The last two days on the trail were nothing short of incredible.

Thursday was a day of perseverance and breakthrough.
The boys did amazing on the trail. There were challenges, long stretches, and moments where it would have been easy to complain—but instead, they leaned in. They pushed through the hard moments and proved to themselves that they are capable of far more than they originally believed. Watching their confidence grow with each step has been powerful.

That morning, we spent time talking about how God desires a personal relationship with each one of them—not something distant or out of reach, but something real, personal, and life-giving. Throughout the day, we began to see walls come down. The boys started letting go of the “masks” they often wear and began showing up as their true selves. There has been a noticeable shift as trust deepens and authenticity takes root within the group.

Friday brought both deeper truth and incredible joy.
During our morning devotional, we talked about sin—how it separates us from God and how “the wages of sin is death.” The boys participated in a powerful visual activity where they attempted to “jump” across a gap to reach God, only to realize they couldn’t do it on their own. It was a clear and meaningful picture of our need for a Savior.

Once again, the boys crushed it on the trail—pushing hard, encouraging each other, and even breaking into trail songs along the way. After the hike, they got the chance to simply be kids—swimming in the river, catching crayfish, and enjoying moments full of smiles and joy.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day was when the boys took time to speak affirmations over one another. It was incredible to hear the encouragement, the truth, and the love they shared. These are boys who, just days ago, barely knew each other—and now they are building each other up with genuine care and respect!

Of course, no day would be complete without a little adventure—including a legendary “Sasquatch hike” that brought plenty of excitement and laughter along the way.

As the Hike came to a close, Saturday marked a powerful finish.
The group spent time in devotions talking about the hope we have in salvation through Christ—how Jesus is the bridge that closes the gap sin created. The boys had the opportunity to respond to that truth, and for some, that meant making the decision to accept Christ into their lives! There is no greater moment than that.

The group completed the hike—an incredible accomplishment and a testament to their growth, resilience, and determination. They celebrated well with a pizza party, full of laughter and well-earned joy.

The afternoon was spent down by the water—rope swinging, fishing, and even a little wrestling in the river. It was the perfect mix of adventure and celebration.

As the evening settled in, the boys shared pieces of their life stories with one another. These moments were raw, honest, and deeply meaningful—a reflection of just how much trust has been built over the course of the week.

The night ended the best way possible—camped under the stars, surrounded by creation, community, and the quiet reminder of God’s presence.

This week has been filled with growth, courage, truth, and transformation. We are so proud of these boys and all that they have stepped into—not just on the trail, but in their hearts.

More to come as we celebrate all that God has done!