Canyon Ministries

 In this issue:  

     - 2007 season recap

     - 2008 trip schedule

     - Scholarship fund

     - Deer Creek changes

     - Testimony

     - AiG’s Creation Museum   

Greetings from Canyon Ministries!
 

As our 11th year of ministry in the Grand Canyon comes to a close, we are awed by what the Lord has done and how He has guided and directed our steps.  And we look forward to what He has in store for 2008.

2007 season recap: Canyon Ministries launched 11 trips this year, sharing the Canyon with about 275 people.  If you have been to the Canyon, you know it can be an amazing experience.  We see lives enriched by the experience people have in the Canyon.  Whether it be for 3 days or 9, it can draw you closer to the Lord, as one of our guests this summer wrote:

"This experience left me with wonderful memories and enriched friendships not unlike other trips before.  However, this one has given me a wonderment of my Lord.  It has given me a deeper view of God and a greater conviction that I can trust everything His word says."  Ed, Colorado Springs, CO

We shared the Canyon with folks from all walks of life - from white collar to blue collar to no collar.  The beauty of the Canyon is that it cares not the "color" of your collar, it has a message for all.  That message is not the same for everyone, but for most, it is a message that brings you closer to your Creator.

2008 trip schedule:  The schedule for 2008 is out and you can make your reservations online through our website.  Next year, AiG has 3 trips scheduled and there will be a special "homeschool trip" on May 10th accompanied by AiG's Buddy Davis and his wife Kay.  Canyon Ministries has one 7-day and five 3-day trips on the schedule.  Trips are starting to fill up, so check your calendar and sign up on-line today!

Scholarship Fund:  In 2007, Canyon Ministries' scholarship fund* provided trips for 11 people on a variety of 3 and 7-day trips.  Recipients included pastors, missionaries and ministry leaders from across the country.

The last newsletter announced that, in cooperation with Answers in Genesis, 2008 will see the launch of the first Christian Scholars' Trip aimed at "influencing the influencers." The objective is to provide scholars from seminaries and Bible colleges an opportunity to experience the Canyon in an environment of teaching and open discussion that will result in strengthening the participants' faith in the literal truth of Genesis.  This trip will be scholarshiped and needs much prayer and support.  We are excited that the Lord has already provided half of the required funding and that the trip roster is over half-filled with scholars from 10 different institutions.

For more information or to get involved, see the Scholarship information page on our website.

*Canyon Ministries' scholarship fund, falls under a separate non-profit (501(c)3) corporation.  River trips are run through Canyon Ministries Tours, LLC. 

Deer Creek changes:  For those of you who have traveled the upper Canyon, you will probably remember Deer Creek Falls (pictured right).  It is a 110' waterfall just 50 yards from the river.  We often hike to the top of the falls and/or camp just across the river from it.  Some of you saw a small flash flood at Deer Creek last summer while camped there.  Well, on July 27th of this year, Deer Creek flashed really big!  It took out big trees, moved boulders and remodeled the area at the base of the falls.  Someone who was camped across from the fall posted a short video of the flash flood on YouTube.  Check it out at Flash Flood.

Testimony:  The following is from one of our guests last summer.  She didn't need to stop at the gift shop for a souvenir!

The main impression left on me by my trip through the Grand Canyon was the recognition of its message from a perfect, holy, sovereign God.  Many people come to the Grand Canyon to experience the beauty of God's creation.  But as Tom shared with us on the very first day, the canyon has more than one message.  Although it shows evidence of God's creation, the canyon as we see it today also sends a thundering message of God's judgment on a world broken by sin.  As I read again through Genesis 6-9, my Bible is brought to life in a new way.  I'm no longer limited to seeing black print on white pages.  Now I see the magnificent 3-dimensional, living color geological message inscribed so clearly by the hand of God on the canyon walls.

 

At one point in the trip we stood at the level of what most creation geologists believe to be Day 3 creation rock in Blacktail Canyon.  I was in awe as we stood there in what someone referred to as the "womb of creation."  Everything above that level had God's judgment written all over it.  But looking up at the looming walls of His wrath, I could see the blue sky above - the light of God's grace pouring down upon me.  Because of Jesus Christ, I was not under the judgment pronounced.  By no merit of my own, but by His amazing grace, I could stand secure in the love of Christ knowing that I would spend eternity with Him - forgiven and free.  I was brought to a deeper awareness of my sin.  I saw that the words of Genesis 6:6,

 

"The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart."

 

apply as much to me as the words of John 3:16-18,

 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  He who believes in Him is not judged;"

 

I cried for my own sin, for God's grace in sending His Son to die for me, and for my desire to share His gospel message with those who do not yet know Him.

 

It's common for vacationers to stop in at a gift shop on their way home from their travels, picking up some memento so that they can reminisce about their trip after they have returned to their every-day lives.  But God has used the canyon to awaken a deeper passion for the lost in my heart - no purchased trinket could ever compare to that priceless gift.

 

Christine, Sun Valley, CA

AiG's Creation Museum:  Paula and I had an opportunity to visit AiG's Creation Museum recently and it is truly amazing!  Nowhere else can you go to a large (60,000 square foot) state-of-the-art museum and hear the real truth on so many subjects and learn how it all supports and upholds the Word of God.  Congratulations to AiG for developing a truly first-class facility.  It should be on everyone's list of things to do (right below doing a river trip with Canyon Ministries, of course).

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Thank you for praying for Canyon Ministries and keeping in touch with us. We are excited about what the Lord is doing, and hope you will be able to join us on a Christ-centered rafting trip that is truly a trip of a lifetime. We take children age eight and older, so bring the family, gather some friends, and let’s go boatin’!!

Please forward this message to any of your friends you think might be interested in a Christ-centered Grand Canyon river trip.