Kristina Davenport | Trek Guide, Friends Community Church & EFC-MA Student Ministries Coordinator
There’s just something special about stepping into the wilderness, God’s perfect creation. I don’t know about you, but that is when I feel closest to God. Aside from the obvious beauty found in the lush wildflowers, mountain peaks, and aspen groves, there’s beauty in the natural state of our planet: the dance of flying insects as they locate food, the curiosity of a Canada Jay at his new neighbors, the twists and shards of fallen trees, making room for new saplings to spring forth. Something holy occurs when we take the time to lay down our comforts and distractions and really get into creation and meet our Creator.
Tim Bullard, of the since closed Langham Creek Friends, understood the value of communion with God and others in nature. Throughout the nineties and early aughts, he brought groups of people, ranging in age and ability, into the New Mexican wilderness for a week of practicing the sacrifice of comfort and called it Trek. Friends Community Church was heavily involved in Trek over the years, most of the youth throughout the 1990’s having gone on at least one Trek (many individuals participating on multiple trips). All of them with fond memories. My husband, Chase, participated in multiple Treks throughout his young adult years. Tim retired Trek in 2015.
In 2022, at the urging of Chase, his brother, Hayes, and I decided to revive Trek. Neither of us had experienced Trek but we both had extensive backpacking knowledge and experience. We brought on Abigail Davenport (who participated in the original Trek at age 12) and started Trek 2.0. Over the last three years, we escorted 16 intergenerational people (five of them on multiple occasions) into the Pecos Wilderness with nothing but the 40+ pound packs on our backs and miles of trail ahead.
Our five days and four nights in God’s creation cannot be interrupted by emails, texts, or social media; there is no phone reception there! As a group, we relearn what it means to connect with one another, face to face. This is important because we learn quickly in the wilderness that our team is stronger when we’re working together. We are very intentional to enjoy communion with one another while we participate together in prayer, labor (cooking, fire building, fetching and filtering water, setting up/breaking down camp), physical exercise as we hike, and meals. Participation in community life through praying, working, sharing, and worshipping together helps us to better understand what it means to be active participants in the Body of Christ. In addition to the communal aspect of Trek, there is a personal component. Individually, we chose to practice the spiritual discipline of simplicity by eliminating distractions, limiting our clothing and equipment to essential needs only, and eating a simple diet. Simplicity, as a discipline, is willingly letting go of things to be prepared to go wherever God is leading you.
No two Treks are ever the same. Due to the fickle nature of the wilderness, we have to adapt our schedule, routes, campsites, and plans based on the conditions that we experience. Typically, we have three long hiking days with our full packs covering a total of 22 miles, broken up by a couple of layover days in which we stay in one campsite. It’s during these layover days that we take our smaller daypacks and attempt to summit one of the many mountain peaks in our vicinity. In most cases, we cover around 22-30 miles for the week. Through this experience we learn to trust and rely on God’s care and provision for us throughout the journey.
In 2023, Tim Bullard turned 75. His wish was to summit East Pecos Baldy for the last time on his birthdate. We got a team together, strapped on our packs, and victory marched through the New Mexican terrain. On September 10th, Tim’s birthday, we summited East Pecos Baldy (12,529 feet). For some for us it was the first time. For Tim, supposedly his final. Though I’m not fully convinced that was Tim’s last hurrah, he’s got grandsons hoping to make the Trek with him in the near future.
These last few years have been humbling and edifying. Each Trek special in its own way, with their different challenges and triumphs. Without our everyday distractions, we have margin to see God at work. Recognizing His faithfulness in the wilderness allows us to be more attuned to His presence in our everyday lives. Trek isn’t easy, but it is simple. Freedom in Christ can be found through the spiritual discipline of simplicity. I think that’s why Trek has so many repeat participants.
If Trek 2.0 is something you’re interested in participating in or would like to hear more about it, feel free to reach out to me. We’d love to have you join us as we walk with the Creator. Or, if you participated on a past Trek with Tim, please feel free to share your stories with me so that I may share them with Tim!
“And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’” – Isaiah 6:3
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