Our Story
Thrive is an experiential ministry. Our purpose is to guide people to faith in Jesus Christ and to help them put the Word to practice in their own lives, building the Kingdom of God deep and wide through experiential learning in the outdoors. Ultimately we live to serve and glorify Christ.
Mission
To create life-giving experiences so that all may know Christ and be like Him.
Vision
We envision a world where the Gospel is being experienced.
Strategic Priorities
- To develop healthy Christian communities.
- To develop disciples of Christ.
- To share the Gospel.
Our Values
TRANSPARENCY
Being open and honest, therefore building trust and accountability..
COURAGE
Acting in faith and trusting God to accomplish His purposes.
GROWTH
The belief that we can change to become more like Christ.
Benefits of a Thrive Experience
MEMORABLE
Shared experiences that last a lifetime.
GROWTH ORIENTED
Grow in the areas of faith, relationships, character, and leadership.
PURPOSEFUL
Intentional in pursuing the relationships that matter most – God, spouse, children, church, friends.
What do we do: Reconciling people to God.
Given the ministry of reconciliation, therefore we are ambassadors
for Christ. (2 Co 5:17-21)
Why do we do it: So people may have life and thrive.
“I came that they might have life and have it to the full.”
John 10:10b “This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have
sent.” John 17:3
How do we do it: Guiding people to Christ.
We do this through experiences, community impact, and spiritual disciplines.
Why we exist.
Thrive is unique in that we offer experiences that allow people to practice living out God’s Word. Through indoor activities and outdoor adventures we create opportunities for believers and not-yet believers to experience the Gospel, involving them emotionally, physically, relationally, and mentally in the process of spiritual development. Simply put, we help people encounter God and become more like Him by learning from life.
As a friend, Dave Blakkolb, once said, “The greater the sensory involvement, the greater the learning potential.” Humans tend to remember those lessons learned through experiences that involved their whole person. We create whole-person experiences revolving around Biblical truth and application, so that participants see the relevance of the Word in their lives, and begin to apply what they’ve learned on the spot, so that their character and relationships grow in the moment.
Using the outdoors as our training grounds, participants have the added benefit of seeing the mighty hand of God in Creation, which we know speaks for itself. “For his invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
Too many of us have a headful of knowledge about God, but fail to practice what we know to be true. We settle into our sin as if these are just character flaws that have nothing to do with us. And yet, God commands us to be holy and to “make every effort” to add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. (2 Peter 1:5-10.) He never tells us to settle. All of humanity, and certainly the Body of Christ, is created to thrive.
If we are to build God’s Kingdom here on earth, and to be His Kingdom, then our families, our children, our churches, and our very lives must reflect Him. Thrive exists for that vital mission.
visit our three locations.
Finding Rest For Your Soul
Developing Godly Families
Guiding People Towards Christ
Statement of Faith
SCRIPTURES
WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS GOD’S INFALLIBLE WORD, WRITTEN WITHOUT ERRORS, COMPRISED OF THE SIXTY-SIX BOOKS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. AS THE GOD-BREATHED, INSPIRED WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY IN ALL MATTERS OF FAITH AND PRACTICE.
GOD
WE BELIEVE IN ONE TRUE GOD WHO ETERNALLY EXISTS IN THREE PERSONS, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT. EACH MEMBER OF THE HOLY TRINITY EQUALLY POSSESSES ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF DEITY AS WELL AS CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONALITY.
JESUS CHRIST
WE BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST IS GOD, THE LIVING WORD, WHO WAS MIRACULOUSLY CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ENTERED THE WORLD THROUGH THE VIRGIN BIRTH. HENCE, HIS NATURE IS PERFECT DEITY AND TRUE HUMANITY UNITED IN ONE PERSON FOREVER. WE BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST LIVED A SINLESS LIFE, VOLUNTARILY ATONED FOR THE SINS THROUGH HIS DEATH BY THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD ON THE CROSS, AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD IN THE SAME BODY, THOUGH GLORIFIED, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. THUS, HE SATISFIED DIVINE JUSTICE AND ACCOMPLISHED SALVATION FOR ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM ALONE. WE BELIEVE IN OUR LORD’S BODILY ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN WHERE HE SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD AS THE ONLY MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN WHO CONTINUALLY MAKES INTERCESSION FOR HIS OWN. HE IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH, HIS BODY, WHICH IS COMPOSED OF ALL MEN AND WOMEN, LIVING AND DEAD, WHO HAVE JOINED TO HIM THROUGH SAVING FAITH. JESUS CHRIST WILL RETURN PHYSICALLY TO EARTH TO CONSUMMATE GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN.
BELIEVER/CHURCH
WE BELIEVE GOD ADMONISHES HIS PEOPLE TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER REGULARLY FOR WORSHIP IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN ORDINANCES, RECEIVE EDIFICATION THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES AND DRAW STRENGTH FROM MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT. WE ADHERE TO THE LORD’S COMMAND TO ALL BELIEVERS TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES IN EVERY NATION. WHEN BELIEVERS FOLLOW THE LORD’S MANDATE TO HELP FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION, ALL WORLDLY AND PERSONAL AMBITIONS MUST BE IN A POSITION OF SUBORDINATION TO A TOTAL COMMITMENT TO “HIM WHO LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR US.”
MAN
WE BELIEVE ADAM AND EVE WERE ORIGINALLY CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, DISOBEYED THROUGH SIN, AND AS A RESULT, BECAME ALIENATED FROM THEIR CREATOR. THE HISTORIC ACT OF REBELLION RESULTED IN THE FALL, PASSING ON TO ALL MANKIND DIVINE CONDEMNATION. WE BELIEVE MAN’S NATURE IS CORRUPT, TOTALLY UNABLE TO PLEASE GOD, AND THUS, IN NEED OF REGENERATION AND RENEWAL BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
SALVATION
WE BELIEVE SALVATION IS WHOLLY A WORK OF GOD’S GRACE FREELY GIVEN; IT IS NOT THE WORK, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OF HUMAN WORKS, GOODNESS OR RELIGIOUS PRACTICE. FOR THOSE WHO PUT THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE FOR SALVATION, GOD IMPUTES HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRANSFERS THEM INTO HIS SPIRITUAL KINGDOM. THE PRIVILEGE OF EVERY BELIEVER IS TO HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION FROM THE MOMENT OF TRUSTING CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR. THE BELIEVER’S ASSURANCE OF HIS ETERNAL DESTINY IS NOT BASED ON HUMAN MERIT BUT UPON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WITNESSES TO THE INDIVIDUAL’S SPIRIT ABOUT BELONGING TO GOD AND THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WRITTEN WORD. WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH UPON DEATH THE BELIEVER IMMEDIATELY ENTERS THE ETERNAL, CONSCIOUS FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD, AWAITING RESURRECTION OF HIS BODY TO EVERLASTING GLORY AND BLESSING. IN CONTRAST, THE UNBELIEVER UPON DEATH IMMEDIATELY ENTERS ETERNAL, CONSCIOUS SEPARATION FROM THE LORD, AWAITING RESURRECTION OF HIS BODY TO EVERLASTING JUDGMENT AND CONDEMNATION.
HOLY SPIRIT
WE BELIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME INTO THE WORLD TO REVEAL AND GLORIFY JESUS CHRIST AND TO APPLY HIS SAVING WORK TO ALL THOSE WHO TRUST HIM. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS SINNERS OF THEIR NEED FOR CHRIST, IMPARTS NEW LIFE, SEALS THEM UNTIL THE DAY OF REDEMPTION, AND CONTINUALLY INDWELLS BELIEVERS. EVERY BELIEVER IS CALLED TO LIVE IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S FULLNESS BY FAITH SO AS NOT TO FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH BUT TO BEAR FRUIT TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
MARRIAGE
GOD HAS CREATED MARRIAGE AND DEFINED IT AS THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP, BLESSED BY GOD, BETWEEN ONE BIOLOGICAL MAN AND ONE BIOLOGICAL WOMAN ( GENESIS 2:24, MATTHEW 19:4-6). THE MARRIAGE COVENANT IS SACRED AND REFLECTIVE OF JESUS’ RELATIONSHIP TO HIS CHURCH (EPHESIANS 5:32).