Blog

Thoughts from the Road

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:05:00 GMT

(This guest blog post was written by Andrew Bellisle, one of ACMNP's 2012-2013 Recruiters and summer 2012 alumnus from Grand Teton National Park, WY.)

Through car rides, plane flights, train stops, and bus rides; classrooms, climbing walls, and table talks nationwide; through phone calls, emails, and 1-on-1 face time; I’ve been pouring out every ounce of passion I possess to interest people in our mission. Evidently, my time in Grand Teton National Park last year wasn’t just to bear fruit during the summer. Fruit is still being grown and harvested as I continue to reflect on and learn from my experiences there – experiences which now help me to do my job better as an ACMNP Recruiter.

You learn a lot in the parks: from the people, the quiet, and the Lord. Growth is almost inevitable, and I learned some priceless lessons tucked away in the Tetons. Perhaps the greatest was on unity. I want to shout from the hilltops a message of fusion among believers! ACMNP does a beautiful job utilizing the gifts of Christians from all over the church spectrum. In the Tetons, I served on a team of 13 that consisted of about 8 different denominations, everything from Pentecostal to Catholic. I witnessed the intricate beauty displayed among a divinely orchestrated and diverse team of people, all welded together by the belief in Jesus as a needed savior. Now it’s easy for me to see the value and potential in the believers I meet on the road, regardless of what denomination they claim. It makes me wonder what would happen if Christians in our country, from every denomination, joined together more regularly to put their gifts together into one mission, loving God and loving others.

It excites me to know that the ACMNP alumni I meet along my travels have been learning the same lesson. When I meet an alumnus going to Mt. Vernon Nazarene in Indiana, I receive the same welcome and have the same Jesus connection that I do with an alumnus from Presbyterian College in South Carolina or California Baptist University. From the home of hospitality in the Southeast to the professional business region of the Northeast to the climbing/ski folks of the West, I’m learning that people are people. We’re all broken, all in need of redemption.

And if we as Christians realized this as I did in the Tetons or ACMNP’ers did in Yosemite, Denali, Acadia, or the Virgin Islands, maybe Christians could become known as something greater than a religious group. Instead our image could be a beautiful construction of a diverse group of people, all deeply in love with our Lord and radically striving to fulfill the lifestyle and purpose that Jesus called us to live. If every region of this country, every denomination, every Christian joined together in the same way that this ministry does on a small scale inside national parks, maybe it could be noticed on a large scale throughout our country and our world. Maybe Jesus would be noticed. And maybe God would be magnified.

(If you're an alumni of ACMNP and interested in recruiting, find more information here.)

Life in Death Valley: Winter with ACMNP

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:34:00 GMT

(This guest blog post was written by two of our current ministry team members in Death Valley National Park, CA. If you're interested in learning more about this winter placement, check out the information here.)

"Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure." Psalm 23:4 (MSG)

And it’s true that God secures us in Death Valley National Park! Steep rocky hillsides, extreme temperatures, and high winds characterize our new dwelling place. Yet God reveals the beauty beyond the danger here – from the sun-filled Golden Canyon to the soft Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Our ACMNP team tried to sled down a sand dune for our “winter” activity in 65 degree weather. That’s one thing we love about our team: creativity. We attempt ridiculous sand dune sledding adventures, even if they don’t run as smoothly as planned (the cardboard sled was not slick enough to slide far)!

One of the blessings of this ministry in Death Valley is that most of the people who attend our worship services are regulars, meaning they attend every week. It has given us the opportunity to form close relationships with the people we are ministering to. They have become our second family away from home and have become such an encouragement to us, always offering input on what they enjoyed in each service.

When things don’t go our way, like planning a sermon on limited sleep for Sunday’s worship service, God gracefully meets us where we are. Bethany’s first sermon was prepared far in advance of its delivery. All went well. The second sermon she gave came through much trial the night before, as she tried to determine what God wanted her to say and how to say it. What a challenge it is to preach the gospel when doubts invade! All of us have faced these same trials and doubts when it comes to preparing a sermon. Yet God offers his strength to all who do his will. And he gives each of us unique gifts to carry out this mandate to share his good news!

Eventually after a final prayer before dozing off, with trust placed in God’s peace to help her overcome public speaking fears and a willingness to show up and do her part, she delivered her second sermon about Jesus’ poetic creativeness and truth found in the Beatitudes. One worship participant came up afterwards and thanked her for presenting the scriptures in an enlightening way. Positive feedback is so encouraging! Only God knows our true impact on another’s life as part of this ministry. Meanwhile, we can focus on storing up treasures in heaven as we relentlessly pursue our Creator in this opportunity.

Please pray for us and others dwelling in or visiting Death Valley. Pray that God’s life-giving breath sounds in the desert. Pray that minds be opened. Pray that God’s protection, love, and knowledge go before us to people’s hearts.

In Christ,

Maria & Bethany, Death Valley team 2012-2013

Why Our Teams Matter

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 22:27:00 GMT

Design our next worship booklet contest!

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:52:00 GMT

Seeking all creative friends: ACMNP is finally remaking the worship booklets, and we need your help to design the cover!

Olympic National Park worship, 2012. Photo by Rev. John Schmidt.

These little booklets are more than simply a compilation of songs, prayers, and readings. They provide organization, resources, and direction for our ministry team members who come from many different Christian backgrounds. They also guide service attendees and park visitors from all over the world in interdenominational worship that honors God. It's been ten years since these worship booklets were last revised, and they're badly in need of an overhaul!

Will you help us design an inspiring cover for our new worship booklets? The only contest rule is that all designs should include the ACMNP logo and be submitted by December 31st. Feel free to submit as many ideas as you'd like - there's no limit on the number of entries! Please submit your designs to Rev. Dave Degler, Director of Program and Leadership, at ddegler@acmnp.com. The winner will be credited within the worship booklet, and booklets will be distributed to national park sites all over the country. We're excited to see what you come up with!

3,000 worship booklets will be printed and distributed to 75 locations within 25 parks in 2013. Revisions and improvements include: expanding the selection of worship songs; including prayers from culturally diverse sources; more resources for teams such as calls to worship, invocations, and benedictions; increased participation options for our 30,000 annual service attendees; and input from ACMNP alumni. If there's a song or prayer you can't imagine us not including, please let us know that too by leaving a comment below.

Seeking a full-time pastor near Yellowstone National Park, MT

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:14:00 GMT

Announcing our search for a Pastor of Mt. Republic Chapel of Peace Church: Cooke City, MT

A Christian Ministry in the National Parks is currently hiring for a very unique pastoral opportunity in the wilderness of Montana, near Yellowstone National Park, for immediate placement starting January 1st, 2013. This position is appointed by the Executive Director of ACMNP, Rev. Spencer L. Lundgaard. You may find out more information about the position and application instructions here.

Our new recruiters... look for them at a school near you!

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:14:00 GMT

Meet our new recruiters for 2012-2013, Andrew Bellisle and Lisa Larson! Soon Andrew and Lisa will hit the road, helping us recruit 200 new ministry team members for summer and winter 2013 ministry placements in the parks. You can find them at undergraduate and seminary campuses, in churches, and at conference events across the nation. Be sure to check our calendar regularly to find out when ACMNP will be recruiting at a location near you!

You can learn more about Andrew and Lisa on our National Office staff page.

Voices on awe and worship in the parks

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:18:00 GMT

Shout! Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine recently published an article about how national parks are sources of inspiration - wilderness areas that can replenish our souls and lead our eyes heavenward. In the words of Wallace Stegner, national parks are "the best idea we ever had" - for so many reasons!

Our summer leadership program and worship services help people interpret the awe and grandeur of the parks as creation that sings the presence of God. We'd love it if you'd check out the article and let us know what you think. Featured are stories from ACMNP team members in Rocky Mountain and Grand Teton National Parks.

You can read Another Great Idea here...

Park photos: best of the best!

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:50:00 GMT

We're convinced that America's national parks are some of the most impressive places in the world. They are beautiful, sacred, wild, rugged, dangerous, and truly awesome. And they're where our teams spend their days each summer and winter - encountering God through creation and helping others do the same.

To that end, we're pleased to showcase this year's annual photo contest winners, submitted by team members and Ministry Support Committee members across the country. All entries will be featured on our website and in social media during the coming months, and winners will also receive an ACMNP water bottle. We hope you enjoy seeing these photos and dreaming of your next national park adventure as much as we did!

BEST LANDSCAPE. Photo by Sara Spaulding, Glacier National Park.

BEST TEAM MEMBER PHOTO. Photo by Zach Kitchen, Rocky Mountain National Park.

BEST WILDFLOWERS. Photo by Dakota Mork, Sequoia National Park.

BEST WATER PHOTO. Photo by David Irick, Olympic National Park.

BEST MOUNTAINS. Photo by Mark Eekhoff, Rocky Mountain National Park.

BEST SUNRISE/SUNSET. Photo by Lisa Larson, Blue Ridge Parkway.

BEST ANIMAL PHOTO. Photo by Tim Streight, Yellowstone National Park.

BEST ARTISTIC PHOTO. Photo by David Irick, Glacier National Park.

Introducing David Degler, Director of Program and Leadership Advancement

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:21:00 GMT

It's our pleasure to announce the newest addition to our National Office staff, the Rev. David Degler, as our new Director of Program & Leadership Advancement. This is a new position created to coordinate and oversee all components of our ministry program in the parks. We are excited that this position will bring energy, creativity, and resources to the local Ministry Support Committees who directly support ACMNP's teams each summer. In addition, David will use technology, mentors, and other resources to see that team members who serve with ACMNP develop leadership qualities and skills for future service in the local church.

David brings keen strategic planning skills and strong administration abilities to our team, as well as a great love for God's creation, a pastor's heart, a passion for college students, and a proven track record of raising up Christian leaders. His acceptance concludes a search process that began at the end of 2011, and we are thrilled to have him on board.

Originally from the mid-west, David holds a Bachelor of Religious Education degree from Great Lakes Christian College and a Master of Divinity from Emmanuel Christian Seminary in Johnson City, TN. In 28 years of ordained ministry, he has served as pastor of a mega-church in Indianapolis and a local Denver church, led over 20 cross-cultural mission trips, was a campus pastor at East Tennessee State University, and started the Campus Christian Fellowship at Appalachian State University. He currently serves as a board member of the Bethshean Mexico Mission. David also has a varied background in secular work including engineering, banking, security, and golf course maintenance.

David and his wife, Dawn, explore the Colorado wilderness at every opportunity and are spiritually energized by the beauty of the national parks. In his spare time, David enjoys bow hunting for elk, skiing, gardening, writing, and reading. They have two grown sons, Jonathan and Alex.

In the months ahead, David will be visiting many of the parks to become acquainted with the ACMNP family, strengthen our networks of support, and begin preparing for our summer 2013 teams. David will be a huge asset to our ministry, and we look forward to introducing him to our friends across the country this year.

Recruiter positions now available... could this be your dream job?

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:08:00 GMT

ACMNP is now accepting applications for our seasonal Recruiter positions! If you love talking about ACMNP and telling others about your summer or winter experience... if you love to travel and see new places... if you enjoy talking to all different kinds of people... if you're good at planning trips... this could be your dream job!

Recruiters are typically based out of our National Office in Denver, CO. The primary task of recruiters is to travel to colleges across the country, spreading the news about ACMNP opportunities and generating high quality applicants for the program. We are looking for recent ACMNP alumni who are passionate and energetic about our mission, highly organized, excellent written and verbal communicators, and love to be on the road!

You can find the job description and application here. Along with the application, please also submit your resume and a list of three references who know you well. All applications are due before Monday, August 20th, no exceptions. After August 20th, we will conduct phone interviews and follow up with references. We anticipate making the decision by the beginning of September. Dates of employment will be roughly the last week of September or first week of October through early March.

Please contact Rachel with any questions.

Heaven Fest, here we come!

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 20:04:00 GMT

Here at ACMNP, we're all about worship. Leading it, experiencing it, and living it as a 24/7 lifestyle in the natural sanctuaries of the parks. Our ministry teams lead worship atop mountains, in forests, and within canyons. (And sometimes even in the presence of deer-eating bears, as our team in Sequoia witnessed this summer!)

So we're always excited to come alongside other organizations who have a similar passion for worship. On Saturday, July 28th, ACMNP will be an exhibitor at Heaven Fest at The Ranch in Loveland, CO. Heaven Fest is a massive music and worship gathering to teach this generation about pursuing the heart of God. Artists on the schedule to perform include Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, Underoath, Flame, Superchick, Jaci Velasquez, and many others. With multiple stages, tons of bands, camping, art, and family-friendly activities like a kid's zone and skate park, the event draws thousands of Christians from across the west every year. Even cooler: Heaven Fest gives away ALL ticket money to organizations that serve the poor, orphans, and those who are exploited, hungry, or thirsty.

If you're in the area on July 28th, grab a ticket and come find the ACMNP tent. We'll be rocking out as we spread the news to young people from all across the country about opportunities to serve God in the parks, and we'd love to see you there!

Learn more about Heaven Fest here.

Check out our new site!

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the brand spanking new website of A Christian Ministry in the National Parks!

We in the National Office are excited to have new, and better, ways to connect with you – our teams, alumni, donors, supporters, and friends.

Whether you’re interested in attending a service, serving on a park team, building up the Christian leadership skills of young people, creation care, or even just learning more about what we do, there’s something here for everyone. We hope you’ll be involved. Thank you for your support!

It’s beginning again…

Mon, 28 May 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The last few weeks, our teams have been taking finals, buying headlamps and work pants, packing their suitcases, and saying goodbye to family and friends who they may not see for the next three months. Now they’re flying or driving to remote parts of the country, meeting new roommates, showing up for the job, and writing their first sermons.

This week and next, we have team members arriving at the ruggedly beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, at “the crown jewel of the continent” Glacier, in Yellowstone, along the flower-filled Blue Ridge Parkway, and in Maine’s coastal Acadia National Park. To borrow from Eugene Peterson, they are “moving into the neighborhood” of the national parks. They are hopeful, excited, anxious, maybe terrified, and prayerfully adjusting to these first few weeks of God’s new adventure for them!

Each Sunday from now through September, people from different states, countries, cultures, and faiths will gather in national parks across the country to worship with these ACMNP teams. And thousands of seasonal employees and residents will interact with team members throughout the summer.

To all these people, ACMNP is a ministry of hospitality. Of peace. Of breaking down walls and building up unity in the midst of so much natural beauty.

So this is our prayer for our young teams. Will you pray it with us? Will you consider joining the story of what God is doing in the parks?

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If you speak, you should do it as one who speaks the very words of God. If you serve, you should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 4:8-11

Seeking Prayer Partners

Tue, 01 May 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Even if you don’t live near a national park or have another summer to spare, you can still join the adventure of serving with ACMNP!

We are seeking prayer partners who can commit to praying for their team member on a daily basis and sending him or her encouraging and supportive emails, letters, or packages during the summer. Many challenges await during a summer of service, and your support can make a big difference during those tough days.

To sign up, please email Danielle at admin@acmnp.com. Thank you… we are grateful!

Blessed Earth’s Seminary Stewardship Alliance

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Happy Earth Day!

Blessed Earth is an educational nonprofit that inspires and equips people of faith to become better stewards of the earth. Founders Matthew Sleeth and his wife, Nancy, spoke at the ACMNP 2010 National Board meeting in Grand Canyon National Park. We’re excited about the important work Blessed Earth is doing to protect and preserve God’s creation… particularly with their endeavor called The Seminary Stewardship Alliance.

According to Blessed Earth, this project “brings together seminary leaders who covenant to teach, preach, model, and hold each other accountable for good stewardship practices. Serving as a powerful catalyst for change, the Alliance helps prepare the future pastors of our 300,000 houses of worship to take a leadership role in caring for God’s creation.”

Today, seminary leaders from twelve of the nation’s most respected and influential seminaries gather in Washington, D.C. at the National Cathedral to sign the Seminary Stewardship Alliance Covenant. Founding partners include Asbury Theological Seminary, Columbia Theological Seminary, Denver Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Wake Forest School of Divinity, among others.

Each summer, students from many of these schools serve as team leaders with ACMNP in the parks. Many are also doing so for field education or internship credit at their seminary. These young leaders return to campus in the fall closer to God, with a renewed interest in caring for creation because of their immersion experience in the wilderness. As future pastors in the global church community with the potential to touch millions of lives, we hope our alumni will find ways to take their “lessons learned from the parks” and apply them back into life at home!

Learn more about Blessed Earth.