How Ski Slopes and Donuts Can Bring People to Jesus
By Movieguide® Contributor
Can snow sports help bring people to Jesus? Youth pastor Josh Knipple says yes and recently explained why.
“You have a peace when you’re out here on the mountain,” he told CBN News. “You get away from the noise of life. You get away from busyness and you just kind of come out, and a lot of days I’m here by myself, I’ll spend time in prayer just riding the lift.”
He’s part of the ministry Snowboarders and Skiers for Christ that wants “to see the shred culture transformed by the life-changing, redemptive love of Jesus.”
“We believe that in order to affect change in a culture, God has to be at the center of everything we do. Our relationship with Him has to spill into the places we work, the mountains we ride, the restaurants where we commune, all of it. Our aim is to bring the light of Jesus to every corner of this culture,” the ministry’s website explains.
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The organization began in New Zealand in 1995 and now exists in over 15 countries worldwide.
CBN reported that Knipple works with SFC near his hometown in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and connects with winter enthusiasts each Tuesday with faith and donuts.
“It’s like I said, who doesn’t like a donut?” he laughed. But more than offering food, Knipple believes that he reflects Jesus by doing life with those he meets.
“What do you think Jesus did? He spent time with people. He built relationships with them, ate with them, drank with them… that’s ministry,” he explained.
“That’s what ministry is — it’s building relationships,” Knipple reiterated. “Whether it’s with the homeless, here on the mountain, or here at a church, it’s getting to know people by their name, one-on-one — building that personal relationship with them.”
You don’t have to be a snow sport enthusiast to minister to others, though.
“Never underestimate how God can move and what He can use,” Knipple wrote in a blog post for SFC a few years ago. “It may not be loaves and fish but donuts and hot chocolate are a pretty good start. Pray that God will use you today in simple ways and watch how He can open doors!”
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