We are not yet at the shelter and exhaustion is taking over. We walked miles without the energy to do so but had to press on. In those moments they drop out and miss all that God has for them. On the Appalachian Trail the challenges are blisters, blood, aching muscles, sprained ankles, sickness, and days alone. But there are also serendipitous encounters with both the beauty and beasts of nature, friends and antagonists met along the way, sacred personal reflections, and intimate conversations with others looking for life's answers.
Witness is an invitation to just such a journey.
The goal is much more than just completing the trail. The ultimate goal is to create a culture of vital Christian witness in individuals and congregations all across the church. As we enter a new millennium, more and more people are looking for spiritual answers to life's questions, but an expanding array of competing truth-claims leave many confused and skeptical regarding religion. Nevertheless, millions of people all around the world are coming to new faith in Jesus Christ, even as the church in the west is floundering. Many of us have taken our faith for granted, and now we find ourselves unprepared to boldly bear witness to what we believe in order that others may discover a vital relationship with God.