by Co-Directors Dave Degler and Amy Kennedy
This article was originally published in PCJH’s Summer 2025 Pinnacle, “Partners in the Gospel”

There is something about the raw beauty of the national parks that invites people into an experience with the Creator. In these disconnected and remote places, God’s beauty and love shines so evidently it provides the perfect context for people to question and listen.

This past winter season, a Grand Teton National Park team member shared this:

“I’m so grateful for ACMNP. As I look back on my past seasons, what stands out the most is the curiosity among the people I’ve lived with. A curiosity that sparks questions – questions with the power to transform lives. The very same questions I once had, which led me to this life of ministry. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and I will proclaim this truth on every mountain and flatland I encounter.”

This experience is common for team members who serve with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP). They lead worship services, share their faith in Christ, serve others, and develop leadership capacities and skills. An estimated 17,000 alumni have served in over 40 parks during the last 74 years!

ACMNP hosted its first official worship event during the summer of 1951 in Yellowstone National Park. Warren Ost, a Princeton Seminary student, identified the need for community with his coworkers and for a worship event in the park. Warren was offered use of the only public location vacant and available on a Sunday morning -the bar in the Old Faithful Inn. While this bar is now gone, ACMNP thrives throughout the United States.

ACMNP enjoys a storied history in GTNP and a critical collaboration with the Presbyterian Church in Jackson Hole.. ACMNP’s presence in the park goes back to the late 1950s. Founder Warren Ost, with wife Nancy and daughter Laura, spent summers in a small, leased cabin on Antelope Flats Road. ACMNP gatherings in the late 1970s through 1990s were hosted or attended by the Ost’s, Laurance and Mary Rockefeller, Gil and Marge Ordway, James Watt, Holly Coors, Caroline Firestone, and Clay James, just to “name-drop” a few! Rumor has it Larry and Barbara Van Genderen and Warren and Martha Van Genderen were also guests.

History is still being written through ACMNP’s relationship with PCJH! The impact of park ministry is enhanced by the church, its missions committee, Ben Pascal, and Tammy Mitchell. Ally Kiefer and Brian Bultema, PCJH staff members, are ACMNP alumni and encouraging supporters! The legacy of leadership of the late Martha Van Genderen is difficult to overstate. Even so, the local Ministry Support Committee in GTNP is among the ministry’s best assets.

ACMNP summer ministry is offered throughout GTNP including the Gros Ventre Campground, Jenny Lake, Signal Mountain, Colter Bay, and Jackson Lake Lodge. You will also find a summer team at Flagg Ranch on the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. 

Several years ago, ACMNP joined PCJH’s Sunday worship ministry at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, an effort Pastor Ben led for many years. 

An ACMNP team member shared his outreach experience on the mountain, 

“I connect with workers and visitors via what I call, The Gondola Ministry. As a single skier, I join other single riders as we head up the mountain. I have enjoyed many great conversations about how I got to Jackson and the ministry of ACMNP. While the chairlift ride is not conducive to in-depth conversations that leave a big impact, I am hopeful they begin a spark of thought that would not otherwise occur during work or vacation.”

Each year, faithful men and women embrace God’s call to serve in the wildest and most beautiful places on the planet. They work to fulfill ACMNP’s mission to, “equip team members to share Christ’s love through work, worship, and service in the national parks.” Their impact in park communities is vital, transformative, and life-giving.

Co-Executive Director, Amy Kennedy, met a front desk worker who said, “I love the people on your ACMNP team. They are the friendliest and most wonderful group. I met one of them and she made me feel safe and comfortable and we became fast friends. I’ve met everyone on the team, and they are the best people I have met in the world. I just want you to know what an impact they are making.”

We are grateful for the encouragement, generosity, prayers, and partnership of PCJH. Thank you for helping ACMNP’s Ministry Team Members as they impact others with the love of Jesus Christ.