Canyon Ministries

                      In this issue:          - 2008 trips are filling up

                                                    - Scholarship fund update 

                                                    - Testimony 

                                                    - Answers Magazine uses the Grand

                                                      Canyon as evidence

                                                    - JOBSS, a free online Creation

                                                       based technical journal

                                                    - Ministries needs

It is hard to believe we are at the time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior.  We pray the Christmas season will bring us all closer to our Creator.

2008 trips are filling up: Trips for the upcoming 2008 season are filling fast and we are already receiving a significant number of inquiries about the 2009 season.

7-day trips are almost full.  We still have a few seats available on the special “homeschool trip” with AiG’s Buddy Davis and his wife, Kay, on May 10th.  There are also seats available on the August 8th trip.

Creation Safaris will be teaming with us again next year for a 3-day trip on May 24th, and the May 16th trip has lots of seats available.

Need a Christmas idea?  Over the last few weeks we have had several folks signing up for trips as Christmas presents.  It’s a bit hard to fit under the tree, but we’ll send you a gift certificate that will fit nicely.The schedule for 2008 can be seen to the left, so check your calendar and sign up online today!

Scholarship Fund*:  Nine scholarships have already been awarded for the 2008 season and more will be given as funds become available.

2008 will see the launch of the first Christian Scholars’ Trip aimed at "influencing the influencers."  We are excited that the Lord has already provided over half of the necessary funding and that the trip roster now has only 3 open seats.  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.

Testimony:  The following is from one of our guests last summer.  His words tell it all!

 

 My initial impression was that a 7-day trip on a river was probably too long a trip.  I thought perhaps 5 would be the correct length.  Three days into our journey I realized that 7 days would not be long enough.

 

It was an adventure in every sense of the term, from the initial briefing to the flight out of the canyon by helicopter.  It involved the physical elements of risk and thrills, emotionally, the stress of multiple personalities sharing your space on a small piece of rubber and finally a spiritual journey through time bringing me ever closer to my Lord.  From beginning to end our trip was filled with surprises at every turn.

 

Whenever you meet a new group of people it is always fun to watch and see how we do life together.  In this adventure it occurs quickly.  We are all needed to help in a variety of ways, which makes the trip a great deal more enjoyable for all.  This results in getting to know everyone quickly.

 

I have traveled many places in the world from some of the finest hotels to sleeping on the sand in the Sahara, each one a different and an enjoyable experience.  However, not one can compare to life on the river.

 

I do not believe I have ever enjoyed greater peace with my Lord and myself as I did on this trip.  Tom Vail is a special man who enjoys sharing the passion of his heart.  He does so with much objectivity giving as much detail about the Canyon as is possible.  The trip down this awesome natural wonder would have been great without him but with him it was life changing for me.

 

If the earth is 6 million years old or 6 thousand years old it didn't seem to this believer to make much of a difference to my faith or love of Christ.  I know God is the creator of all but Tom's explanations [of the evidence supporting a young earth] challenged me to expand my thinking on this subject that resulted in significant impact.  He presented both sides of this argument with sensitivity and insight.  He reviewed the conventional geological evolutionary discussion, the one I have grown up with and then the Biblical creationists' view and compared them side-by-side.  There could be no denying that there indeed must have been a global flood that laid the foundation to this magnificent creation.  To see the layer upon layer of rock, like a layer cake, and to touch the rock that may very well be the result of 3rd day creation as stated in Genesis, left me overwhelmed with awe, fear and humility of who God is.

 

Tom's passion is not that you accept his 27 years of experience and his resulting conclusion but rather that you would leave this canyon adventure having seen and experienced the truth of God's word.  We can believe the entire word of God and walk in bolder faith then ever before.

 

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. 

For me this adventure leaves me wanting more of God and all He has for me.  This is a trip that if at all possible you need to make.  Please see it through Tom Vail's eyes and passion.  You will leave it enriched and changed...Ed, Colorado Springs, CO

 

Answers Magazine uses the Grand Canyon as evidence: Dr. Andrew Snelling, Answers in Genesis’ Director of Research, is doing a six-part article on “six geologic evidences for the Genesis Flood.”  It is interesting that in his overview in the recent Answers Magazine, he used the Grand Canyon formations as examples for all six.  The picture is an example of a nautiloid fossil found in the Canyon.

 

Here is what he said:

 

     Evidence #1: Fossils of sea creatures high above sea level due to the ocean waters having

     flooded over the continents.  We find fossils of sea creatures in rock layers that cover all the

     continents. For example, most of the rock layers in the walls of Grand Canyon (more than a

     mile above sea level) contain marine fossils. Fossilized shellfish are even found in the Himalayas.

 

Some of this information is also on our Eight Grand Canyon Evidences found on our website, which Dr. Snelling helped produce.

 

JOBSS - The Journal of Biblical and Scientific Studies: This online journal contains some of the latest fascinating research on creation science, apologetics, and Biblical authority issues. JOBSS is an Answers in Genesis project designed to equip Christians to defend the Christian faith by presenting cutting-edge research from a Biblical perspective.  Check it out on the web at:  JOBSS

 

Ministries needs:  The youth trips we run require transporting boats to the river.  We are in need of a flatbed trailer that is 8’ wide by 15’ to 20’ in length with tandem axles.  If you have one and would like to donate it as a tax deductable donation to Canyon Ministries, please give us a call.

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Please forward this message to any of your friends you think might be interested in a Christ-centered Grand Canyon river trip (you can use the little email icon at the top of this page)