-round early childhood education program charging $365/month with sibling discounts. Operates Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9am-12:30pm. Children must be fully potty trained.
4. Camp Sonshine Fees: Summer day camp for children entering grades 1-4, charging tiered fees ($55, $35, or $15 per child per week) based on school lunch eligibility status. Operates Tuesday-Thursday mornings in July and August.
5. Son Club Registration Fees: After-school program with semester-based registration fees ($75, $50, or $25 per child per semester) based on school lunch status. Open to K-6th grade students with transportation provided from local schools.
6. Scholarship Program (Expense, Not Revenue): The Dana Kull Memorial Scholarship distributes $500-$2,500 awards to students preparing for vocational Christian ministry. Funded through donations, not a revenue stream. Applications accepted January-March, awards paid directly to schools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ocean City Tabernacle is a non-denominational Christian ministry that delivers free Sunday worship services (Traditional and Contemporary), structured Bible studies, early-childhood education through Ark Preschool, and a portfolio of youth and family programs including the Son Club after-school program, Vacation Bible School, and Camp Sonshine summer day camp. The organization also rents its Tabernacle auditorium and Kull Youth Center to outside church groups, retreats, conferences, and community events, with revenue from these activities and tuition subsidizing the free ministry programming.

Product overview

The Ocean City Tabernacle operates as a non-denominational Christian ministry center offering a portfolio of religious and community programs. The core offerings include Sunday worship services (Traditional at 8:30am and Contemporary at 10:30am), Bible Studies for men and women, and year-round programs like ARK Preschool and Son Club after-school program. Seasonal youth programs include Vacation Bible School (VBS), Camp Sonshine summer day camp. The ministry also operates event rental facilities including the main Tabernacle auditorium (1,000 seats) and the Kull Youth Center for retreats. Digital offerings include livestream services and a message archive. Financial support programs include the Dana Kull Memorial Scholarship for Christian vocations and a Legacy Gifts planned giving program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARK Preschool: A licensed Christ-centered early childhood education program providing nurturing environment for young children to learn, grow, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
• Son Club
• Camp Sonshine
• Vacation Bible School (VBS)
• Kull Youth Center

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services (Traditional & Contemporary) Free, non-denominational Sunday worship services held in the Tabernacle auditorium, offered in both Traditional and Contemporary styles for vacationing visitors, local residents, and year-round attendees, and broadcast via livestream for remote participants.
• Ark Preschool Tuition-based early-childhood education program for children ages 2½ to 5, with optional extended care and an afternoon Enrichment Club, offered to local families and integrating faith-based learning within Ocean City Tabernacle's ministry.
• Son Club After-School Program After-school program serving children from Kindergarten through 5th grade, operating until 5:30 p.m. with faith-based enrichment activities at the Kull Youth Center, offered to local families needing before/after-school care.
• Vacation Bible School Free Vacation Bible School program for children, providing a week of faith-based learning, crafts, activities, and games, open to local and visiting families.
• Camp Sonshine (Summer Day Camp) Summer day camp program offered in weekly sessions for children ages 4 to 12, featuring faith-based activities, recreation, and field trips, available to local and visiting families during the Jersey Shore summer season.
• Bible Studies Adult Bible study groups and classes offered by Ocean City Tabernacle as part of its ongoing ministry formation programming for members and attendees.
• Tabernacle Auditorium Facility Rentals Event rental of the Tabernacle auditorium for conferences, retreats, weddings, receptions, concerts, meetings, and family reunions, offered to outside church groups, conference organizers, and family/event planners.
• Kull Youth Center Facility Rentals Event rental of the Kull Youth Center for conferences, retreats, meetings, and family events, offered as a co-located or standalone venue to outside church groups, retreat organizers, and family event planners.
• Dana Kull Memorial Scholarship Named scholarship program open to U.S. and international college or graduate students pursuing Christian ministry in an evangelical, non-denominational, or inter-denominational direction at an accredited seminary, Bible college, or graduate school.
• Legacy Gifts (Planned Giving) Structured planned-giving program allowing donors to integrate Ocean City Tabernacle into their estate and legacy plans, providing long-term financial support for the ministry's ongoing programs and operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tens of thousands of attendees annually during summer season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Jilly'sminorOthers · 1 January 2026Ocean City boardwalk business celebrating 50 years, serving as a 2026 VBS sponsor. Provided sponsorship funding that covered t-shirt costs for Vacation Bible School participants.
• OC AwningminorOthers · 1 January 2026Ocean City, New Jersey's premier awning specialist, serving as a 2026 VBS sponsor supporting summer youth ministry.
• McMahon Insurance AgencyminorOthers · 1 January 2026Trusted local insurance agency serving as a 2026 VBS sponsor, demonstrating community-minded service to Ocean City families.
• Johnson's PopcornminorOthers · 1 January 2026World-famous caramel corn business since 1940, serving as a 2026 VBS sponsor supporting summer youth ministry at the Tabernacle.
• The Flanders HotelminorOthers · 1 January 2026Historic Ocean City landmark hotel serving as a 2026 VBS sponsor. One of the few private membership clubs on the island permitted to serve alcohol to members.
• The Crab TrapminorOthers · 1 January 2026Beloved local seafood restaurant serving as a 2026 VBS sponsor, supporting youth ministry programs at the Tabernacle.
• Cepha Inc.minorOthers · 1 January 2026Print partner providing ongoing support for Tabernacle's print and special project needs throughout the year. Generously supporting VBS 2026 as a key sponsor.
• The Boyle Real Estate Team (Keller Williams)minorOthers · 1 January 2026Local real estate team helping families find homes on the island, serving as a 2026 VBS sponsor supporting summer youth ministry.
• Glazed Over StudiosminorOthers · 1 January 2026Paint-your-own-pottery studio on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, serving as a 2026 VBS sponsor supporting summer youth ministry.
• Global Leadership NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. David Ashcraft, President and CEO of Global Leadership Network, spoke at the Tabernacle on June 28, 2026. The organization provides leadership resources and training that align with the Tabernacle's mission.
• Beyond Our GenerationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry led by Dr. Crawford Loritts focused on raising up the next generation of leaders. Dr. Loritts spoke at the Tabernacle on May 31, 2026, addressing discouragement and faith.
• Eastern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Ron Matthews serves as President of Eastern University and spoke at the Tabernacle on June 7, 2026. Cairn University connection exists through staff backgrounds.
• American Cornerstone InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Ben Carson serves as Founder and Chairman of American Cornerstone Institute. He spoke at the Tabernacle on July 5, 2026.
• Center for Church RenewalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Gene Getz serves as Director of the Center for Church Renewal and has developed the Life Essentials Interactive Study Bible distributed globally through various partnerships.
• Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)minorOthersECFA accreditation demonstrates financial accountability and transparency. The ECFA seal appears on the Legacy Gifts page, signaling to donors that the organization meets standards for financial integrity.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Group (VBS Publisher): Major publisher of Vacation Bible School curriculum and resources. Indirect peer via the VBS program ecosystem; not a direct competitor but a key supplier and thematic comparable in children's ministry programming.

Direct peers

• Ocean Park Association: A Maine-based non-denominational Christian camp meeting organization founded in 1881 with a nearly identical heritage. Runs summer worship services, conference programming, and retreat facilities in a seaside setting, making it the closest historical and operational analog to Ocean City Tabernacle.
• Chautauqua Institution: Historic summer community combining religion, education, arts, and recreation in a lakeside setting. Closely parallels the Tabernacle's model of a multi-generational seasonal gathering place with worship, lectures, and programming.
• Pine Cove Christian Camps: Multi-site Christian summer camp operator offering day and overnight camps for children and youth. Comparable summer children's ministry programming (Camp Sonshine equivalent) at greater scale.
• Sandy Cove Ministries: A Chesapeake Bay-area Christian conference and retreat center offering summer worship, conferences, and year-round retreat rentals. Comparable mix of beach/shoreline retreat facilities, summer speakers, and church-group rentals.
• Wilds Christian Association: Non-denominational Christian camp and conference center in Brevard, NC. Operates summer youth camps, family conferences, and year-round retreat facilities with similar church-group rental model.
• Mount Hermon Conference Center: Northern California Christian retreat center hosting summer conferences, family camps, and church retreats. Comparable year-round retreat operations and broadly similar ministry programming model.

Broad incumbents

• Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: Large-scale national evangelical ministry hosting crusades, festivals, and digital outreach. Comparable in deploying nationally recognized Christian speakers and large gatherings, though at much greater scale and geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@OceanCityTabernacle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ocean-city-tabernacle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ocean City Tabernacle