In the New Testament, more than half of Jesus' teaching occurred in the outdoors and the Bible shows us that Jesus highly valued experiential learning and the adventurous context of the wilderness. Jesus is Creator, so it only makes sense his ministry involved engaging with Creation.
Ashley Denton
"In an increasingly urbanized world, there is a heightened need to go out into the wilderness, to places where creation is untrammeled and awaiting to teach us through its pristine palette of God's colors. People today are busy, out of rhythm, and unable to experience the peace of Christ. Even in the church, we are tempted to expand programs instead of enlarge souls."
Rhythm of work, rest and retreat.
The rhythm of Jesus' life was rest and work. He labored hard to meet people's needs and accomplish the work the Heavenly Father gave him to do. But he regularly retreated to the outdoors for renewal and conversation with the Father. He routinely took his disciples into the wilderness to restore and prepare them to go back into the civilization to transform it. The Salt Lake Fellows works under the framework of this rhythm; to work out of Sabbath rest and to take regular retreats into creation for rejuvenation and restoration. The Fellows will be required to participate in TFI conferences, SLF retreats, personal retreats, and an amount of technology and screen free time each week.
Learning outside the classroom.
We believe that engaging with the world around us creates an atmosphere for personal growth. That is why Thursdays are set aside for Adventure Excursions, classes that take place outside the classroom. Through shared and individual experiences whether in the city or in the mountains we can be developed holistically to grow in the grace of Christ. These excursions might involve extreme sports like white water rafting or snow skiing or exploring the Mormon Tabernacle or programs in the city like Housing First. We embrace the adventure!
Romans 8:12-17
“...God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirit and confirms who we really are. We know who He is and we know who we are. Father and children.”