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A man from Pennsylvania is sharing the gospel in a unique way on the mountainside, offering donuts and hope to people on the slopes.
Josh Knipple is a married youth pastor with four kids who also participates with Snowboarders and Skiers for Christ (SFC). He's a ski shop professional who loves to share his faith with random people he meets on the ski hills.
The family of six live in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Knipple's winter ministry finds him on the slopes of the nearby Laurel Mountain.
"You have that peace when you're out here on the mountain—you get away from the noise of life, get away from busyness," Josh says. "A lot of days, I'll come out here and spend time in prayer, just ride up the lift."
Knipple finds that true heart transformation comes from building relationships.
"What do you think Jesus did? He spent time with people. He built relationships with them, ate with them, drank with them… that's ministry."
For Knipple and others who are a part of SFC, they find it easiest to connect with people while snowboarding or skiing. Another aspect Knipple has added is bringing donuts up the ski lift and offering them to people.
"Who doesn't like a donut? Build relationships, share Jesus—the best way to say it is to be myself and allow people to see how Jesus has changed my heart and let them know He can do that for them."
Knipple has known many people who choose the snowboarding lifestyle can often be plagued with addictions and mental health struggles.
"The main mission of SFC is building relationships with people, pointing them to Jesus, and eventually bridging them back to a local church. Because we know that salvation isn't the endpoint—coming to know Jesus is the beginning."
Another way Knipple serves is by facilitating an outreach program out of the basement of his dad's church.
"Whether it's with the homeless, here on the mountain, or here at a church, it's getting to know people by their name, one-on-one—building that personal relationship with them."