28 Seasons on the River: A Legacy of Lives Changed
Nate Loper – September 11, 2025
As Clay Miller and I helped the last group of guests step off the jet boat at Pearce Ferry, we closed the chapter on another remarkable season. Canyon Ministries has now completed 28 consecutive seasons guiding Grand Canyon river trips—a milestone that fills me with gratitude and awe.
Each summer, we lead 4-, 7-, and 9-day adventures through the canyon, covering either the 187-mile upper stretch or the 90-mile lower section of the Colorado River. These trips are more than just exciting vacations—they are powerful, life-changing experiences that blend thrilling adventure, spiritual renewal, and transformational teaching.
Moments That Last a Lifetime
There’s something unforgettable about being deep in the heart of the canyon, lying on a cot beneath a blanket of stars, the river’s gentle roar echoing off towering rock pinnacles. In those quiet moments conversations go deep, walls come down, and hearts open to God’s truth in ways that rarely happen in the rush of everyday life.
Then there are the adrenaline-charged days, as we plunge into thrilling rapids—faces lit with joy and sheer wonder. These moments of adventure etch themselves into memory forever, becoming family stories retold for generations.
But the heart of every trip comes when world-class teaching on creation science and biblical apologetics begins. Out there in the GRANDEST classroom on the planet, God’s Word comes alive in the very rocks and fossils surrounding us. Guests don’t just hear about the truth of Scripture—they see it. They live it.
One of the greatest joys of these trips is seeing multiple generations share the experience together. Grandparents, parents, and children often sit side-by-side on the same raft, passing down not only memories but a legacy of faith.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
As I reflect on season 28, I’m filled with gratitude—for our incredible team, faithful supporters, and the countless guests whose lives have been forever shaped by their time in the canyon.
Each trip is more than just a thrilling ride down the Colorado River. It’s a ripple effect that changes lives, strengthens families, and impacts future generations. Long after the trip ends, the truth of God’s Word continues to echo through the lives of those who experienced it firsthand.
I was privileged this season to guide both the first trip and last trip of the year. Standing there at Pearce Ferry, watching as our final group stepped off the jet boat, I couldn’t help but smile. Another season completed. Another chapter written in the story of Canyon Ministries. And, Lord willing, many more to come—filled with thrilling rapids, starlit nights, and life-changing encounters with the Creator in the very canyon He carved.
