Program areas at ACMNP
ACMNP recruits, trains, and sends team members into US National Parks to lead worship services, build community through relational ministry, nurture park stewardship, and gain leadership skills while serving in an interdenominational ministry. The primary program is based around an entire summer or winter season which allows team members to work a full-time job within the community. Recruiting is focused on college and seminary campuses as well as online. Training is provided via two national training conferences in Denver and Chicago. Ongoing support for the seasonal teams is given through a Ministry Support Committee, which is a group of local residents who support and encourage team members. Additional support is provided through park visits from ACMNP national staff and other trained volunteers. This year, 137 team members served in 33 parks and were supported by 105 Ministry Support Committee volunteers.
ACMNP organizes and leads short-term service-oriented trips to national parks for the purposes of experiencing park ministry, worship in parks, volunteer services and leadership development. This year, 73 individuals participated in these experiential service trips.
ACMNP is committed to leadership development. Through an expanded application process, participants are selected for advanced leadership training, including a professional leadership assessment experience and opportunities for the practical application of leadership efforts at the national training conferences and in the parks. Pastoral leadership experience and leadership development is encouraged by providing scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to qualified seminary students who serve as team members. This year, 10 individuals participated in the advanced leadership program. There were 25 total scholarships offered including 10 seminary scholarships, 10 for the advanced leadership program, and 5 who were selected for their exceptional service in season.