The first night of the summer I was with two other ACMNP team members, feeling uncertain of how this summer would turn out. All the employees who were already on the mountain found out that we were a part of ACMNP, which brought feelings of uneasiness to the people around us. As discouraging as it sounds, I think this response was the best we could have asked for.

From there our team grew and as our co-workers got to know us, they discovered that we were not there to condemn or judge anyone, but to love them and simply live out the mission of our summer.

We were able to be real with others and show them that Jesus is not about shame or rules or judgement, but He is full of grace and love. He also is not about narrow-mindedness or forcing conversions, but He does call us to Himself and only He can change a heart of stone.

I cannot do anything more but plant a seed. The Lord must do the rest. It was beautiful to live as an example and see others’ views of Christianity shift. I would say that the mission of the summer was achieved!

Kristian G., Mount Rainier National Park, 2017