i like dreaming…

I had the opportunity to sit down with some like-minded, Jesus-following, outdoor enthusiasts tonight to dream out loud.  We’re thinking through some of the possibilities for an outdoor ministry located in the Centre Region.  Let me tell you, this idea has got my blood pumpin’!

This isn’t the first time that the idea has been explored.  A number of years ago several of these same people sat around a table and shared their heart, passion, and vision for what could be.  The idea even got legs for a little while.  Some young bucks launched a ministry called Mordecai Waters.  But it was a short-lived adventure, and the main proponents all headed for other parts of the country.

But this time seems to be a little different in terms of focus.  I’m not sure what the original vision/mission was, but we’re looking at this from the vantage point of a vital question:

What can we do to bless the community we live in?

The Centre Region is a fabulous place to live, full of incredible outdoor opportunities.  I’ve said it before:  we don’t have the best of anything when it comes to outdoor pursuits, but we’ve got loads of really good places to play, explore, and test yourself in God’s creation.  There are already little pockets of enthusiasts all over–mountain bikers, climbers, cavers, backpackers, kayakers…

What if we developed a way to network them, to help them connect with each other, to grow their skills and expand the love of their sports?  What if we incorporated a piece that would give at-risk youth the opportunity to get outdoors, build some good relationships with older mentors, and taught them valuable life-skills while they got some much needed exercise?

Dan Nold is fond of saying that the church without walls builds buildings to bless its community.

I’m thinking that the church without walls also begins programs to bless the people who live in the community.  I’m thinking that it’s time we Get Out!

What do you think?