STRANDED: Preparing Hearts for the Hard Places

This is a recap of the first Stranded training event in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

From rock climbing and rappelling off cliffs to sleeping on uncomfortable terrain with little to no gear, our students were constantly being thrown into challenging situations. This nine-day course was designed to stretch the students physically, mentally, and spiritually—helping them discern God's calling while giving them a realistic glimpse of what ministry in some of the world's hardest places can be like. This small but mighty team learned resilience, perseverance, and—most importantly—how to function as a team while preparing for wherever God may lead them around the world.

One of the greatest strengths of STRANDED this year was the diversity of people who poured into the students. Throughout the training, pastors, military veterans, rock climbers, businessmen, humanitarian workers, and even a gold miner shared their knowledge, life experiences, and wisdom. Each instructor brought a unique perspective on faithfully following Christ in different environments and vocations.

The students learned practical survival skills such as filtering water, foraging for food, setting traps, building shelters, and starting fires. But the training went far beyond wilderness survival. They also spent intentional time alone with God, studied what it means to share the hope of Jesus, and heard firsthand stories from people who have stepped out in faith. They met individuals serving the homeless, caring for foster children, leading tent ministries, and faithfully living on mission in their everyday lives.

Perhaps the most important part of STRANDED wasn't learning how to survive in the wilderness—it was giving students the time, tools, and guidance to prayerfully discern whether God may be calling to take the story of His Hope to a dark, dangerous, or difficult place.