NEXT UP: Why Does This Matter?
At age 19, I was tasked with turning an old building into a teen outreach center. The building was located near what was known as “Uptown” in the Minneapolis, MN area and experienced many of the typical inner city issues. Not long after the renovations were completed, we began running various community outreach programs. Shortly thereafter, a small contingent of the Crips gang moved into the neighborhood and began causing problems. The gang headquarters was located about a block from our building. Though their activities had not escalated
How to See the Grand Canyon
Every year, millions of visitors from around the world come to see the Grand Canyon, and there are many ways in which they do so. For many, the canyon is just a short stop along their route as they are traveling through the region. They will see it only briefly from a few vantage points at best. Others may spend an entire day, or more, driving around taking in the different views. This may be a fine way to visit this natural wonder, but it’s only scratching
Why Geology and Canyon Ministries?
Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, or some other unique geologic formation and simply been in awe? This unexplainable feeling of wonder sweeps over you and you’re left staring, jaw dropped, as your baffled mind tries to comprehend how the processes of today compare (or don’t compare) to what may have formed it? While it is okay to stay living in awe, I want more. What do these rocks tell us about the past? What do they tell us about the present? Dare I even
NEXT UP: Our 2020 Vision
“The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world. If we don’t give it a voice for God, who will?” - Monte Albert at age 13 Proclaiming the wonders of God is a privilege, but it is also an expectation. If God’s people will not proclaim His wonders, no one will! Our world is desperate for hope. However, many choose to place their trust in themselves or temporary, earthly things. There is no hope found there. Hope is the direct product of trusting God and His
River Rats Across the Pond
Recently I returned from the United Kingdom, after conducting a week-long biblical tour of London. This is something my wife and I typically put together every 2 years, with an open invitation to people from around the world. Apart from all the sightseeing and adventure, during our London Christian Tour we also focus on three main areas of the Christian faith— Creation Science, Church History, and Biblical Archaeology London’s Natural History Museum is a bastion of devotion to evolution and Charles Darwin. When entering the museum, you see Darwin
12 Stones at Separation Canyon
What an incredible season it’s been on the river. This year I had the privilege of running our first river trip, as well as our last. It has been amazing to see the many lives God touched and perspectives He changed while folks rafted through the Grand Canyon with us. God is amazing and always has unique ways of speaking to our hearts and drawing us to Himself on these trips. We believe the layers of the Grand Canyon comprise a remnant and a remembrance. They consist of a
Listen for the Whisper
Every year, between late July and early September, daily monsoons sweep through northern Arizona in a barrage of high winds, torrential downpours, and deep rolling thunder. Although these daily storms can sometimes cause unexpected showers, they provide some of the most extravagant experiences at the Grand Canyon. This is especially true of the sunsets. Last Friday was no exception. Parking our bus at the last overlook of the tour, both my fellow guide, Nate Loper, and I agreed this was going to be a sunset to remember. As the
WOW
We are nearly at the halfway mark of the 2019 river season. Our time at the bottom of Grand Canyon is always super sweet. Great friendships, scenery, and adventure combine in the most perfect blend of sights, sounds, and emotions. As always, the most common word spoken is, WOW! I have always attributed this to the flood of beauty overwhelming the eyes and brain. I still believe this to be true, but I have come to learn that there is more going on with every WOW moment. The word
Master Books Comes to the Grand Canyon
Recently I had the amazing opportunity to spend the day giving a tour to 21 members of the Pratt family. If you don’t know Randy and Kristen Pratt, you should. They and most of their family are involved in various ways in the publishing company Master Books, which published the books our founder, Tom Vail, helped put together. These include Grand Canyon, A Different View, and the True North Series guide books for Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyons, and Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. All four of these books are
Lessons From The Trail
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I be will exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 (ESV) Hiking in the Grand Canyon can be intimidating. It has often been said about hiking Grand Canyon, “Down is optional, but up is mandatory.” This is so true. Like reverse mountain climbing, the adventurer descends into the earth taking in the extreme beauty. The traveling offers smooth sailing as gravity assists the journey and thrusts the wanderer deeper into the earth. However, the time comes