As followers of Jesus Christ, it is our endeavor to pursue Christ's likeness (2 Corinthians 3:8).  So we must examine how Jesus lived through His interaction with others, how He was stregnthened and purified, the things He endured throughout His life, and His purpose for living. Jesus spent time in the wilderness to allow Him to discover God's purpose in His life and to allow God to prepare Him for ministry. During this time Jesus was tested physically and spiritually; and the Holy Spirit ministered to him (Luke 4:1-15). Through a wilderness ministry, followers of Christ and unbelievers can discover God's purpose in their life and how to "walk in Christ" as they serve him.   Ephesians 5:15 tells us to "Look carefully then how you walk!  Live purposefully..."  Whether backpacking through the rugged terrain of the Wrangell Mountains or paddling on any of Alaska's remote wilderness rivers, individuals and groups will be tested physically and spiritually. This provides opportunities for God to speak and minister to individuals through relationships with others, the creation, His Spirit, and His Word. The skills and lessons learned by experiencing the natural wilderness will help participants to live a more rewarding life in their everyday "wilderness" experiences back home.   Elements Found in a Wilderness Ministry

Exposes people to "the creation" and their creation by God.  In the Bible (Romans 1:20), it says that God's character is revealed in the things that He has made, found in His creation.  And because of this, we have no excuse to deny His existence. Being out in God's creation allows a person to be intentional in seeking God, void of many of the distractions we find in urban settings.

Teaches people to understand, respect, and responsibly live in the wilderness environment.   In Psalm 24:1,2, it says, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;  for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters."  The Bible is clear that everything is God's and He has given us the gift of life and creation to be good stewards over.

Allows a person to examine the basics of their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual life.   God's creation is incredibly healing and revealing!  Away from many of the distractions of society (TV, phones, video games), a person can enter into a time of deep thought and introspection.  A person who is intentional with digging deeper into who they are, why they live, and where they are going in life can leave that seeking time with more perspective about these things.  This is done through having reflective time, solos, and quiet time with God.

Allows a group, a body of people, to experience and understand each others lives as separate individuals and as a connected body.   As a group of people set forth on an wilderness trip, away from the distractions they are used to back home, relationships begin to develop.  Many times those relationships develop more quickly in wilderness settings due to the style of the trip: a body of people together constantly on a life changing adventure.  This provides opportunities for individuals to understand each other and come together as a connected body.

Develops a sense of community versus isolation; relationships are evaluated in the wilderness and lessons applied to relationships at home.   Success in overcoming challenges that are faced by a body of people as they come together require group knowledge of strengths and weaknesses.  Victory of the team requires working together, which many times develops a camaraderie amongst the group.  These principles are crucial to success of relationships back home.

Stresses cooperation versus competition; life in the wilderness demands dependence on others and a servant's heart.   Wilderness adventures in a group setting provides an outstanding platform to develop the heart of a servant.

An atmosphere of relaxation is promoted versus the rush of everyday living; this allows a person the opportunity to "listen" to themselves, others, the creation, and God.  Christ spent time alone being ministered to and renewed by God.  David, "a man after God's own heart" spent extended periods of time in the wilderness alone being strengthened by God's presence and His word.  And God's creation spoke to David's heart in immense ways!  He could look at a thunderstorm crashing in from the north, setting forests ablaze and floods raging, and claim, 'GLORY!'..."the voice of the Lord is powerful" (Psalm 29).

Provides an element of "danger," insecurity, which develops a feeling of trust and confidence in oneself, others, and God.  Followers of Christ will attest that truly pusuing Christ's likeness is not easy and it involves risk, danger, and certainly getting out of your comfort zone.  But the Bible is clear that going through trials, with Christ as your guide and lead, will bring you freedom, victory, and make you more mature and complete (James 1). Pressings through tough times, with God as your peace, strength and deliverer, and knowing that He will bring you through them, makes going those times easier because they produce good results.  He is shaping you into who He wants you to be!  God uses growing people, not perfect ones!  Wilderness trips do involve risk and a temporary surrender of security...but that is where growth and life change happens!  And if we, as followers of Christ, are not willing step out into the unknown with God and trust Him, we will never walk in the fullness of what He has for us as individuals.  Ask, seek, knock, trust...He is on your side!

Give God the glory!  Most importantly, through intentionally acknowledging God as the creator and sustainer of life, we give Him the glory!  Exploring the world we live in and experiencing true wilderness has some value.  The problem is, many worship the creation and the adventure and don't acknowledge that the earth and the rest of the universe is divinely inspired and created by a God who has a plan.  These people finish a trip and perhaps they are renewed for a short time and have built and deepened relationships on that trip.  But deep down inside, they want more!  And more...and more!  They can never get enough and they are running out of time (in life)!  They have made wilderness exploration their god and a replacement for the One and only True God. God has designed us as humans, created in His image, to be needy for Him.  And there is nothing else in the universe that can satisfy.  People try to fill the hole with material wealth, what they do, being explorers of vast, unreached places of the earth, or even filling their lives with serving other people, which is a great thing.  But in the end, it does not fully satisfy!  Deriving one's identity from anything other than God is a "chasing after the wind."  It's all meaningless without God! By intentionally seeking God in the wilderness and giving Him the glory, we can go through that adventure with purpose, have an expectation that He is going to reveal something in us that we need to change or learn, and so many other awesome things He will add to our lives. "The Lord will guide you always; He will satify your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."  Isaiah 58:11   "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."  Jeremiah 6:16

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