In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, many churches have unintentionally confined discipleship to four walls—missing a key component of how Jesus taught His followers. But what if we returned to a more ancient, biblical model? What if we embraced both of God’s books—the written Word and His creation—as tools for spiritual formation?
In this compelling article, Joel Vermillion, the director of Wilderness Ministry Institute (WMI), challenges us to rethink how we engage the next generation in discipleship. Drawing from Paul’s letter to the Romans, the wisdom of church fathers, and the example of Jesus Himself, the article explores how creation serves as a powerful, God-ordained classroom. The message is clear: there is no contradiction between what we learn about God in Scripture and what we witness in nature. Instead, they work together to reveal His truth, character, and divine power.
Whether you are a pastor, youth leader, or someone passionate about raising up the next generation in faith, this thought-provoking piece will inspire you to step outside, engage with God’s creation, and embrace a holistic approach to discipleship. If you need help reach out to Wilderness Ministry Institute (WMI). WMI has been equipping church leaders worldwide to incorporate outdoor ministry into their disciple-making efforts for nearly 30 years.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, — his eternal power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse. – Romans 1:20
In this well known passage from Romans, Paul’s discussion of the righteousness of God and the unrighteousness of man includes an important point which sometimes may get lost in the larger theological argument he is making. But in many ways, his argument hinges on this theological premise – that everybody has access to truth about God’s character through His creation and won’t have an excuse for dismissing God’s righteousness when they meet the creator of all. This is how powerful the testimony of creation is.
Many of the church fathers discussed freely the “two books” of revelation God has provided – the creation and the written word of God. What they recognized is what Paul included in his argument in Roman’s 1— that creation reveals truth about God. For most people in the world, the first aspect of God’s revelation they will interact with is the earth and all He has made, and only after exposure to His eternal power and divine nature, can they consider the specific revelation of His Word.
Is it possible that many churches today have lost touch with this important aspect of God’s self revelation provided for us — the beauty and majesty of his creation? Have we forgotten that there is nothing we learn about God’s character in creation that contradicts what we read about God’s character in the Bible, and nothing we read about in the Bible that opposes what we learn of God’s character through creation? The reality we celebrate is that God’s creation and the written Word of God give evidence to the same truth, albeit by different means.
Later in Paul’s letter to the Roman’s Paul acknowledges that creation was marred by the sin of man (Rom. 8:19-21). And though we don’t have to look to far to see see evidence of this through pollution, extinction of species, etc., the testimony of nature continues to display the goodness, power and grace of our Lord.
For this reason, a robust vision for disciple making in the church should include regular time in God’s creation. We are doing a disservice to the young people in our churches if we remain exclusively inside four walls made by man and don’t regularly include intentional time in God’s creation. Jesus regularly spent time with his disciples in God’s creation, and it is clear even in a cursory reading of the Gospels that Jesus preferred teaching and investing in His disciples in the context of the outdoors. How often do we see Jesus engaging his disciples as they were in a fishing boat, or walking in the fields around Galilee? How often were objects and moments in God’s creation a primary way he taught them about God’s kingdom and character? The mustard seed became a powerful object lesson for faith (Matthew 13:31-32). A storm became the lens through which Jesus showed his students the hardness of their own hearts (Mark 6:52). A mountain was the location Jesus chose to give his disciples critial final instructions (Matthew 28:16-20) As we consider the task of disciple making in the church today, I believe that a return to the principles modeled by Jesus, and the example he gave us, is the best place to start.
For nearly 30 years I have had the privilege of combining my great loves as my full time vocational work – proclaiming the Gospel and discipling young people, and spending time exploring and adventuring in God’s creation. Through those years I have had the privilege of working with leaders all over the world and have seen again and again how intentionally led outdoor ministry provides a unique and powerful opportunity to build relationships with people and experience God in transformational ways.
This is also, I believe, the first step in sharing a love for creation and impressing upon the next generation the importance of taking seriously their God appointed roles as caretakers of creation. As we continue in our work of disciple making, we can help young people grow in their relationship with God, with other people, and with all of earths creatures most effectively in the classroom God crafted for our enjoyment and edification – his creation.
The team of the Wilderness Ministry Institute, of which I am pleased to be a part, believes that every church in the world would greatly benefit from intentional disciple making in God’s creation, and are dedicated to supporting churches all over the world who desire to explore this ancient approach to teaching and mentoring.
Our approach is holistic in that we desire to support pastors and youth leaders develop Biblically solid, culturally appropriate and effective disciple making ministries in their own communities. Wilderness specific skills training is only a small part of what we offer, but it is an important skill set for building relationships and equipping others with an understanding of and vision for creation care.
If this approach to youth ministry is something you would like to explore further in your church and community, we’d love to hear from you and invite you to participate in one of our training courses around the world, or maybe start with our online ‘foundations of wilderness ministry’ in Spanish or English.
How exciting and impactful would it be if our current generation of church leaders taught and trained from both books of revelation God has given us? We look forward to hearing from you.
Joel Vermillion,
Director Wilderness Ministry Institute (WMI)