An Evening with Geologist Dr. Steve Austin
Nate Loper - April 17, 2026 Having Steve here this last time, in the middle of that ongoing work, brought a unique perspective. Not because he handed us answers, but because he has spent decades asking the same kinds of questions in other places. We had one of those evenings you wish you could bottle up and revisit later again and again. Out here in northern Arizona, where the land itself invites questions, our team recently had the chance to gather with geologist Dr. Steve Austin and others who were
Why Defend Genesis? The Gospel-Centered Purpose for Creation Apologetics
Luke Wayne - March 07, 2025 We focus on the opening chapters of the Bible because they lay a vital foundation for that gospel message, one that is particularly neglected in today’s world. Creation, the Fall, and the Gospel The central point, not only of our faith, but of all of human history is found in the life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God. So, why do we as a ministry put so much emphasis on the first eleven chapters of Genesis rather than focusing our tours on,
The Appalachians and the Global Flood
Nate Loper - February 10, 2026 To understand the Appalachians properly, we have to step back far enough to see not just a mountain range, but a world that was once unified, later broken apart, and reshaped by catastrophic events. A World That Was Once Whole There are landscapes that feel settled, as though their story is complete the moment you arrive. The Appalachian Mountains are not like that. They stretch on quietly, ridge after ridge, forested and familiar, until the repetition itself begins to ask questions. Why do these
The Grand Canyon Never Gets Old
Nate Loper - January 28, 2026 The canyon doesn’t change us because it’s impressive. It changes us because it reminds us who God is—and who we are not. There are places in the world that lose their edge the more you see them. Familiarity dulls the wonder. The first visit stuns you, but over time the awe slowly erodes into routine. The Grand Canyon has never worked that way for me. I’ve been here with Canyon Ministries for twelve years now. I’ve stood on the rim, hiked the trails, floated the
Christmas and the Grand Canyon
Nate Loper - December 21, 2025 One winter morning at the Grand Canyon some years ago, I had enough time to get to the canyon before the sun did. I stepped out of the van before sunrise and felt that unmistakable stillness that only comes after a storm. The crowds were gone, the air was sharp enough to wake even the sleepiest guide, and the canyon lay hidden beneath a faint blue glow. I walked toward the rim, my boots crunching down on the new snow, not quite
Is Behemoth a Dinosaur in the Bible?
Nate Loper - December 4, 2025 The identity of the mysterious “Behemoth” in Job 40:15–24 has long intrigued scholars and students of Scripture. Many commentaries suggest Behemoth was a hippopotamus or elephant, while others dismiss it as a mythological creature. However, taking the text at face value – and from a young-earth creation (YEC) perspective that humans coexisted with all land animals – there is strong reason to conclude that Behemoth was a real creature best fitting the description of a sauropod dinosaur. In this article, we will
A Canyon-Sized Thanksgiving
Nate Loper - November 27, 2025 Thanksgiving reminds us not just to count blessings, but to notice them. There’s a moment that happens on the rim every now and then—usually when the wind settles, the light softens across the layers, and the canyon stretches out in quiet majesty. You stand there and realize just how small you are…and how deeply cared for you still remain. Thanksgiving has a way of bringing that into focus. This season always nudges me to slow down and look back at what God has done—through
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 Grand Canyon river trips, 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
Mount St. Helens 45-Year Commemoration Tour
Nate Loper - September 9, 2025 I recently returned from an incredible experience at the Answers in Genesis Mount St. Helens conference and tour, commemorating the 45th anniversary of the historic May 18, 1980 eruption. The event drew about 125 participants and began with a one-day conference featuring some of the leading voices in biblical creation today, including Dr. Jennifer Rivera, Dr. Terry Mortenson, Dr. Steve Austin, and Bill Hoesch (Director of the Mount St. Helens Creation Center). The following four days were spent hiking and exploring the areas
Grand Canyon Fossil Discovery: A Snapshot of Life Before the Flood
A recent article from Phys.org announced the discovery of exquisitely preserved Cambrian fossils in the Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Formation. These fossils include soft-bodied creatures like worms, crustaceans, and mollusk-like animals, preserved with stunning detail. Secular scientists are interpreting this find as evidence of a thriving ecosystem that existed some 500 million years ago, providing a window into what they call the "Cambrian Explosion"—a period of rapid evolutionary diversification in the distant past. As Christians who hold to the authority of Scripture and a young earth, global Flood model,