Outdoor Ministry

We dropped our packs and took a short side trail to an impressive waterfall. It was day 2 of our 4-day backpacking trip. Standing in the waterfall mist was another remarkable moment in a journey that was turning out perfectly. Until another large group showed up. I didn’t mind sharing the waterfall. It was the campsite I was hoping to have for ourselves. We were 2 miles from North Beach, where we planned to camp for the night. I had made an earlier trip to scout out the camp spots. Not every backcountry site can accommodate our group of 11. And not every group of strangers is appropriate for a Christian youth group to share a campsite with. Sure enough, this group confirmed they were headed for North Beach. 

In February 2024, the North Pacific Union and the Alaska Conference granted $20,000 of Shark Tank Evangelism funds to the Palmer SDA Church and Amazing Grace Academy for outdoor ministry. The ministry launched by purchasing backpacking gear and creating a storage/adventure prep space with an REI feel. A calendar filled with winter, spring and summer hikes provided enjoyable connection points for the church and school communities. AGA offered a 4^th  quarter expedition course. A total of 40 adventurers, ranging from age 8 to 78, have participated in three separate multi-day backpacking trips. The experiences have been rich with tremendous views, tired feet, Bible reflection, memorable meals, spiritual conversation, cold nights, and lots of relationship-building. The outdoor ministry in Palmer, Alaska, is pursuing adventure, fitness and spiritual growth in some wild places. 

The trip with the waterfall was at Caines Head Recreation Area in Seward, Alaska.  It was the big one, the final adventure for the AGA expedition. The group had been looking forward to hiking on the beach with mountain views, exploring WWII bunkers, and seeing the trees and moss of the coastal rainforest. 

We didn’t plan on doing all that with a group of 9 strangers. But that’s what happened. Only they weren’t strangers for long. We shared North Beach with them and adventured as one group of 20 hikers from that waterfall until we said goodbye back at our cars. The unplanned connections started even before we joined. Their group was made up of two families who met at the trailhead. Each group had kids. We all got along. And we were all Christians seeking a meaningful spiritual time in nature. 

They joined us in our team challenges, balancing on a log on one foot, building rock towers and carrying a log as far down the beach as possible in one minute. They joined us for Sabbath worship in the rich acoustics of a WWII bunker. They joined our ridiculous sneaky game in the same bunkers. They joined in our spiritual exercises of silence, solitude, scripture reflection and group discussion. It was not how we had planned it. It was better. The surprise blessings are always the best part. The outdoor ministry setting is ideally suited for delivering those blessings we never planned on.  The blessings have continued as one of the young people we met on our backpacking trip is now enrolled as a student at AGA! We are sharing a lot more than a campsite. 

Learn more about our outdoor ministry at Palmer SDA Outdoor Ministries. See what is on the 2024-25 calendar. Could you participate in our scheduled activities? Plan a trip of your own. Rent gear for an adventure of your own. Connect with God and others outside.  

By Ryan Rogers

Events
Access the complete calendar on the Palmer SDA church Website (Events) tab.

2024 ALASKA CONFERENCE CONSTITUENCY

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