For 75 years, A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP) has been walking alongside those who live and work in some of the most breathtaking places in the country. God has been using this ministry in powerful ways, and this year marks a milestone anniversary.

News

Celebrating 75 Years of Ministry

To commemorate 75 years of faithful service, ACMNP is hosting 8–10 regional gatherings across the country for alumni, supporters, and friends. Three events have already taken place, each filled with joyful reunions, shared stories, and heartfelt celebration of all God has done, and continues to do, through their ministry.

The celebration will culminate this September with a special Fall Celebration at Yellowstone National Park. Those who are near one of the upcoming regional events are warmly invited to attend. Event details can be found here.

Connecting with the Next Generation at Urbana

In December, ACMNP had the opportunity to participate in the Urbana Missions Conference in Phoenix. More than 7,500 young adults attended the missions-focused gathering, creating an energizing environment for connection and vision-casting.

At ACMNP’s booth, nearly 300 students expressed interest in serving with the ministry, and 130 participated in a special leadership workshop. The event offered a meaningful opportunity to engage young adults eager to explore how their faith can intersect with service in the national parks.

A Growing Team Across the Parks

As a result of Urbana and ongoing recruitment efforts, more than 160 ACMNP team members are currently serving or preparing to serve park communities across the country. As the primary summer placement season approaches, the ministry hopes to welcome 100 additional individuals to join the mission.

2026 IMPACT Trips Launching Soon

ACMNP’s 2026 IMPACT Trips begin in March. These 3–7 day experiences take place in or near national parks and combine leadership development, service projects, worship gatherings, and opportunities to explore the beauty of God’s creation.

Due to growing interest, the Women’s and Men’s Wilderness Trips will each be offered twice this year. You are encouraged to participate! More information is available here.

Needs

An Interactive Devotional App for the Parks

In honor of its 75th anniversary, ACMNP is developing an interactive devotional app designed specifically for national park visitors and employees. The vision is to provide location-based devotionals connected to specific points of interest within larger parks.

For example, someone visiting Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park might receive a devotional centered on God’s faithfulness. The beauty of creation becomes a gateway for deeper reflection and worship.

The ministry is currently seeking gifted writers interested in contributing devotionals to the project. Those interested may contact Deborah Boud for submission guidelines.

This app represents a $30,000 initiative, and ACMNP is seeking additional donors to help bring the project fully to life.

Sponsorship Opportunity: Supporting the Journey

ACMNP was recently gifted a new vehicle that will help support team training and national travel to conferences and events. Because the ministry frequently transports equipment, a partner is being sought to help provide a hard-shell truck cover to keep gear secure during long trips.

Organizations or companies interested in exploring this sponsorship opportunity are encouraged to connect with ACMNP.

Prayer Requests

A Season of Transition and Gratitude

This spring marks a significant transition for the ACMNP community. After nearly 14 years of faithful leadership, Dave Degler is retiring from his role as Co-Executive Director of Program & Leadership. His contributions have played a meaningful role in shaping the ministry’s direction and impact.

As Dave and Dawn step into this new season of life, supporters are invited to pray for their next chapter. Dave has shared an open letter reflecting on his time with ACMNP, available here.

As ACMNP continues developing and sending disciples of Christ into the national parks, the ministry remains deeply grateful for the partnership and support of its community. God is at work in these remarkable spaces of natural beauty, and anticipation is high for all that lies ahead.

For ongoing updates and inspiration, follow ACMNP on Instagram @ACMNP or @ParkLifeMinistry.