A simple google search for “outdoor ministry” changed my life. And saved it. This search led my husband, Aaron and I to Wilderness Ministry Institute and a community of outdoor leaders and instructors that made an impact on us we could never have seen coming.
OUR WALK INTO THE WILDERNESS
Creation has been a sanctuary of God’s presence and the cathedral of our worship throughout most of our lives. Newly married, we wanted to use our combined love for the outdoors to share the love of God with others. We wanted to make our life together centered around this work. But…we had NO IDEA where to start.
When we reached out to WMI, they welcomed us to join in their training and offered us resources to begin our own church-based wilderness ministry. The training is extremely high quality and very affordable. Our bank accounts were not substantial in the first months of marriage. Even though the cost of training was low, it was still a leap of trust and faith to commit. But thankfully, we did. It was one of the best decisions of our life!
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OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The first weekend was packed full of content that was inspiring, useful, and equipping for 2 young adults who had nothing but a passion to follow. Course instructors were highly experienced, well educated in mountaineering and climbing skills, and deeply rooted in an authentic faith that we couldn’t help but be changed by.
Our lives were impacted in many ways, but for the purposes of this story, one instructor especially comes to mind. An entire training weekend is devoted to Wilderness First Aid. WMI had brought in NOLS instructor, Kelly Pyke to lead our WFA training. Her medical knowledge and mountaineering experience were enough to make every word she shared seem like gold to us students. She also brought an element of faith and love that was the ultimate authority in her wisdom. She and her teaching partner thoroughly covered material and let us practice scenarios to ensure we grasped the responsibility and power wilderness first aid can hold for someone who is sick or injured in the backcountry. Kelly repeatedly reminded us that these facts were always underneath with will and power of God, meaning there is always room for things to work out outside of our explanation.
We completed all of the WMI trainings and left feeling equipped, impacted, and a part of this remarkable community of outdoor leaders that we had no idea existed. We had an incredible first year of outdoor ministry. Our dreams kept getting bigger and better as we reveled in the satisfaction of living in our calling.
LET GOD BE GOD
Then, everything changed. On a winter adventure chasing powder turns in the Colorado mountains, Aaron and I were in a terrible car accident. Seeking adventure has its risks, and unfortunately, we fell victim to black ice on a steep mountain pass.
I have Kelly to thank for her instruction of Wilderness First Aid. Even more so, I have my husband to thank. He followed the WFA procedures to clear my airway and stabilize my spine until professional medical help arrived. All of this he accomplished with severe injuries of his own, inside of a crushed car.
TRAUMA TO LIFE AND LIMBS
Medical professionals transported me by helicopter to a Denver ICU to undergo immediate spinal surgery and I was stabilized from the numerous other injuries I had incurred, including a traumatic brain injury, a collapsed lung, a liver laceration, dozens of broken bones, and aneurisms located very close to my brain.
Aaron was sent to the local hospital for immediate surgery on his shattered and dislocated feet, only to find that the damage was too severe for their expertise. He was sent with an open wound by ambulance back over the pass into Denver, where there was a trusted foot surgeon who could make the repairs. He also sustained internal lacerations and had numerous other broken bones.
Aaron immediately saved my life by making sure I had an air supply while we waited for the ambulance. His accuracy in getting my spine stabilized turned out to be quite significant in my outcome as I was only 1mm away from severing my spinal cord, which could have left me paralyzed. Aaron underwent several surgeries and a long painful recovery. After I spent a month in the ICU and in a rehabilitation hospital for my traumatic brain injury, we had many months of in-home therapy and care.
OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SKILLS SAVE LIVES
The wilderness first aid skills that Kelly instilled in Aaron no doubt saved my life. We found her truth that the power of God reigns over all, in the way Aaron could rise up above his own injured self and show love to another. We saw it in the small details of the events of our accident and in the countless people who are a part of our healing story. The education intertwined with elements of faith that we took away from WMI trainings literally changed and saved our lives.
Here we sit 9 years on the other side of this experience thankful and triumphant over the circumstances. We are both alive and well and baffled (still) that we are able to carry on with wilderness ministry. I now have the honor to serve some of the outdoor leaders who made such a significant impact on my life in my administrative role for Wilderness Ministry Institute and outdoorleaders.com. The importance of high-quality training and the power of community are things that no one, especially outdoor leaders, should take for granted. It changes lives, people, and systems.
RELATED POST: Wilderness for All – The Interruptive Space Where God Reacquaints us with Real Life
EMERGENCIES ARE ALL AROUND US
We are forever convinced of and committed to the power the wilderness carries in our lives. Our story is one example of how outdoor leadership training has met vulnerability with healing. On the trail, we see vulnerable places be exposed in countless other ways…grief, loneliness, abandonment, depression, and suicide to name a few. An equipped outdoor leader who has faith grounded in the miraculous love of Christ can truly unleash the kingdom of God. The emergencies going on in our souls cannot escape the wilderness. Rather, it is sometimes life saving experiences that “clears your airway” and “stabilizes your spine” until you can receive professional medical help – the gospel.
“You cannot hide in the wilderness. It exposes you wide open.” Bear Grylls
WHAT IS STOPPING YOU?
If you have a draw towards outdoor ministry, but don’t know where to start or feel equipped, contact Ashley Denton. There are resources, support, and a community out there that can help make your calling a reality. You never know how it will change your life and the lives of others.
Kelly has received the Wilderness Ministries Manager position at Sky Ranch Ute Trail, one of Ashley’s Recommended Outdoor Programs. We are so excited for what is in store for her and Sky Ranch.
