HAVASU FALLS BACKPACKING TRIP 2016 (The Rest Of The Journey)

Here are 7 pics from our 10 hike into HAVASU FALLS (including the last 2 miles in the Indian Village of Supai)!

DESCEND AT OWN RISK! (MOONEY FALLS)

Our next adventure was the epic descent down the side of a cliff to the base of Mooney Falls!

Mooney Falls looks similar to Havasu Falls, but in subtle ways is more dramatic, exciting, and fun. We had a BLAST!

BEAVER FALLS DAY HIKE!

This was one of the BEST day hikes I've ever done... a 4 mile round-trip journey to Beaver Falls from our campsite at Havasu Falls. There was so much beauty and so much variety as we hiked this amazing oasis... check out the pictures to see what I mean... God-awesome spectacular beauty!!

Loved every second of it!

GET TO THE CHOPPER!

Here's our final 8 recap pictures from a terrific trip including our campsite, footbridge crossings, hiking in the rain, our helicopter ride out, visit to Sedona, and a "polar bear" cliff jump into 45 degree water! An incredible trip with incredible people!

.

HAVASU FALLS BACKPACKING TRIP 2016 (Part 2)

Backpacking in paradise!!

HAVASU FALLS BACKPACKING TRIP 2016 (Part 1)

Stopped by this little whole in the ground called the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON on the way to our Havasu Falls Backpacking Trip!!

It's going to be a cold one... lows dropping into the 20's. Our 10 mile hike to Havasu Falls starts Sat morning. Fun small group of wonderful people, but we are missing Laurie =)

GTD FLASHBACK (1999 - CALVARY BAPTIST)

GTD FLASHBACK
 
THE YEAR>>> 1999
 
EVENT>>> CALVARY BAPTIST Adventure Trip
 
I'm not sure how it's possible to have so many all-time favorite trips, but this is one of the greatest trips we've ever been a part of. It's also the first private trip that we ran for another church other than for my home church (expansion!).

Pastor Joe Hancock along with several of his students from the college age ministry of Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater, FL comprised to make up an extraordinary group of fun-loving, Christ-following, never-give-up, adventure-seeking young adults! They soaked up and relished in every adventure and every challenge we provided that week 17 years ago in Ocoee, TN.

During one team building game, "The Log", they worked together for 3 hours in 100 degree heat to rearrange their group in a certain order. Anytime someone fell off the narrow log they had to start over. That day they had to restart over and over and over again and again and again. They wouldn't give up though. Finally, after 2 hours and 40 minutes went by one of the students realized that they had never prayed about this challenge. So they huddled up and prayed together as a team. They got back on the log and conquered the task on very next attempt! Wow, we all learned a life lesson about prayer that day! They celebrated so much after their great accomplishment and hoisted the log over their heads for this group picture. It was an incredible moment that we will never forget!

To this day I have several lifelong dear friends that started on that trip... and we still talk about "The Log". Pastor Joe set an amazing tone for this incredible group of extraordinary young adults. We had MANY MORE God-awesome special moments on that trip! It was so special!

There is no substitute for great memories!
 
GTD >>> CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY!
 
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!
 
.

All nighters never get easier!

Leaving in 1 hour to fly out to AZ... our Havasu Falls Backpacking Trip into the Grand Canyon starts tomorrow.

FILL THAT BUCKET!! (Another $2000 raised!)

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!

EVERY MONTHLY PLEDGE COUNTS!

Our most recent thousand dollar donation milestones came through generous donors that contributed what's referred to as "smaller donations" (it's all BIG to us!). When added together they make a HUGE impact! It's just like filling a bucket with large cups of water... it doesn't take long to FILL THAT BUCKET!

It all adds up fast! It only takes 4 people pledging $25/month for 12 months OR 5 people making a one-time donation of $200 (or a combination of the two) to equal $1000 and FILL THAT BUCKET!

Our goal is to fill 100 "buckets" by the end of the year!

You can help us hit our 100k goal! Become a Champion Donor by making a one-time donation of $1000 or more (or making a monthly pledge of $85 or more for the next 12 months). Or become a Synergy Donor by adding your donation or monthly pledge to the "bucket" and watching it fill up real fast.

Every dollar & every monthly pledge counts towards the goal. Your donation will make a HUGE impact in and through this ministry!

To make a one-time donation, sponsor a table, and/or become a Monthly Partner (as well as seeing the current level of the bucket and to track our overall progress) click on this link.

You can make a difference!

Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (GTD)
Celebrating 20 years of ministry!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


.

CATERED BY CARRABBA'S... AND SUPER SIZED TO 10 SEATS!

Just 2 more reasons to join us at this year's banquet! In celebration of our 20th year of ministry we have SUPER SIZED each table to hold 10 people which means you get more delicious Carrabba's with every Table Sponsorship!!

Carrabba's will be serving their amazing Chicken Marsala with Penne Pasta!! The meal alone is worth coming for... and now you get 2 more seats with every Table Sponsorship!!

Table Sponsorships start at $150 (for 10 people!).

Click here to sponsor a table or to learn more about our Annual Banquet.

Celebrating 20 years of ministry!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


.

2017 GTD PRIVATE EVENT CALENDAR - ALMOST FULL!!

With 6 weeks remaining in 2016 GTD is humbly thrilled to announce that our spring, summer, and fall 2017 private event calendar is almost completely BOOKED UP!

We have a few Retreat dates still available in March & April and we may be able to squeeze in one more Backpacking or Adventure Trip in the summer, but other than that we are ALL BOOKED UP! (Praise God!)

Now we will begin focusing on filling in the calendar with public events. We hope to have our 2017 public event calendar completed by our Annual Banquet on Dec 6, 2016.

All we can say is THANK YOU JESUS and THANK YOU to the many churches, youth groups, Christian schools, and Landry Academy for choosing GTD as your source for Christ-centered God-awesome adventures! We can't wait to serve you in 2017!

Glory to God!

GTD is celebrating 20 years of ministry (1996-2016)
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


.

OUR BANQUET MC ON DEC 6th WILL BE....

OUR BANQUET MC ON DEC 6th WILL BE....
        ..... MORGAN STREETMAN!!

We are thrilled to announce that Morgan Streetman - Tampa Business Attorney, Radio Host of "Let's Talk Law" on AM1010, and GTD Board of Director - will be our Banquet MC on Dec 6, 2016!

Morgan is a lively and fun-loving dear friend and faithful ally of GTD. He has participated on our Costa Rica Mission Project, Swamp Thing Backpacking Trip in the Everglades, several other GTD events and work projects, and currently serves as a Trustee on our Board of Directors helping to steer our ministry into a bright future.

In addition to founding and running his own Law Firm in Tampa, FL - Streetman Law - Morgan is also the outgoing and insightful Radio Host for the hour long talk show "Let's Talk Law" on AM1010 every Monday at noon and 5pm.

We are honored to have Morgan as our MC. He will set a fun and witty tone for the entire night. So, come enjoy a very special banquet as our MC guides us through a fun and inspiring night of celebration.

To learn more about Morgan Street check out the following links:

- Streetman Law

- Let's Talk Law AM1010

To learn more about GTD's Annual Banquet (or to RSVP or sponsor a table) click here.


.

3 MORE TABLES SPONSORED!! (#6, 7, & 8)

The good news for GTD today just keeps on coming! 2 different donors sponsored a total of 3 more tables.

FIRST, we want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to the Kiwanis Club of Pinellas Park for generously sponsoring a table for our Annual Banquet on Dec 6th! Your charitableness is matched only by your kindhearted service to our community. We are so grateful! (To learn more about the Kiwanis or to get more involved, check out their website here.

And SECONDLY, we want to profoundly thank Jerry & Ann Garner (aka "JAG"...my parents) for their unending openheartedness & openhandedness to this ministry. They have decided to generously sponsor 2 tables for our upcoming banquet! This ministry wouldn't exist without these 2 loving people. Thank you so much Mom & Dad!!

To follow our fundraising progress as we pursue our goal of raising 100k (or to donate to the cause) click on this link.

Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (GTD)
Celebrating 20 years of God-awesome Ministry!


.

TABLE SPONSOR ALERT!! (#5)

It's with great thanksgiving that we recognize the generous table sponsorship of North Pinellas Home Services (Tom & Jen Brown Henriksen) for GTD's upcoming Annual Banquet!

If you have any home (or automotive) projects or repair needs then contact North Pinellas Home Services and let Tom Henriksen turn your burdens into blessings.

Tom & Jen's love and encouragement has blessed us and our ministry more than I could ever express! Thank you so much Tom & Jen for all you do to advance GTD. We love you!

God bless you North Pinellas Home Services for your support!


.

KICKING OFF THE WEEK WITH A CHAMPION DONOR!

Our utmost gratitude for our newest Champion Donor who has taken the GTD "Thousand Dollar Challenge" by pledging $100 per month for the next 12 months!!

This wonderful donor likes to keep their donations anonymous, but they've been a faithful part of GTD for many years. We deeply love them and appreciate the blessing they are to this ministry.

Thank you so much awesome donor!

This is our 6th Champion Donation as we strive for 100 by the end of the year.

If you would like to play a vital role in a God-awesome ministry as we prepare for the next 20 years of ministry then click here and see how you can contribute towards 100k goal.

THANK YOU!!!!


.

GTD FLASHBACK! (1998) >>> SLAMMED

GTD FLASHBACK!

THE YEAR>>> 1998

EVENT>>> SLAMMED Adventure Trip

THEME>>> "Please God"

We had so much fun on this Adventure Trip with 29 college-age students from First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks! It was Pastor Chip & Sharon DeArmon's first GTD event and they added so much joy to the trip... as well as fantastic preaching from God's Word. Activities included white water rafting, rock climbing, rappelling, mt biking, hiking, and Six Flags (including the "Dare Devil Dive" 175' swing & "Ninja" roller coaster - both pictured here). This was the first time that we had nearly 30 participants. There were so many classic moments and new friendships that emerged on this trip that still remain 18 years later. Pure pleasures aren't filled with drama and only leave great memories without any regrets. God's way is the best way. Glorify God, love man, have fun... it's the GTD way!

There is no substitute for great memories!

GTD >>> CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY!

Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!

.

TRUCK DONATED TO GTD!

Our profound thanks to the City of Pinellas Park for their generous donation of a surplus truck to GTD!

This 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Truck will be put to great use for our nonprofit organization, especially with the several youth that we work with inside the great city of Pinellas Park.

Thank you so much! God bless you!!

Keep on truckin' =)

GTD FLASHBACK! (1998) ("ROADYAKING")

DIRT ROAD KAYAKING... "ROADYAKING"!!

This is one of my top 100 favorite memories from a GTD trip! Kayaking on water just wasn't fun enough so we strapped 2 aging kayaks behind my Jeep Cherokee and took some ambitious "pioneers" on a kayaking "ride" that none of us will ever forget. We must have done 50 laps around the dirt road loop at camp. It was the most fun we've ever had with kayaks! In fact, the only injuries sustained that day were the cramps in our sides from laughing so hard. We had so much fun! I think this is also the trip that our fun-loving and eager college-age participants popularized the phrase, "It's alright, I signed the waiver."

SIGNIFICANCE: This trip was the first weekend retreat that GTD ever provided (it's now our annual retreat that we call "IGNITE"). We put together an exciting, crazy-fun, Christ-centered camping retreat for the young adult ministry of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. We spent 2 days and 2 nights in the heart of Ocala National Forest camping, seeking God, hiking, skeet shooting, swimming, having a HUGE bonfire, and kayaking (on water... and on land!). It was the perfect weekend for outrageous college students. The best part was that we didn't need to get drunk to escape or have fun... the sober Christian adventure already supplies the potential to maximize the fun without the residue of hangovers, headaches, heartbreaks, memory loss, embarrassment, and regrets =)

There is no substitute for great memories!

GTD >>> CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!

.

WHAT A WAY TO START THE WEEK! (2k Champion Donor!!)

We have a $2000 Champion Donor for GTD who has pledged $170/month for the next 12 months! They have elected to remain anonymous, but their support speaks volumes of their love for and dedication to this ministry. We are deeply touched by their generosity!!

In less than one week we've already been blessed with the completion of 1 out of our 20 columns of Champion Donations (see the grid and tracking updates). Glory to God!!

Our Annual Banquet is on Dec 6, 2016 at the Largo Cultural Center in Largo, FL. For regular updates, more details, and to sponsor a table as well as to help us hit our fund raising goal of $100,000 check out our website link here.

Thank you so much for supporting GTD as we celebrate 20 years of ministry and prepare for the next 20 years!

Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


.

TABLE SPONSOR ALERT #4

Our profound thanks and endearing gratitude goes out to our close friends Kevin and Ashley Starner for their Table Sponsorship for our upcoming Annual Banquet on Dec 6th.

Their Table Sponsorship will be listed under www.TravelingStarNurse.com

They've been a HUGE part of GTD for many years and now Ashely is a Travelling Nurse. The whole family is trekking throughout the US exploring new places and the many destination treasures found all over this country. Take a few minutes to check out their website & blog and see all the adventures they've already been on. The kids are loving it!

Thank you Starner Family! We love you!

To find out more about GTD and our Annual Banquet as well as to sponsor a table or donate towards the cause click here.


.

GTD FLASHBACK! (1997)

GTD FLASHBACK!

THE YEAR>>> 1997

This was the 2nd event GTD ever provided and our only event in 1997 (just like in 1996). It was our 2nd Annual Adventure Trip (what we now call "SLAMMED") with the college age students from First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. This was the only Adventure Trip that that was more than 5 days long. This trip lasted 7 days and we learned the hard way that the longer we make the trip then participation will naturally decrease. Activities included camping, white water rafting, mountain biking, Six Flags, 2 days of rock climbing, touring Gatlinburg, bungee jumping, and laser tag. The cost: $150. Of course, our main focus was growing closer to God and each other. Trips like this are relationship accelerators. Our daily devotions were taken from "Experiencing God".

We had so many classic moments, hilarious happenings, and instant memories that we still joke about 19 years later... Where's Waldo?!, fudge rounds, walking through thorns, "I will give you $5 so you can eat... in exchange for all the fireworks you just bought."

There is no substitute for great memories!

GTD >>> CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!

.

CHAMPION DONOR & TABLE SPONSOR ALERT!!

We are honored to announce that GTD has received a generous donation IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE FALLEN HEROES OF POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS WORLDWIDE.

We are humbled and blessed to receive a donation with such a dignified sentiment. We highly esteem our Firefighters, Police Officers, and First Responders as they daily risk their lives to save ours.

The phenomenal person who made this donation took the "GTD Thousand Dollar Challenge" by combining a Gold Table Sponsorship (for our Dec 6th Annual Banquet) along with a Monthly Pledge x 12 mths and instantly became a GTD Champion Donor.

Their thousand dollar donation is our 3rd in 4 days as we strive for 100 Champion Donations in 2 months.

You can follow all the updates of funds raised and get more details as well as donate towards the cause on the following website link: http://gtdbullhorn.blogspot.com/p/annual-banquet.html

GTD>>> Celebrating 20 Years of Ministry!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


.

GTD FLASHBACK! (1996)

GTD FLASHBACK!

THE YEAR>>> 1996

This is one of the few pictures we have from GTD's inaugural event way back in 1996. In this picture, I'm sitting next to one of my best friends - Jeanette Dunham - on top of Starr Mtn in Etowah, TN. We just completed a day of rock climbing with a group of college students from my home church of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks (from Largo, FL). The trip was called, "How Much Can You Shove Into 4 Days!"... and we shoved A LOT of adventures into a short period of time!

So many GREAT memories!!

GTD >>> CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY!
Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


.

TABLE SPONSOR ALERT! (x 2)

We want to thank People Helping People of Pinellas Park for generously sponsoring not 1, but 2 tables for our Annual Banquet scheduled for Dec 6th.

People Helping People does so much to help people in need in our community. We are so blessed to have their support!

Interested in sponsoring a table or finding out more about our Annual Banquet? Click Here!

GTD - Love'n Life Because of Jesus Christ!


.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!! ...THE ICE HAS BEEN BROKEN!

A wonderful family that would rather not receive any recognition for their generosity has become our first Champion Donors by donating $2000 towards GTD's $100,000 goal!!!

WOW! Thank you so much generous and thoughtful donors!!! This makes a HUGE impact in our ministry!

(You can track funds raised, read updates, and get more information about our Annual Banquet & 100k Goal on our Blogsite)

To GOD be the GLORY!


.

THIS YEAR'S BANQUET GOAL: $100,000!

GTD's quality of events is thriving. Our impact is multiplying. Our outreach is expanding. Our locations are spreading. Our programs are advancing. Our 20 years of God-awesome work is not finished... it's just amping up!

You don't have to look far to see the need. Society is unraveling. Many youths are suffering. Many families are deteriorating. A lot of dads and husbands are bailing. A lot of moms and wives are overwhelmed. But we are not in despair. We believe that God has created this ministry "for such a time as this". (Esther 4:14)

Don't underestimate what God can do in a family, or in a relationship, or in an individual's life when HE has their undivided attention while surrounding them with HIS amazing creation and pushing them slightly (or drastically) outside of their comfort zone. We see it year-in and year-out. God revives, redirects, and changes lives.

(One encouraging example of this life change can be seen in a recent blog by one of our young backpacking participants.)

The great news is that God is using GTD to make a big difference in people's lives. And just because we are celebrating 20 years of ministry is not a reason for us to kick back and relax. On the contrary, God has much more work for us to do and many more lives to impact.

That is why we have set a 6 figure year-end goal of raising $100,000! It's what we need to further our mission.

We are asking up to 100 Champion Donors to take the "Thousand Dollar Challenge" and help launch GTD into 2017... and beyond!

Whether it's through a monthly pledge of $85/month for 12 months or a one-time donation of $1000 (or a combination of both, such as a $250 one-time donation along with a $65/month pledge for 12 months) you can play a decisive role in making an eternal impact in countless lives as we "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:14).

Be one of the first of up to 100 Champion Donors to catapult GTD into our next 20 years of impact! As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization this is part of our end-of-the-year Annual Fund Raising Banquet scheduled for Dec 6, 2016 in Largo, FL.

Want to become a Champion Donor? Want to sponsor a banquet table? Want more details? Click here for our Annual Banquet website

And here are some other ways of taking on the "Thousand Dollar Challenge":

$100 one-time donation AND $75 monthly pledge x 12 months, OR...
$150 table sponsorship AND $70 monthly pledge x 12 months, OR...
$250 one-time donation AND $65 monthly pledge x 12 months, OR...
$300 table sponsorship AND $60 monthly pledge x 12 months, OR...
$400 one-time donation AND $50 monthly pledge x 12 months, OR...
$450 one-time donation AND $45 monthly pledge x 12 months, OR...
$500 table sponsorship AND $40 monthly pledge x 12 months, OR...
$750 table sponsorship AND $20 monthly pledge x 12 months, OR...

Customize it! Be creative! Be unique! Have Fun!

(We use the phrase "up to 100 Champion Donors" because we realize some donors will adopt 2 or more of these thousand dollar goals. We also want to thank "Mission Increase Foundation" and "100 Shares Tampa Bay" for their God-breathed inspiration to our ministry. These are 2 phenomenal Christian organizations!)


.

YOU HELPED BUILD IT... COME CELEBRATE IT!

SAVE THE (NEW) DATE! GTD's Annual Banquet changed to Dec 6, 2016

YOU HELPED BUILD IT... COME CELEBRATE IT! If you've ever donated 1 dollar, volunteered 1 minute, or participated in 1 event then you've helped build this full-time, year-round, vibrant, Jesus-loving, God-honoring, fun-filled ministry!! So come celebrate it! We would love to thank you, hug you, and invite you on another 20 year adventure journey as we impact lives for the glory of God!

Come celebrate 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY with GTD! Be a part of a wonderful night of inspiration, excitement, and celebration. Help take GTD to the next level as we celebrate another year of fruitful labor and raise funds for 2017... and beyond!

DATE: Dec 6, 2016 (Tues Night) (This is the NEW DATE!!)
TIME: 6:30pm - 9pm
LOCATION: Largo Cultural Center (Largo, FL)
CATERED BY: Carrabba's Italian Grill
GOAL: $100,000! (Take the Thousand Dollar Challenge... 100 Donors x $1000)
TICKETS: $25/person or 2 for $40  |  Table Sponsorships start at $150 for up to 10 people

We have so many God-awesome things to celebrate! Click on this link for all the banquet details as well as to sponsor a table and register for this event. It's always a fun time! We hope to see you there!!