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!!

2 FOR 1 SALE!!! (HAVASU FALLS)

We have 10 permits remaining for our Havasu Falls Backpacking Trip that starts in 3 weeks so we are running a 2 for 1 SALE!!

Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to one of the most extraordinary locations within the Grand Canyon!!

I doubt we will ever be able to offer this great of a deal again!! But we would rather see the trip filled up then have any unused permits.

Trip Dates: Nov 18-23 (you will be home in time for Thanksgiving!)

Cost: 2 people for $799

Website Link: http://gtdbullhorn.blogspot.com/p/havasu-falls.html?m=1

When Registering select the $799 option and you will automatically be signed up for 2 people (simply add their name and contact info into the appropriate spot on the Registration Form)

Hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!!

GTD, Welcome To FLAGSTAFF! (New Gear Cache Location!!)

We are excited to announce that GTD has chosen beautiful Flagstaff, AZ as our next Gear Cache location! Flagstaff is a wise and strategic choice for GTD for several reasons (but especially because of its location, location, location). It's the largest city near the Grand Canyon to which we've offered yearly trips since 2011. We have multiple airports to choose from which increases flexibility, options, and cost savings opportunities (Phoenix is only 2 hours away, Las Vegas is 3.5 hours away, Albuquerque is 4.5 hours away, and Flagstaff itself has a local airport that is serviced by American Airlines). Flagstaff is also located within "The Grand Circle" which has the highest concentration of National Parks & National Monuments (as well as a phenomenal network of scenic byways) inside the United States! It seems like almost all of our trips out west pass through or near this wonderful city so, in many ways, Flagstaff is a natural choice as GTD's next Gear Cache location. We are thrilled about the growth, development, and outreach that we believe will result from this!

What is a GTD Gear Cache location? It is a strategic location in which we store (also known as: "cache") camping and adventure gear so that GTD can more efficiently and cost effectively provide Christ-centered group outings at spectacular nearby destinations. Instead of having to transport all of our gear from Florida each trip a gear cache enables us to save time, money, and tons of extra effort by being easily and readily available for use at a moment's notice. This "ease of access" also enables us to potentially run events year round instead of being limited to only certain weeks of the year. This obviously increases our ministry potential and fruitfulness. Our Gear Caches are covered by insurance and stored in professional temperature controlled private secure storage units in safe locations.

This means many more GTD events out west!! Praise the Lord!

.

Monday Morning, Funday Morning

Monday morning breakfast at Trip's Diner with our BFF (and part timer)! Great way to start the work week =)

WE DID IT! OUR FIRST 14'er!!

On our last full day in Colorado we hiked one of the state's 14,000 ft mountains (there are 54 "14'ers" in Colorado and it has become a popular challenge among hiking enthusiasts). This one is named, "Handies Peak" and it's located outside of Lake City, CO.

It was a phenomenal experience within an unbelievable day. We will have to share the full story about the entire day when we get time. But it ended with a Google Maps fiasco that caused us to drive 9 hrs to get 38 miles (from 8:30pm till 5:30am). We are EXHAUSTED!!

Check out the pics and see if this is a challenge you would like to do one day.

I'm so proud of Laurie!! She led the entire trek and CRUSHED IT!

GTD's COLORADO RECON!

HIKING the Via Ferrata in Telluride, Colorado (Part 2)

I can't describe this hike better than the pictures do... you've just got to see it to believe it!!

(So impressed with Laurie!)

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!! (Via Ferrata - Part 1)

I've been bungee jumping, skydiving, rappelling, blah, blah, blah, but THIS may have been the most adventurous and scariest thing I've EVER done!

Yesterday Laurie and I spent 5 1/2 hrs HIKING the Via Ferrata in Telluride, Colorado (this wasn't rock climbing, this was a day hike!). It's one of the most rare and most gnarly hikes in the United States! It's a hike along a cliff that requires special protective gear as you clip onto safety cables to prevent falling hundreds of feet. At times the trail completely disappears (as seen in this picture) and you have to hike on metal brackets that have been bolted into the side of the cliff!

This is one of the main activities that drew me to this part of Colorado, and it EXCEEDED every expectation! Of course there is SO MUCH MORE to Telluride, Colorado than this hike, but this is such a rare, once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list adventure that it alone is worth the visit.

We have a lot more amazing pictures to share from this hike. Stay tuned!

WOW!

These old coal mining towns are nothing less than modern day gems!

Stopped in Ouray, Colorado for a coffee as we travel to Telluride. Another wonderful small town surrounded by unmatched beauty!

The entire drive is a nonstop feast for the eyes!!

GTD's COLORADO RECON!

Mesa Verde National Park! (Coming 2017!)

Just outside of Durango, Colorado lies one of the most unique National Parks in the United States called Mesa Verde. Within this big beautiful scenic landscape are several remarkably well preserved cliff dwellings which were built by and inhabited by generations of Ancestral Pueblo people for over 750 years.

We enjoyed a fascinating tour of one of these cliff dwellings which included multiple ladder climbs, small cave crawls, Ranger led education, and an upclose hands-on exploration of the actual building itself. It's an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience!

This is one National Park that you will want to include on your Bucket List and GTD is excited to include this as part of our inaugural trip to Colorado in 2017!

GTD's COLORADO RECON!