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Hello everyone!
For those of you who have known and followed my outdoor adventure business, On Trek, you've probably noticed a few changes. For a time it became On Trek Ministries, as the goal of this endeavor became more missions focused than an entrepreneurial one.
I came up with the name "On Trek" back in 2017 with the intention of running an outdoor adventure business that would use experiential education as a tool in the backcountry. I not only wanted to teach a variety of backcountry skills, I wanted to teach Christ through creation - and what a better classroom to do that in than the great outdoors! Placing one in a wilderness setting of any kind presents a variety of challenges both naturally and facilitated. The results of such an experience are priceless and can be life changing. Especially, when you help guide the participants to see through the lens of our Creator. Eyes are opened, actions follow suit and perspective is gained. When you see Christ you gain perspective.
So, fast forward a few years with a few of those said experiences under my belt as an official LLC. I began to question if I was truly an entrepreneur. In a nutshell, I was finding myself more frustrated, much resistance in my mind and I was not able to grab ahold of the logistics when it comes to running a business. I found that my focus was pointed in the wrong direction. It felt as if this grand business idea with much heart behind it was truly going nowhere. My epiphany moment came in a conversation with a friend when I was posed the idea of becoming a non-profit. After he explained the differences in business plans and shared his own observations of this vision, I had immediate peace about changing from an LLC to becoming a non-profit. It was as if a huge weight was lifted and it wasn't about competition anymore. Though I understand non-profits are still businesses that need running, the focus and goal changed completely for me and allowed for missions to be my aim. Though it may sound funny, I had to accept I was not an entrepreneur.
Then came the switch in going from land based excursions to water based. I remember a key time in prayer where I specifically asked the Lord, "What abilities and skills do I have that I could hone in on and sharpen for your glory?" Sailing. Sailing was the outdoor activity I had the most experience and official training in. Though still not a master sailor by any stretch of the imagination, it became clear this was the avenue I was to pursue as a platform to share Christ with others, among the daily routines of everyday life. My love for the outdoors and raw wilderness provoked much research of various islands throughout the world that many have never heard of. Most of which are only accessible by boat considering their small communities and remote locations. Other past experiences like my time in Utah where I studied Adventure Outdoor Programming in college (University of Utah) to a variety of backcountry trips to a missions trip to the interior parts of Alaska (Remote Alaska Missions) all played a part. This fact alone shows the uniqueness of God and His love for variety. He chooses to use us to spread the Good News in many ways considering our personalities, our interests, our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows us better than we do and is only looking for a willing heart to give our life as a sacrifice, be it our all or our nothing, for He can use it all for His honor and glory!
Romans 12:1-2
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
1 Corinthians 1:25-30
"25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"
The year 2019 marked the official switch and ever since then I have been doing much research, praying, networking, sailing and behind the scenes work as this ministry continues to form. At the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022, I thought I should change the name from On Trek to something that had more of a nautical flare. However, I wanted to keep the same idea "trek" exuded - "a long arduous journey on foot." I liked this parallel to life. So, "voyage" came about and after about ten different varieties of names using the word "voyage" I settled on Hope Voyage Ministries. Voyage - "a long journey via the sea." The importance of including hope in the name was timely and of the Lord. Hope has been a topic of study and life experience for me over the past 12 years. While I was brainstorming a new name, the Lord brought "hope" as an unexpected theme throughout my personal Bible study. I came across the passage in Romans 5: 1-11....one I had read hundreds of times before, but this time couldn't break away from. The Lord captivated me with this truth and gave me retrospect of recent happenings in my life.
"1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."
I, like many, have said I've lost all hope. When life's unexpected challenges and trials come our way despite what logic and reason tell us some may even go as far to say hope is dead. But, I couldn't help but see the glorifying truth that hope really can never die! Why? Because Christ Himself IS hope! Yes, He died...for YOU and ME. But, Jesus Christ is in fact very much alive today and is NOT dead. Therefore Hope can never die! Hope is not dead! Trust and believe what Romans 15 tells us...
"13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
Though I knew it before, the Lord solidified it in my heart through a life experience and His Word that our hope is ONLY in the Lord. Our expectation ONLY comes from Him. For it is when our sights are off the one true God when we believe the lie that all hope is lost or even dead.
Psalm 62:5-8
"5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
All that to say...Hope was a key theme in my life personally and I believe the Lord led me to include it in the name as hope was already a part of the ministry's official mission and purpose statements. I believe it to be a key theme in the world as well. Many search and search for hope, but unfortunately in all the wrong places. The world's definition of hope is a frivolous one. One that is fragile and acts as a raging emotional sea of highs and lows of wishful thinking. But guess what...there's REAL hope, my friends. Hope that is stedfast and sure. Hope that WILL endure no matter what storm lies ahead..
My Anchor Holds
"Tho’ the angry surges roll
On my tempest-driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know,
Wildly though the winds may blow,
I’ve an anchor safe and sure,
That can evermore endure.
Refrain: And it holds, my anchor holds: Blow your wildest, then, O gale, On my bark so small and frail; By His grace I shall not fail, For my anchor holds, my anchor holds."
So, join Hope Voyage Ministries as we sail life's sea together, sharing Hope with everyone along the way!
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