~ Rev. Ben Pascal
This article was originally published in PCJH’s Fall / Winter 2025 Pinnacle, “Life Together”
If you’ve ever stood on the top of the Bridger Gondola for Easter sunrise, or paused on a trail in Grand Teton National Park to take in the sweeping valley below, you know what it means to be caught up in awe. The view takes your breath away, and suddenly life feels bigger, fuller, and more connected to God’s grandeur.
That’s how I feel as we step into this next chapter together at PCJH. Over the past year, our Session, staff, and congregation have been prayerfully discerning the heart of who we are and who God is calling us to be. We’ve listened to one another, leaned into Scripture, and sought the leading of the Holy Spirit. Out of this process, we have articulated a clear vision, mission, and set of values—anchored in the gospel of Jesus Christ—that will guide us for years to come.
And like standing on a mountain peak, when we see the view of where God is leading us, we can’t help but be filled with hope, wonder, and anticipation.
Our Vision: Lives Transformed in Jesus Christ
At the core of it all, our vision is simple yet profound: to see lives being transformed in Jesus Christ. Transformation is not just about incremental change; it is about resurrection power. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” We’ve seen glimpses of this already at PCJH—people finding faith for the first time, families being strengthened, neighbors experiencing Christ’s love through service, and individuals discovering healing and hope. This vision calls us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, trusting that He is still in the business of transforming lives in Jackson Hole and beyond.
Our Mission: Life Together
Vision gives us the “why.” Mission gives us the “how.” At PCJH, our mission is this: Life Together: Rooted in Christ, Reaching Out in Love. Life together is not optional in the
Christian journey—it is essential. Jesus called individual disciples to form a community bound together by love. Like the aspen groves in our valley, which appear as many trees but share one root system, we are deeply connected in Christ.
Being rooted in Christ means grounding our lives in his Word, his presence, and his Spirit. It means our identity and stability come not from culture, wealth, or success but from a relationship with the living God. And reaching out in love means that faith is never just about us. Just as the Snake River flows outward, nourishing all it touches, so must our lives in Christ flow outward with generosity, service, and compassion.
Our Values: Anchors for the Journey
To support this vision and mission, we have identified four core values—anchors that will shape who we are becoming:
• Spirit-Filled Worship: Worship that draws us into God’s
presence and gives Him glory.
• Christ-Centered Discipleship: Equipping one another through Scripture, prayer, stewardship, and community.
• Life-Giving Relationships: Hospitality, unity, and care that create a welcoming and supportive family.
• Outward-Focused Mission: Sharing Christ’s hope with
neighbors near and far through love in action.
These values are not abstract ideals. They are the lifeblood of our community, the markers of a healthy church, and the practices by which we embody the love of Jesus in Jackson Hole.
Strategic Focus: Five Pathways
Forward
A vision without action is just a dream. That is why we have also identified five
strategic focus areas that will help us live into our calling in tangible, Spirit-led ways.
1. Worship: Enhancing Engagement & Impact
Worship is the heartbeat of our life together. Just as the peaks of the Tetons rise above the valley, worship lifts our eyes beyond ourselves to the majesty of God.
We are committed to developing Spirit-filled, participatory worship that resonates with all generations. This includes ensuring we have the staff and volunteers needed to lead the way, strengthening music and technology, incorporating storytelling and testimonies, and expanding worship beyond Sunday mornings—through outdoor services, midweek gatherings, and digital offerings. We want worship at PCJH to reflect God’s excellence, draw people into His
presence, and inspire transformation.
2. Discipleship: Creating a Culture of Growth
In Jackson Hole, people train rigorously for ski season, trail runs, or mountain climbs. In the same way, discipleship is training in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7–8). It takes intentionality and discipline.
Our goal is to make discipleship accessible and engaging for all stages of life. This means creating a clear pathway—from worship, a new discipilieship path to Rooted 101, to small groups, to leadership opportunities. It means expanding small group options, launching mentorship programs, better engaging men and young adults in ways that connect with our valley’s culture, and offering hybrid learning opportunities for our busy, mobile community.
We want to cultivate a church where spiritual growth is expected, celebrated,
and shared.
3. Families: Strengthening Multi-Generational Connections
Families are the backbone of any community. In a valley where many parents juggle demanding work schedules, seasonal employment, and the high cost of living, supporting families in faith is vital.
We envision PCJH as a place where children, youth, parents, and grandparents thrive together. This includes expanding childcare and youth programs, supporting parents with resources and prayer, offering family fellowship opportunities, and creating intergenerational worship.
We also recognize the need to reach out to single parents, offering respite and support. Our goal is to strengthen the faith of the next generation while building bonds that span across generations.
4. Wilderness Ministry: Connecting Faith & Nature
Few places on earth reveal God’s glory through creation like Jackson Hole. Psalm 19 declares: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of
his hands.”
Our wilderness ministry will invite people to encounter God through the beauty of creation—whether on a guided hike, a camping retreat, or an adventure discipleship experience. By offering opportunities for all skill levels, training leaders, and partnering with local parks, we can help people grow in faith while exploring the mountains, rivers, and trails of our valley.
This ministry will not only connect people to God through nature but also create deep relationships forged in the shared wonder of His creation.
5. Partnerships: Strengthening Community Collaboration
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Our light shines brighter when we partner with others.
PCJH is committed to deepening our collaboration with local organizations, with our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters at Centro De Vida Cristiana, and with other community leaders and organizations. Together, we can address pressing needs like housing, mental health, childcare, and food insecurity.
One key initiative in this area is The Home+Sted Project, which will provide housing for PCJH staff and possibly others outside our church family with similiar values. In a valley where housing is one of the greatest barriers to ministry, this project is both visionary and practical. By ensuring our leaders can live where they serve, we strengthen our church’s future and witness to the community.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Prayer and Participation
Friends, this vision and strategy are not just ideas on paper. They are a call to action. A call to trust God for more than we can imagine. A call to offer our gifts, time, prayers, and resources so that lives may be transformed in Jesus Christ.
Standing at the top of the tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, you can see miles in every direction—the Snake River winding through the valley, the Tetons piercing the sky, the world stretching out in beauty and possibility. That’s how I see our future together. God has given us a breathtaking view of what can be. Now he invites us to step forward in faith.
Will you join me in praying for PCJH? Will you join me in living out this mission—Life Together: Rooted in Christ, Reaching Out in Love? Together, let’s trust that God, who began a good work among us, will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).
The best is yet to come.
With hope in Christ, ✝