First Presbyterian-Midland Youth Ministry: Back From the Wilderness

At the time of this writing, we’re about 2 hours away from Midland.  Everything that you read below has already been written.  Our journey into the Ozark wilderness held more than any of us bargained for.  At the end, we had hiked about 20 miles and canoed another 15 miles.  Whether it was ferrying people and backpacks across the a quick river in a canoe…in a torrential downpour, camping out on an old road surrounded by mud and poison ivy, our own “night ops,” or defying the odds and proving a destination on a moonless night, this group of 9 “mountain slayers” grew in their understanding of themselves, God and others along the way.

Over our trek, we memorized Philippians 2.1-13 and started to really grasp what it means to “look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others” and to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

I think we’re all still trying to wrap our heads around what God was teaching each of us individually over the course of the week. Ask us all again in a week or two. But, we all went into the wilderness searching for something…not unlike countless others before us…and God was steady at his business showing his face to us in every circumstance. God is good. Get ready, classes of 2015 and 2016…your turn is next!!!

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post, and enjoy some more photos