Jim Doenges
Jim Doenges, right, with a backpacking class in Colorado’s Maroon Bells.
Nationality: USA. Occupation: Outdoor Minister/Teacher. Missions with C4C: Denali 2007; Haiti 2007; Kilimanjaro 2007, 2008 and 2016; Nepal 2008.
How long have you climbed? 38 years. Type of climbing you do: Mostly Class II-IV hiking, some winter mountaineering, occasional Class V rock (top rope), and lots of spiritual climbing (elevating!). Highlight of climbing career: Getting eight of nine teammates to the summit during Climbing for Christ’s Mission: Denali 2007.
How long have you been a Christian? 20 years. Type of ministry you are blessed to serve in: Served in full-time vocational ministry for more than 10 years: directed a church-based outdoor ministry, on staff doing missions with C4C, on staff doing wilderness ministry with Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries, directed the outdoor leadership programs at Colorado Christian University, and adjunct prof of outdoor leadership at Denver Seminary.
Favorite Scripture verses (and why): Matthew 28:16 because, here, Jesus provides the setting for the Great Commission: a mountaintop. God has a long history of doing extraordinary things to, for, and with His people on mountains. Consider Genesis 22:1-2, Exodus 3:1-2, 1 Kings 18:42 and 19:8, Isaiah 2:2-3, Micah 4:1-2, and Revelation 21:10-11. In Exodus 19:20 God calls Moses up a mountain; Moses responds and elevates. In like manner, Jesus calls His disciples up a mountain in Mark 3:13; they, too, respond and elevate. With Climbing For Christ, we are called to get off the couch and elevate to reach people in mountainous areas of the world!
Special “God moment” you’d like to share: Our gracious and merciful God used my friend Dave Lesh to forever change my life on Mount Hood. Gary Fallesen, founding president of C4C, wrote about this God moment in “I Want What He Has.”
What does Climbing For Christ mean to you? C4C means sharing God’s love for peaks and people. Fundamentally it’s about the mission, not the mountain. I explained further in an article in C4C’s magazine, The Climbing Way. CLICK HERE and turn to page 10. I thank God for C4C!
Jim Doenges rejoicing on Mount of the Holy Cross, Colorado. “God has a long history of doing extraordinary things to, for, and with His people on mountains.”
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