Lives are being radically transformed through an outdoor ministry in Romania! My friend Emil Toader launched Alpiniş to equip the youth of Romania with the Gospel through camps, outdoor activities and retreats.
Ashley (walking with bags to the van on the streets of Timisoara, Romania), Ota (foreground), and Emil (background)
I had the privilege of helping get Alpiniş Outdoor Challenge off the ground with Emil in 2007 (in partnership with Wilderness Ministry Institute). These week-long adventures in the Transylvanian Alps stretch young people to new personal limits through experiences in God’s creation. Dani Jurescu, a guide from Timişoara, Romania has this to say about the impact of Alpiniş
Outdoor Ministry for me brings together the love for God and people with the love for mountains and nature. It is exciting to take part in Jesus’ great commission in this way and to see transformation take place in the lives of young people as we have the joy to lead them in a very practical way, and challenge them to live with Christ. “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)
INSPIRING VIDEO FROM THE TRANSYLVANIAN ALPS, ROMANIA!
GET INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL OUTDOOR MINISTRY!
God is opening many doors overseas for youth ministry organizations to use outdoor ministry as a key part of their strategy to reach young people with the Gospel. If you are wanting to learn more about organizations doing outdoor ministry in other cultures here are a couple of ways to get involved:
1. Check out my Recommended Outdoor Programs (ROP list) International
2. Get involved in Project 54! It is an incredibly fun and effective fund-raiser the last Saturday of August that raises money to buy needed equipment and offer high quality guide training for outdoor ministry programs outside of the United States. Learn more about Project 54 here…
