Michael Wall
Mike Wall enjoying some yak milk while on mission.
Nationality: American. Occupation: Assistant Director of Christian Challenge/FCA at Fort Lewis College, blogger at thewallscall.blogspot.com, Climbing for Christ Colorado Western Slope Coordinator, and lastly, raft guide/ski instructor when our college students my wife and I work with are away on holiday breaks. Needless to say, I stay pretty busy. Missions with C4C: Peru 2014 and 2015, Philippines 2013 and 2014, and “Possible” 2009, 2010 and 2011.
How long have you climbed? I started when I was a freshman in high school. Type of climbing you do: mountaineering, rock, bouldering, canyoneering, spelunking, hiking. Highlight of climbing career: One of my favorite climbs was summitting Mount Sneffels, a 14,000-foot peak nearby with my wife Rachel. My other was probably climbing a 16,000-foot unnamed peak in the Himalayas that, most likely, no other westerners (other than our team members that day) had ever stood on top.
How long have you been a Christian? Since high school. Type of ministry you are blessed to serve in: Collegiate ministry, outdoor ministry, and overseas mission work in Asia.
Favorite Scripture verse (and why): Isaiah 43: 1-3. (“But now, this is what the Lord says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.'”) These are just fantastic verses for the adventurer. As a raft guide, how can I not love these verses? It's a great reminder that God is always with me and watching over me...in everyday life and in whatever dangerous situation I find myself in.
Special “God moment” you'd like to share: Some friends and I were climbing a local mountain when a blizzard blew up on us. We were lost on the ridge, not being able to see five feet in front of us. Through a lot of prayer, God got us up and down safely despite so many of the obstacles we came across that trip. I really saw the power of prayer on the trip.
What does Climbing For Christ mean to you? C4C is a place where Christian climbers can be encouraged by other Christian climbers, knowing that it’s a tough sort of thing to find in the climbing community. It’s also a place where Christian climbers can put their talents to use for Christ and be in the mission field.
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