Collegiate DiscipleTrek, a three-week deep dive into faith and spiritual leadership at Flag Mountain Camp in South Dakota’s Black Hills, drew 23 young adults this summer from 12 states. Participants left with strengthened faith, new ministry skills — and four decisions for baptism or rebaptism.
This year’s collegiate participants came from Florida, Georgia, Alaska, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Arizona, California, North Dakota, Tennessee, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota.
Rob Lang, North Pacific Union youth and young adult ministries director, launched the program three years ago after sensing God’s persistent call to invest in intentional discipleship. With each personal and professional conversation, Lang heard young adults who voiced a desire to go deeper in their walk with Christ.
From these interactions, his prayers and his career experience in camp ministry, Lang developed a three-week intensive program that blends in-depth Bible study with outdoor adventures, equipping collegiate leaders to share their faith on public or private university campuses and within their generation.
“It energizes me to work with young people and to see their faith come to life,” Lang said. “It is encouraging to see collegiate leaders clarifying their identity in Christ and gaining skills to share Him with their generation.”
Lang involves young adults in all aspects of the programming, including food service, media ministry and program support.
“God called us to share the gospel story,” said Isaac Dodge from Wasilla, Alaska. “DiscipleTrek is getting away from the world for a time to dive into His word so we can do so.”
Caleb Osorio from Woodland, Washington, said his takeaway was, “having the courage to lead and the wisdom to follow.”
Dina Ursu, from Portland, Oregon, captured her experience as, “learning to live a Jesus-like life as His disciple.”
Ari Barre, from Jacksonville, Florida, said, “I am learning more of God’s love for me and learning how to facilitate small group Bible studies to share.”
“Through this program, transformation and healing take place,” said Paulina Plein, DiscipleTrek program director. “We are experiencing what the abundant life is that Christ spoke about in John 10:10. The strong foundation of God’s word and understanding the gospel more fully is creating the ability to build this kind of Christ-centered community where we live and where we are getting our education.”
Joshua Guerrero, Wisconsin Conference public campus ministries director, now serves as a young adult presenter for DiscipleTrek, training participants on small group leadership skills and how to approach ministry on public campuses. As a public campus ministries leader, Guerrero sees the value in a dedicated space for young people to come together, share their faith and learn how to connect authentically with God and others.
“DiscipleTrek gathers people in this kind of community and environment that’s very organic,” Guerrero said. “It’s not something that happens once a year and everyone goes home and forgets it. Rather, people leave changed and transformed to become solid leaders back on their campuses. They become world changers wherever they go.”
Guerrero invited a young adult named Slava Cherempei to participate a couple years ago. He was super hesitant at first and asked Guerrero lots of questions. Finally, Guerrero told him, “I can’t really explain this to you, but DiscipleTrek is something like you’ve never experienced.”
Cherempei did come and went on to start his own college ministry in Wisconsin involving 15 students. One of those students, Xavier Miller, was baptized recently during Adventist Christian Fellowship Institute in Seattle.
“Ephesians 4 talks about the unity of faith and how we need to grow up into all things unto Christ,” Lang said. “This is why we started working and praying toward DiscipleTrek. It’s an amazing adventure for us each July and my wife, Velvet, and I continue to be amazed at how God blesses. It’s a fair amount of work, but each time we do it, we realize it is so worth it.”
