For years, Mile High Pines has specialized in serving public schools with the CODES program. Now Alpine also operates the same program but specializes in serving Christian schools. We’ve discovered that many students, although attending a Christian school, have little exposure to Christianity. This presents us with a precious opportunity to share the gospel, not only through our actions modeling the love of Jesus and through the wonders of creation but also through open dialogue. This spring Alpine was hosting Christian School students from L.A. County.

One group was especially challenging as they pushed all boundaries and were often disrespectful to one another and the Alpine team. However, during our campfire bible study, a supernatural peace and calm was over all the students; the presence of God was there. This group that had been so difficult to manage was finally all ears – you could actually hear the forest because they were intensely QUIET for the first time all week. I shared the bible study (Gen 1; Psalm 139) and they intently listened to God’s word. They listened about how God created the heavens and the earth; how He intricately created mankind in His image, and how God had a plan and purpose for each of their lives. The many intense and sincere questions they asked during this service! Oh my!

One particular camper asked a deep question that revealed his deep pain and hurt at home… he was sincerely wanting to know if God cared about his situation, “If what you say is true, then why doesn’t God hear my prayers? Does God really have a plan for me?”