By Tim Strickland, Director of Christ in the Smokies My dad’s stories were legendary. Growing up as his son, I experienced some of those with him personally. Others I had heard all my life. I relished in hearing them over and over again. Allen Strickland, Tim’s dad, front row on right end When I met and […]
Wes Potter and his son, Jake, a college student, were gifted the opportunity to attend Passage to Manhood camp by Wes’s wife at Christmas. Wes shares that both he and his son were at a difficult time in their lives, so the timing for the trip was perfect. Wes could see that he and his […]
When Paul and Thomas Metz joined us at Christ in the Smokies Passage to Manhood camp, Thomas had just graduated high school and would be heading off to college in the fall, and Paul had been in search of a unique one-on-one adventure with Thomas. Back at home, “he and I didn’t get much time […]
written by Tim Strickland, Director of Christ in the Smokies On a recent trip to Israel, we visited the Elah Valley to see where David, as a young shepherd boy, slew Goliath who mocked David—but more importantly, mocked David’s God. The short version is that the Philistines gathered their armies for battle and stood on […]
Pam Boyett gifted her brother and nephew the adventure of a lifetime—a trip together to grow in their relationship to each other and to the Lord.
Father and son Kenny and Barrett Caldwell share their experience at Christ in the Smokies Passage to Manhood Camp—and how it was just the beginning of the journey toward a deeper relationship.
Christ in the Smokies board member Mike Teston shares how God is meeting him in the mu, or the middle, especially in his recent cancer diagnosis.
written by Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Christ in the Rockies board member and alumnus Life is built on relationships, and the father-son relationship is a special one. Regardless of where a father and son are in their journey, it’s a process that is always in development. With intentionality, you can improve a strained father son relationship or increase […]
written by John Ellard, Christ in the Smokies committee member and alumnus Last fall, I listened to my voicemail from a friend and heard, “I’m in trouble. I have really messed up and need your help.” I received an email from a different friend on New Year’s Eve saying he was checking himself into rehab. One thing that […]
“I felt humbled, grateful and just eager to continue to get to know my boy—the way I envisioned when I held him as a baby.” Bill Gerdes shares how there is no price that can be placed on the gift that he and his son left with after their time at Christ in the Smokies.
written by Jason Carr, Christ in the Smokies volunteer I’ve had the honor of working with and investing in teenage guys for almost 25 years. In that time span, I’ve seen God do some incredible things in the lives of generations and I’ve also seen some frightening changes in our culture. As culture has moved […]
David and Preson Clarke started out their time at camp feeling a little hesitant to share their feelings and regrets, but they drove away from camp closer than ever and “seeing each other as men with a common purpose to lead as Jesus intended.” Read more about this experience that changed this father and son’s relationship.
“This was a special time with Cameron that will leave me with no regrets, knowing that he was blessed and called into manhood by his Dad while honoring our Heavenly Father,” Trip Campbell reflects on his time with his son at Passage to Manhood Camp in 2020.
written by Mike Teston, Christ in the Smokies committee member and alumnus My father was a good man. He was kind, a hard worker, and he loved to laugh and have a good time. He grew up very poor on a farm in north Florida, where he learned about working on engines. Being mostly self-taught, he […]
Brandon Smith reflects upon the liberating experience he and his son Shannon had at Passage to Manhood Camp that brought the two men closer as father and son and helped them heal wounds of the past.
Greg Routt had such an amazing experience at our inaugural Passage to Manhood Camp with his oldest son that he brought his middle son the next year, and plans to bring his youngest son too!
Adult son Sebastián Muñoz was thrilled to attend our Passage to Manhood Camp with his father John. The two men had an incredible experience and grew in their relationship. Read Sebastián’s reflections on their experience.
Passage to Manhood Camp alumnus Scott DuBois shares how fathers can be life-givers to their sons by affirming them for who they are, not what they’ve done.
From time to time, we want to bring you the stories of some of the fathers and sons who have attended Christ in the Smokies’ Passage to Manhood Camp. In this post, read about Gavin and Tristan Philipps’ experience.
Christ in the Smokies committee member and alumnus Mike Teston shares why it’s worth the risk to attend Christ in the Smokies’ Passage to Manhood Camp.