Everyone needs to almost die.

By the way, this is my report on my Solo Sabbatical in Yosemite) Everyone has been asking me about my time in Yosemite alone at the end of January/beginning of February – so here it is. I blogged a thank you to my pastor in Illinois on why I was doing a solo sabbatical in Yosemite as well as my first report with a follow up there. I do not intend to post all the reports here. This site is about Yosemite Summit, so this will be the ONLY post about my Solo Sabbatical, if you want to follow the “deeper” reports on my trip and more photos, you’ll need to follow my personal blog, but I did want to post an official report here as well as the highlight video I made to show the best of the photos I took. And now back to the report in progress! As I was saying…

Everyone needs to almost die…

And no, I’m not referring to almost being struck by lightening in Yosemite last year! And I’m not directly talking about my near heart attack last year either – though for all practical purposes I might as well be. If almost dying twice in 2009 taught me anything (and it taught me a lot!) it made me realize that long life is not something you should assume. So let me say it again, and I really hope you will hear me this third time: (this is now directly from my journal on my solo sabbatical)

Everyone ought to almost die. If not, they really should try to pretend or reflect on what it means to live as though they are not sure of long life.

Let me set the record straight. I’m not afraid of dying. Never was. But after almost dying (twice!) I’m no longer afraid of living! I refuse to put off the life I want. If that sounds selfish, let me rephrase it – I refuse to put off what I believe God is calling me to do. (sound better?) I no longer assume far off “somedays” exist! Two to three years is as long as I assume I have. That DOESN’T mean I think I’m a dead man in five years! Without going into detail – I have a clean bill of health, I avoided a heart attack, and have a stent in a healthy heart. It just means that if I want to do something, I START PLANNING IT! I know better now – start planning it, or it’ll never happen!

Someday is just another word for NEVER!

What are you saying you will do someday? Write a book? Go on some dream vacation? Produce a resource? Start a business? (Go on Yosemite Summit or Unbridled?) I can’t even guess what it is for YOU, but YOU know what I’m talking about… I’m scratching that itch RIGHT NOW. I know I am.

The point is, start planning it NOW. At least get out a pad of paper and start scratching out the first few steps.

One of my life long dreams was to go to Yosemite in Winter. It seemed impossible. The only way it happened was to start planning it. And then God came along and took care of the “impossible” part for me! He surprised me by taking care of the one detail I couldn’t manage. Do you think God won’t do that for you? Do you think He loves me more than you? Bah!

Watch this video of my little dream come true. This took over four years to come true. Even longer if you count the years I was too scared and too busy to dream the dream! Enjoy! Two days snow shoeing through Yosemite in winter and then ask yourself,

What “someday” am I not trusting God for? And start planning it.

Download: YosemiteWinter-byKarlBastian.mov (38mb MOV) 640×480

By Brent Peak, Summiteer 2009

I suppose it’s time to start sharing what I experienced at the Yosemite Summit last year. The point of the Summit was for us children’s pastors (8 of us, plus our leader, Karl Bastian) to resign from our jobs for a week and reconnect with God. I knew I needed this, but I didn’t realize how much so until I got there. The beauty of Yosemite National Park is amazing. Words and pictures just don’t do it justice. To be so close to God through nature was an amazing opportunity.

It was refreshing to be with eight other guys who cared about the same things I did, but also had the same struggles as well. I received tremendous insight from hearing Karl talk about his experiences and struggles in ministry and family. He gave us a challenge on the first full day of hiking to think about who we are, apart from being a children’s pastor. I had never tried to define myself like that, but I’m glad I did that day.  Here’s what I realized:

I am a child of God who brings joy to him, regardless of my performance or behavior.

That was such a liberating realization!  I cried when I first voiced that sentence to myself.  As I thought about my relationship with my own children, I realized that there was nothing they could do to make me stop loving them.  I can only assume God feels the same about me.  I also thought about how my children’s ability to relate to me increases with their maturity.  I know the same is true between me and God.  I felt like a literal child before God–something I’d never really experienced before–eager to know and enjoy him better.  It felt great to not be a children’s pastor that day.  The guy with all the answers for the kids.  The guy who felt the pressure to perform for God, church leaders, parents, and kids.  They guy who had let God and others down.  For a few days in Yosemite I wasn’t any of that.  I was just a child of God enjoying his creation, trying to enjoy him as much as I hoped he enjoyed me.

Re-posted with permission from brentpeak.com

A full scholarship has been provided to Yosemite Summit!

In order to apply you need only:

1) Request a Registration Form stating that you meet the requirements for this event. (You are a male in full time childrens ministry most clearly described as a ‘childrens pastor’, though that does have to be your official title.)
2) Complete and Return the Registration Form to Karl.
3) Express in 500-1000 words why you need to scholarship.
4) Agree that if chosen, you will immediately make the non-refundable $225 deposit which WILL be refunded to you upon attending the event.
5) Understand, you will still be responsible for travel to and from Sacramento and a few en route meals as described on the web site, but nothing more. (Lodging in Sacramento and in Yosemite is covered by the scholarship.)

One recipient will be chosen by the end of February. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of being selected. Others who apply and qualify may be put on a waiting list in case other scholarships become available.

HELP OTHERS ATTEND. There are men who need this event you can not afford to attend. If you would like to donate a scholarship for $725 please contact Karl Bastian. (See the DONATE page for more info.)

While most dream of a “White Christmas” I’ve been dreaming of a “White Yosemite” – and I’ve been going there, “if only in my dreams” for as long as I can remember. Yosemite is not only one of the most spectacular places on earth an a photographers paradise, but in winter, the word “wonderland” doesn’t do it justice. But getting there is winter has always been something that just wasn’t possible or realistic financially or logistically.

Until my good friend Jessica Klinker, on the Kidology CP Team, asked me to come to Lodi California this month to equip and encourage her volunteers… hmmmmm… the same church that we have stopped at for lunch on the way to Yosemite Summit in May? Suddenly, my “impossible” dream of going to Yosemite in winter wasn’t so impossible! Of course, I had to convince my wife to allow me add on some extra days for my solo trip, but a little bargaining later, and me and God had a date and I have my own little Yosemite Summit for Two, just Jesus and me for three days.

I’m so excited I could just burst!

I twittered about it a few weeks ago and a company called Stabilicers asked me if I had their product (shoe grippers) and encouraged me to check out their facebook page. I replied to @32northSTABIL and suggested (kinda kidding!) that they send me a free pair to try out at Yosemite promising a review on my blog – and they did! In the meantime, check out their fun YouTube Channel.

I promise to post pictures here from my solo sabbatical as soon as I return – and if you want to join me in May for the Yosemite Summit with eight other men, register soon – there is limited space, and it fills up every year! Four spots are spoken for so far with deposits pending, so it is nearly half full already! Be sure to check out the highlight photo and videos for 2008 and 2009.

I’d love to have you join me in this life-changing place!

It is always encouraging to read how former “Summiteers” describe their experience at Yosemite Summit when they return back to their churches and ‘normal life’ after encountering God with eight other children’s pastors disconnected from ministry and the noise of normal life.

Steve Bourque attended the second annual Summit and recently wrote the following article for his churches newsletter.

Yosemite National Park is really quite amazing. I’ve known about it for many years, but I’ve only visited one
time. Recently, I traveled alone to meet up with eight other Children’s Pastors in California. We agreed that
this would not be a conference, but a retreat or  “unconference”. We all wanted to break away from regular life to reconnect deeply with our Creator in his creation. We were all challenged to hear from God.

As I spent extended time meditating on the Bible I began to hear. God was speaking to me.

One of the questions God was asking me to look into was “What are your fears?” At the risk of being vulnerable, I will mention a fear that became a theme among the others I listed. I fear disapproval. Now, if all are honest, everyone can admit to this. It just looks different for different people. Specifically for me, it translates into not wanting to be embarrassed or say something dumb or not be accepted by someone or some group. (click image to read entire article in PDF)

Read the entire article by Downloading this PDF

Yosemite Summit has a unique impact on each guy who attends. So far, two men have reserved their spot for 2010, and one is returning from 2009. That tells you something! Let me encourage you to prayerfully consider joining me in May 2010 for a retreat unlike anything you have ever experienced.

Only God knows what you may be writing about in your church newsletter next summer!

(Read about my visit to Steve’s church here: Chronicles of Sarnia)

“It’s like Yosemite Summit for Women!”

As soon as I posted my plans for the first Yosemite Summit for men back in 2007 I began to get e-mails from women saying “what about us?!” As the founder of Kidology.org I am quite aware that well over half of the leaders in children’s ministry are women and they are equally in need of a break away from ministry (if not more so)! So soon after the first Yosemite Summit I began to pray about how we could have a similar event for women since obviously I could not personally provide this retreat. God soon led me to approach Pastor Kim Bobb, a children’s pastor I knew shared my both my passion for children’s ministry and heart for encouraging those in children’s ministry. She accepted my challenge to create an event that melded both her own interests and the need to help leaders disconnect from ministry and reconnect with God and others who serve children and volunteers. I love Yosemite, so I take men to the Seira Nevada. Kim loves horses, so she takes women to a ranch in Ohio. But both events share the same description.

And UNconference for Children’s Pastors:

No workshops – Just worship
No resources – Just relationships
No networking – Just God working

And after last year’s successful first UNBRIDLED retreat, we have launched an independent website for our woman’s event. No longer is Unbridled just a “tab” on YosemiteSummit.org – but it has earned it’s own website!

Checkout www.unbridledretreat.org and better yet, if you are a woman in children’s ministry, PRAY ABOUT ATTENDING! If you are a husband, send your wife! If you are a pastor, send your female children’s pastor or ministry director or leader or coordinator or whatever you call her – she needs this opportunity to be refreshed, renewed and recharged! You know she has earned it.

And it is limited to only SIX WOMEN - and it will fill up soon! What are you waiting for!?

For a wonderful visual overview of what you will experience on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a break from ministry and connect with God and other men who share your passion for children’s ministry, enjoy these highlight videos from the first two summits:

Here is the 2008 Highlight Video:

2009 Highlight Video:

Just some of the feedback from last year’s Summit:

…never in twenty years of ministry had I taken a real break away where I could focus on my relationship with Christ. Because of my time at Yosemite, I have committed that I would take a break regularly because of the impact this has had on my ministry, family and my relationship with Jesus. Yosemite Summit gave me the opportunity to refresh my soul, to renew my spirit and to come back home with a new resolve to fall in love with Jesus more, to serve  him with a wiser focus and to honor him with the way I lead my family and my ministry. – Tom

There is nothing like the opportunity to get away, on your own, with no distractions while you listen to God’s voice. The memory will not quickly fade. Jesus made many different times to get away. He even took 40 days before beginning his ministry. How much more do we need to get away and just be with God? Yosemite Summit is this strategic opportunity. – Steve

Yosemite Summit was a huge blessing and a very worthwhile investment in helping me be refreshed in my relationship with God and helping to keep me centered in my relationships with my wife, kids and my church.  Walking by yourself part of a day through towering Sequoia trees praying to God and enjoying his handiwork after having spent time being encouraged by and with eight Christian guys is priceless! – Scott

After this trip – I have embraced that I am doing what I am called to do. I may not have all of the specialized training but God gives me what I need when I need it to get the job done and to continue to reach out to kids and their parents.  The time away at the Yosemite Summit gave me the encouragement I needed, the time I needed to confront the hard issues I had been pushing back, and the conviction to embrace who I truly am in God’s eyes. – Anonymous

Yosemite Summit is an event that will recharge you as a child of God, a husband of your wife and a father of your children.  The investment is worth it because the event will impact your walk with God and your relationship with your wife and kids.  I can tell you that this single week will have an impact on the rest of my life. – Matt

Yosemite Summit is more than just a “conference” – it is a band of brothers who stay close for years to come. We share a private forum on Kidology.org where we share prayer requests and stay connected long after the event has passed. We text message each other in times of need for prayer and have become life-long friends.You go to conferences to become a better minister. You go to Yosemite Summit to become a better man.

Prayerfully consider coming to Yosemite Summit 2010 – I will be praying with you!

I’m still feeling the effects of Yosemite Summit 2009. It is difficult to describe this event to someone who has not gone; it is truly a wonderful trip on so many fronts. But it is my prayer that some descriptions, some pictures, quotes from the guys and a video might help you get a glimpse of the unique experience Yosemite Summit is for the guys who take the time away from ministry to invest in their walk with God and a few other good men who share their passion for children’s ministry.

After the neat group of guys God brought together for the first Summit, I honestly was a little worried that the second year might feel different, but again God brought together a group of men who all got along great and seemingly instantly we were like old friends. I now get to pray the same for 2010!

There is simply no way to describe the grandeur of the vistas at Yosemite National Park. Pictures can’t even come close to capturing the awe of looking out from one vista to another across the sprawling valley below. It is like you can reach out and touch the presence of God.

One of the highlights of Yosemite Summit is getting some time alone in magnificent places to think, pray and journal your thoughts. All the usual distractions of life are hundreds of miles away… and somehow God’s voice is just so much clearer, if not louder.

Thanks so much for an awesome week! It was a real joy to hike with fellow CPs. I was blessed by each guy sharing each night and energized by the encouragement and new ideas shared. The spiritual challenges from Karl, were spot on and a great tool for God to work in my life. I look forward to continuing our new friendships. God Bless each one of you and may your lives and families and ministries never be the same!

We often were together as we hiked, but then had times to split up for some solo time as well. The balance between fellowship and solitude is not managed strictly, but seems to just naturally unfold as we hike at different paces, regroup at the most spectacular sites, and gather for meals along the trails.

How do you describe the feeling of standing at the top of a mountain? While we always stayed a safe distance from truly deadly or dangerous drop offs, you are often near places where the ground soon gives way to sky where hawks and eagles drift by. To be looking straight across at a water fall that is pouring hundreds of feet to a valley below you is awe-inspiring. While the falls seem distant, often you can still hear their roar as they crash into rocks thousands of feet away below and across the valley.

While much of what is experienced in Yosemite remains here or in our memories, the time invested in journaling helps take much of what God stirs within us back home. I love rereading from my Yosemite journal and then closing my eyes and remembering the place where I wrote those words.

Yosemite Summit met all my expectations and I came away feeling like it was one of the best things I could have done for my relationship with the Lord and my ministry. I love the idea of allowing retreat, re-create times to rekindle my love for God, my family and my ministry.

Because of today’s technology, it is wonderful to be able to have worship music playing in head phones as we hiked, journals, or just relaxed. At other times, walking in silence and allowing God’s creation to be the sound track was equally beautiful. With the distant roar of countless water falls, the chirping of birds, rustling of leaves and the occasional scurry of an animal broken only by the steady plodding of our footsteps, Creation offered us the most fitting background music.

I never in all my 20+ years of ministry had taken a “real” break away where I could focus on my relationship with Christ. Because of my time at Yosemite, I have committed that I would take a break regularly because of the impact this has had on my ministry, family and my relationship with Jesus. Yosemite Summit gave me the opportunity to refresh my soul, to renew my spirit and to come back home with a new resolve to fall in love with Jesus more, to serve him with a wiser focus and to honor him with the way I lead my family and my ministry. – Tom

I loved seeing the guys relaxing and can’t help wondering, how often do they truly get to relax back home – where they totally and completely let go of everything and just enjoy the presence of God?

There is nothing like the opportunity to get away, on your own, with no distractions while you listen to God’s voice. The memory will not quickly fade. Jesus made many different times to get away. He even took 40 days before beginning his ministry. How much more do we need to get away and just be with God? Yosemite Summit is this strategic opportunity. – Steve

One of the ways I worship is through the lens of my camera. While no film can capture the majesty of this place, it sure is fun trying. At least you get to take glimpses of it home to enjoy over and over again. Around every turn is yet another “perfect shot” that for some segments of the trip, I had to simply put my camera away and soak it in knowing that being there is better than any picture from there.

While we don’t do any ‘real’ climbing with ropes and gear, there are plenty of rocks that whisper, “Climb me!” And once ascended offer either a better view, or simply a satisfying feeling of having accomplished something worth relaxing and soaking in.

Nothing makes the heart pound like being near the edge of a cliff. And while our wives may fear our curiosity, we were always safe and looked out for each other. But nevertheless, sitting near an edge is a profound way to realize one’s humanity and to appreciate every day God grants us to worship and serve Him!

One of the highlights of Yosemite Summit is a hike that will most likely be included every year, the Mist Trail. There is a stretch where you’d get drenched to the bone if you didn’t wear a poncho! The mist from the thundering waterfall becomes so thick it is almost blinding and the sound of the water fall thrilling. Plus, realizing you will soon be standing at the top at the very edge (behind a railing!) makes the countless stone stairs worth every step.

This is Taft Point, one of the highest vista look out points in Yosemite (and one of the few with a railing) where you can peer straight down over 3500 feet! It was while hiking back from here that I was nearly stuck by lightening in a hail storm that rushed in on us!

The time away at the Yosemite Summit gave me the encouragement I needed, the time I needed to confront the hard issues I had been pushing back, and the conviction to embrace who I truly am in God’s eyes.

Yosemite Summit is an event that will recharge you as a child of God, a husband of your wife and a father of your children. The investment is worth it because the event will impact your walk with God and your relationship with your wife and kids. I can tell you that this single week will have an impact on the rest of my life.

Yosemite Summit 2009 may be over, but it’s impact will last a life time. It is now time to start praying about whether God would have you join us for Yosemite Summit 2010!

Yosemite Summit was a huge blessing and a very worthwhile investment in helping me be refreshed in my relationship with God and helping to keep me centered in my relationships with my wife, kids and my church. Walking by yourself part of a day through towering Sequoia trees praying to God and enjoying his handiwork after having spent time being encourage by and with 8 Christian guys is priceless! – Scotty H.

2009 Highlight Video:

Sunday, May 23 to
Thursday, May 27th, 2010

YosemiteSummit.org will not be updated with full 2010 details until August 2009, but if you are considering this event, I wanted you to be able to get the dates in your calendar as soon as possible. (Keep in mind actual  dates away are May 22 to May 28th with travel on the Saturday before and Friday after if you fly in.)

I am already praying abou the guys God will bring to the 3rd Summit… I hope YOU are one of them!

Well, I’m back from Yosemite Summit 2009. It was an incredible week! I’m slowly beginning the process of returning to civilization and responsibility. I have 4,517 photos from all nine guys to edit, sort and highlight, so there will be more to tell in the weeks ahead, and of course, a highlight video. But for now I can say that GOD SHOWED UP and each of us had an incredible time connecting with God through his amazing creation and through the fellowship of a band of brothers who are now lifetime friends.

Brent, Scott, Matt, Pat, Karl, Steve, Tom, Scott and Marc.

We journeyed through a process each day reflecting on some key questions for thought and prayer but also simply being open to what God wanted to communicate to us when we were listening to a degree not often possible in “real life.”

Here was our mission statement for the week: (this was a bookmark I provided)

Each day we had a KEY WORD for reflection:

1. REMEMBERING what we had forgotten
2. Identifying how God is REFINING us
3. Seeking to REFOCUS on what matters most
4. Determining a RESOLVE to take home with us.

We also look at four primary callings we have:

1. To walk with God
2. To love our wives
3. To lead our kids
4. To shepherd our ministries

Of course, there was a lot more to these as we unfolded them each day, but it was awesome to see how God weaved through the events of the week, the focused thought and questions, and what God was already doing in each of our lives that brought us to Yosemite.

Coming down Sentinel Dome where there was
still some snow on a warm day!

The weather was fantastic, the views incredible, and the fellowship rich. God revealed Himself to us in a variety of ways, provided for our needs and reminded us often of His love and care for us throughout the week.  It’s hard to believe the second Yosemite Summit is history. It was once again an incredible life-changing event for each of us who took the time to get away and give God some focused attention in a place He seems to have created just for that purpose!

I stopped in Colorado for a day on the way home and soon will be catching up on all the e-mails and voice mails and even snail mail that I know awaits me. But until after the weekend… I’m still on retreat!

By the way: It’s not too late to start thinking and praying about joining me next year for Yosemite Summit 2010! Only eight men can join me… perhaps YOU will be one of them!?