After church on Sunday morning, the excitement grew as 82 men and boys walked towards the edge of the river. The sun, only minutes above the trees, had started losing its daily battle to warm the cold water that ran in the crystal clear river. The evening before, around the campfire, one young man asked Jesus to come into his heart and become his personal Savior. Now the young man, undaunted by the cold water, waded into the same river that he paddled down just yesterday. Standing waist deep and shivering, he waited. He waited on the pastor to slowly slide in beside him. Finally, the time came and the pastor lowered him below the water. As he arose breathless and cleansed of his sins, cheers and applause erupted from the men gathered around. It was at that moment that we knew that God had blessed the third annual Explore God’s World men’s canoe trip.

Explore God’s World all started in March 2007 with eight men going canoe camping in the Okefenokee Swamp. Selfishly, this trip had been put together because there were several men that needed to get away for the weekend. After a four-hour car ride and a 10-mile paddle into the swamp to a 24-foot by 24-foot wooden platform, it is hard to find a place that is any further away from the daily distractions of life. Little did we know that the annual Explore God’s World men’s canoe trip was being born.

In late 2007, God lead us to Goose Pasture campground located on the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area just outside of Lamont, Florida. Goose Pasture is a primitive campground where there is no electricity, no running water, no bath house, and cell phones do not always work. However, it is a great place for a base camp. The Wacissa River, the Econfina River, the Aucilla River, and the Gulf of Mexico are located within 15 miles. This makes for a paddler’s paradise as more than 70 miles of paddling are within minutes of the campsite. The Wacissa River, a clear water river formed by 12 springs, actually forms the western most border of the Goose Pasture campground.

The lack of modern conveniences creates an awesome environment for the main purpose of our trip–praise, worship, and sharing the gospel of Jesus. Each night, after dinner, the campfire comes alive. It is amazing to see how God uses praise songs and a campfire message to bring His word to life. Words cannot describe the feeling of God being in the midst of a group of men gathered around the campfire.

Each year, God has and continues to use this trip to encourage men in their personal walk with Him. The nightly worship service, the fellowship of Christian men, and the adventure of the river all speak to men’s hearts. He has saved men because of this trip. He has used this trip to heal men when they were hurting. He has cemented friendships and created lasting ones with people that had never met before. He has allowed fathers and sons to spend some quality time together and get to know each other again. He continues to amaze us just how He uses this trip to impact the men and boys that attend.

Terry Nicholson and his three sons attended this past March after a friend from work invited him. After returning home, Explore God’s World received an email from Terry saying, “We enjoyed ourselves so much. The food, canoe trips, and good Christian fellowship were some of the best I have ever experienced.” Another first timer from Ohio wrote, “Praise God for giving you the vision and the means to follow through, as well as, give us the opportunity to Explore God’s World.”

Over the past few years, God has shown us that you do not have to get into a canoe or go to a campground to have a great adventure. All you have to do is admit that you are a sinner, ask Jesus to forgive give you of your sins, ask Him to come into your heart to save you from those sins, and then live your life for Him. This will be the greatest adventure you can ever experience.

EExplore God’s World is a fledgling Christian adventure ministry. We are working on putting together other events such as camping, hiking, cycling, and paddling trips for the entire family.

For more information about the annual men’s canoe trip, upcoming events, or events that you would be interested in seeing, contact Jamie Brack at exploregodsworld@cox.net or 478-361-4305.