A new frontier for discipleship is birthed with each new generation, and as the cutting edge of culture advances with the young, the church must engage the battle for their hearts. At Montana Bible College, we believe that Biblical principles of discipleship apply in every generation. Still, discernment is needed to engage the worldview of young men and women and call them to follow Jesus.
The Outdoor Discipleship Concentration equips students to shepherd young people into relationship with Jesus and onward toward maturity in Christ and Kingdom ministry. Students will learn how to apply discipleship principles to young people in the contexts of the local church, camp and adventure ministries, and personal relationships with small groups and individuals. Outdoor adventure ministries are explored in depth both as a direct ministry tool and as a paradigm for discipleship by walking with young people through real-life situations.
We recognize that many young people make significant decisions for the Lord and take great strides in their faith when stretched and challenged in environments where distractions are removed and real-life challenges are confronted. But, when the experience can easily overshadow the objective, it is important that leaders are competent to direct adventure participants toward the Biblical and spiritual significance of their experiences. NOTE: The fall semester of the senior year is to be taken at Camp Bighorn which specializes in outdoor discipleship and adventure ministry. See the following page for more description of this special semester. Approximately $500 of additional costs are associated with this semester and are detailed in the financial section of the catalog.
In addition to the general objectives of the B.A. degree, students completing this concentration will be able to:
- Disciple youth in the context of the local church.
- Provide institutional leadership and effectively counsel students in a Christian camp environment.
- Leverage real-life situations for their disciple-making potential.
- Lead and direct wilderness adventure ministry experiences in a manner that is safe, Biblically grounded, and oriented toward the spiritual growth of the participants.
A Semester at Camp Bighorn
Camp Bighorn is a leader in the adventure ministry industry and has partnered in college outdoor education since 1998. The camp is situated in the beautiful Clark Fork Valley near Plains, Montana, alongside the Clark Fork River. As a student for a semester in Camp Bighorn’s Journey program, you will join a cohort of students from other universities such as Prairie Bible College, Multnomah University, and Corban College. You will live and study on site at Camp Bighorn. See the list of courses for the fall semester of the senior year and their corresponding course descriptions in this catalog to understand the academic focus of this program.
In addition to classroom time, students will gain personal and leadership skills in the following adventure areas: rock climbing, whitewater kayaking and rafting, backpacking, mountain biking, and challenge course facilitation. The emphasis of the Journey program is not simply to master skills, but rather to use the adventures as tools to examine how God forms His people through community, creation, and challenge.
Imagine yourself with a close-knit group of students, immersed in the Montana wilderness. All you need for the day is in the pack on your back. It’s the simplified life. It’s community. It’s discipleship through adventure.
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 Tom Collins – Director |
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Students enrolled in this program will be required to bring some outdoor clothing and basic backpacking equipment. For a full gear list, visit http://www.campbighorn.org/bh/journeygear.
For additional information about Camp Bighorn, visit their web site at www.campbighorn.com.