Prayer hiking? – The walk

On all of my social media, you’ll see my name pinned to the tag «Prayer Hiking.» So what’s up with that? you might ask.

In 2014, as student ministry director, my boss, the senior pastor, asked me to take our high school students on a backpacking trip to the Smoky Mountains. I have always loved the outdoors and have gone hiking on many occasions, but I have NEVER backpacked. This was all new to me. I did some research and asked questions and luckily another more experienced leader was also attending. That first walk to our shelter was absolutely beautiful! As always it is nature.

We hiked just a few miles from Newfound Gap to Icewater Spring Shelter on the Appalachian Trail, where we unpacked and began setting up camp. Shortly after, a couple of hikers who seemed a little more knowledgeable than us entered the shelter and asked if there was room for them. As you can guess, they were hikers!! My students (and I) were amazed! We tried not to bother them, but they were more than friendly and willing to share their love and knowledge of the trail with us.

That’s when I fell in love with the trail, and that night at the shelter, I prayed that one day I’d be able to hike the Appalachian Trail too. So here I am 12 years later, after much waiting (and training) “Prayer Walk”. Now is the time to share MY love of the trail with others, as they so graciously did with us. I may not be a great writer, but I love participating in creation and encouraging others to do the same. So let’s climb the AT in 2026. Let’s do it!!

To the Green Giant and Voldemort: You showed me the love and companionship of the trail and I will be forever grateful. Thank you!!

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