"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"
Mark 16:15
© Copyright, 2025, Westpoint Church of the Frontier. All rights reserved.
What We Do
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"
Mark 16:15
We are a church of missionaries, for missionaries, on this mission. Our net is cast wide, and all are welcome, but we focus primarily on training global missionary leaders to act as force multipliers in spreading the gospel. We choose to do this in the most productive way we've ever found--wilderness ministry training.Christian population growth as a percentage of total global population is decelerating. Christianity is increasingly non-self-sustaining. Due to shifting demographics and birth rates, by current estimates there will be a turning point, likely about 2060, where approximately half the religion practiced in the world will be something other than Christianity. This concerns us and, in our view, requires action.Our missionaries train to meet souls on their journey, whenever and wherever that may be. We provide a superior biblical education to ensure future missionaries have the practical tools and training to safely and successfully perform their mission. We believe the days of multi-year residential seminaries steeped in denominational dogma have come to an end. Practical missional theology is the way forward.We believe in the ancient concept of sola scriptura. We let the gospel speak for itself.After four decades of global travel and mission work, we understand how to do this, viscerally, and we're perfecting the process.To learn more about Westpoint Church of the Frontier, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What denomination is the church?
The church is non-denominational, as is the Holy Bible.What, then, does the church believe?
The church believes the divinely inspired authenticity of the Holy Bible, and in the ancient concept of sola scriptura. We seek to understand fully the message within the Holy Bible, and to educate those willing to learn.What bible does the church use?
The church uses the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible. The NIV is a completely original translation of the Bible developed by more than one hundred scholars working from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. For ease of adoption, translation, and multicultural teaching, we find the NIV to be best suited.Why is this church needed?
We truly wish it wasn't needed. Wilderness ministry training responds to a profound spiritual crisis in our digital age. As individuals become increasingly disconnected from both natural rhythms and spiritual disciplines, wilderness ministry creates a deliberate counter-space where authentic faith formation can occur. This approach addresses several critical needs:First, it disrupts the constant digital immersion that prevents deep spiritual reflection. In wilderness settings, without technological distractions, participants encounter both their vulnerability and God's presence with unusual clarity.Second, it provides experiential rather than merely intellectual faith development. Abstract theological concepts become lived realities when tested against physical challenges and community interdependence in wilderness contexts.Finally, wilderness ministry reconnects contemporary spiritual practice with the biblical pattern demonstrated by Jesus, John the Baptist, and the prophets—establishing continuity between modern discipleship and the foundational experiences of our faith tradition. In a world of fragmented attention and commodified spirituality, wilderness ministry offers not an escape but a return to essential Christian formation.Why is denominational church attendance rapidly declining in the United States?
Research shows there are several reasons for the rapid decline, all of which serve as an indictment of "traditional" denominational churches. When considering church, seminary, or other religious education, purveyors of the failing model might not be the best choice for success. The largest contributing factors are:
✟ Churches following "trends" and endorsing heretical lifestyles.
✟ Church scandals.
✟ Lack of service options.
✟ Technology.
✟ Glorification of materialism and consumerism.Is this a church, a mission, or a seminary?
Yes. Our theological training is second to none. In our view, high quality biblical education and missional theology need to be available to a wider audience. The bible is very clear that the "church" in the bible is about a people, not a building. (1 Corinthians 3:9, Ephesians 2:19-22, Acts 7:48-49, Matthew 18:20, 1 Peter 2:5, Colossians 1:18, Romans 16:5, Revelation 21:3). Our church is a mission run by dedicated missionary theologians who understand the existential threat to Christianity in the face global demographics, declining western birth rates, and the deleterious influence of technology. Our tent must be bigger. We must invigorate those most likely to dwell in Christianity.Is there a Rector and is he ordained?
Yes, we have a traditional rector who runs the mission. He holds multiple non-theological degrees in his lifelong professional discipline. Additionally, his seminary training is from the Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Orland, Pennsylvania. He is member in good standing of the National Association of Christian Ministers, and a licensed Chaplain. He serves as the Rector, Chaplain, and Lead Missionary at Westpoint Church of the Frontier.What do people wear when working with the church?
Come as you are--jeans, cowboy hat, work gloves in your back pocket. If we're hiking, dress in hiking gear. Dress for the weather and for safety. We're not here to impress each other. We just ask that you do your best not to be a distraction to others. All ages attend outings and missions, so clothing should reflect that consideration.I'm in need of spiritual counseling. Is someone available?
Always. Our Chaplain will make himself available as needed for general spiritual counseling. Further, he and the church have a deep well of knowledge and can refer you to the community should you need more specialized counseling.I'm in need of marriage counseling. Is someone available?
Yes. We offer general spiritual counseling, to include spiritual marriage counseling.I'm getting married. Can someone from the church marry us?
Yes, of course. We'd be honored. Please contact us to get started.We want to get married in a non-traditional setting. Will the Officiant mind being outside, in a barn, or in a pavilion?
We'd love it. We're missionaries. You can't get far enough off the beaten path for us. We would be honored to do so. Please contact us to get started.Someone I care for is not well. Can someone come to my loved one for spiritual care?
If it all possible, we will. Please contact us to get started.Are donations to the church tax deductible?
No. We seek no earthly permission to practice our faith. We recognize no constraints on our faith. Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code severely constrains the free speech and political activities of churches. We speak our minds and act in our own best interest. The cost of that freedom in the United States is tax exempt status. We believe our long-term best interest is better served by vociferously advocating in our own best interest, without constraints. We have a single generous benefactor who is unconcerned about tax exemption. Further, the church derives a very small but sufficient income from tuition, the sale of writings, and social media posts. This stream of income only covers our cost to distribute educational materials. If you choose to make donation, please contact us for more information.Is your educational process accredited?
There is no competent accrediting authority to accredit us. To our knowledge, we are the only organization to offer this program. We follow the ancient concept of sola scriptura brought to us by Martin Luther. There is no mention of "accreditation" in the Holy Bible. Further, it is our experience and view that academic accreditation in the United States has devolved into a performative bureaucratic exercise that privileges institutional compliance over educational excellence. Agencies routinely rubber-stamp subpar programs while imposing costly administrative burdens that divert resources from actual teaching and research. The result? A credentialing cartel that stifles innovation, and exponentially inflates the cost to access education. This is a primary, underlying cause of the decline of Christianity in the West. Our education is as academically rigorous, if not more so, than most elite seminaries. Further, we put the academic work to test in the field, on actual missions. We do this because we value outcomes over arbitrary accreditation designed to impose crippling expense to small competitive institutions. You can see the current effect of "accreditation" as small seminaries and divinity schools are being forced into insolvency and are thereafter "reconstituted" under the flag of a secular, for-profit holding corporation acting as an accredited administrative university with different legacy brands. For whom do those institutions and "seminaries" toil?
Wilderness Ministry Training
WHY THIS WORKSIn our hyperconnected age of incessant notifications, algorithmic feeds, and fractured attention, wilderness ministry offers a profound counterbalance—a sacred space where contemporary Christians may encounter God with the same clarity and transformative power experienced by biblical figures. The wilderness, far from being merely a physical location devoid of human presence, represents a spiritual paradigm that remains vitally relevant to modern faith formation.The biblical narrative consistently presents wilderness experiences as crucibles of spiritual formation. Moses encountered God in the burning bush while tending flocks in the wilderness of Midian (Exodus 3:1-2). Later, the Israelites' forty-year wilderness journey became the defining narrative of their covenant relationship with God. David, before ascending to kingship, developed his intimate relationship with God while hiding in wilderness regions, composing psalms that continue to articulate the human yearning for divine presence.John the Baptist exemplifies wilderness ministry in its purest form. Scripture tells us he lived in the desert regions, subsisting on locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:6). His wilderness existence was not merely ascetic practice but prophetic embodiment—his physical separation from centers of power and cultural accommodation allowed him to proclaim truth with uncompromising clarity. The wilderness became both his pulpit and his credential.Christ himself demonstrated the spiritual necessity of wilderness retreat. Following his baptism, Jesus was "led by the Spirit into the wilderness" for forty days (Luke 4:1-2), where his identity and mission were tested. Throughout his ministry, Jesus regularly withdrew to desolate places to pray (Luke 5:16), establishing a rhythm of engagement and withdrawal that sustained his public work.In our contemporary context, wilderness ministry addresses several critical spiritual challenges. First, it disrupts the technological captivity that fragments our attention and mediates our experiences through screens. The unfiltered reality of natural environments restores our capacity for direct encounter—with creation, ourselves, and ultimately with God. Second, wilderness experiences strip away the artificial scaffolding of social status, material comfort, and scheduled efficiency that often insulate us from existential questions and spiritual vulnerability. Third, the wilderness provides an experiential counterpoint to the prevailing cultural narrative of human dominance and self-sufficiency.When young believers navigate challenging terrain, weather unpredictable elements, and depend on community for basic needs, they embody theological truths about human limitation and divine provision that might otherwise remain abstract concepts. The wilderness becomes not merely a teaching tool but a living parable.What makes wilderness ministry particularly powerful is not simply its contrast with contemporary distractions, but its connection to the biblical pattern of spiritual formation. When modern Christians step into wilderness spaces, they participate in the same archetypal journey traveled by Moses, Elijah, John, and Jesus. The wilderness becomes a trans-temporal sacred space where contemporary believers join the communion of saints who have encountered God beyond the boundaries of civilization.In an age characterized by digital distraction, moral relativism, and spiritual disembodiment, wilderness ministry offers not a retreat from reality but an immersion into it—a return to the foundational context where humans have historically encountered the divine with unmediated clarity. The wilderness remains what it has always been: not merely an escape from society's noise, but the very setting where God's voice becomes most distinct.WILDERNESS MINISTRY TRAININGThe call to global mission work demands unprecedented preparation that combines deep theological understanding with practical field competencies. Our Wilderness Ministry Training is designed to equip individuals with both the spiritual foundation and technical skills necessary for effective cross-cultural ministry in remote and challenging environments.This comprehensive program integrates biblical scholarship, theological training, medical preparation, and aviation operations. Through a carefully structured curriculum, students develop the diverse skill set required for wilderness missionary work - from sophisticated theological understanding to practical emergency response capabilities. The program's unique combination of academic rigor and hands-on training prepares graduates to serve effectively in various global contexts, whether in urban centers or remote locations.Our curriculum builds systematically from foundational biblical studies through advanced practical skills. Beginning with a thorough grounding in Old and New Testament studies, students develop the theological framework essential for cross-cultural ministry. This biblical foundation is complemented by intensive training in emergency medicine and aviation operations, ensuring graduates can navigate the logistical and safety challenges of global mission work.The program emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application, with significant time dedicated to hands-on training and real-world scenarios. Students participate in simulated emergency situations, practice medical evacuation procedures, and develop crucial decision-making skills for challenging environments. This practical emphasis, combined with robust theological training, produces graduates who are both spiritually grounded and technically competent.Through completion of this training, students will be prepared to:
✟ Articulate and apply biblical theology in diverse cultural contexts
✟ Respond effectively to medical emergencies in remote settings
✟ Support and coordinate mission aviation operations
✟ Navigate cross-cultural challenges with wisdom and sensitivity
✟ Execute critical safety and survival procedures
✟ Integrate theological understanding with practical ministryThe Westpoint Mission Wilderness Ministry Training represents our commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders with both the spiritual depth and practical capabilities needed for effective global ministry in the 21st century.OUR NEXt WILDERNESS MINISTRY TRAININGApril 29-06 May (SOLD OUT)
Westpoint Church of the Frontier | Destinations (2025)
We choose to train in the United States for three primary reasons:✟ The United States ranks 48th out of 50 Western nations for Christian identity. This is largely due to the failing system of denominational churches and seminaries, along with insidious cultural trends. We need to get our own house in order, so we can set an example and best help the rest of the world. Towards that end, there's plenty of work to do right here in the United States.
✟ To keep expenses as low as possible for our goal of exceptional training.
✟ Safety.We have selected training destinations to match any climate a missionary might expect, anywhere in the world.Westpoint, TN (HQ)
Ouray, CO (Mountain)
Taos, NM (Desert)
Bahia-Honda, FL (Tropical)
Yukon-Charley Rivers, AK (Arctic)For more information about joining us for deployed missionary training, please contact us.
Sola Scriptura
The Bible presents salvation as a divine plan unfolding through historical revelation, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. This understanding begins in Genesis with humanity's separation from God through sin, followed by God's promise of redemption. Through the Old Testament, we see this promise developed through covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David, each adding depth to our understanding of God's salvific purpose.The New Testament then reveals how these promises find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Gospels present Jesus as both the promised Messiah and the divine Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. The epistles, particularly Paul's letters, explain how Christ's death and resurrection accomplish salvation through faith.When we examine the biblical text closely, we find salvation described as both a divine gift and a human response. The Greek word σωτηρία (soteria) encompasses deliverance, preservation, and spiritual wholeness. Essential elements include:Understanding Our Need: Scripture reveals humanity's fundamental problem - separation from God through sin (Romans 3:23). This diagnosis helps us recognize our need for divine intervention.God's Initiative: The Bible emphasizes that salvation originates with God's grace rather than human effort. Ephesians 2:8-9 states this explicitly: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."The Role of Faith: Scripture presents faith as the means by which we receive salvation. This faith involves both intellectual assent to truth claims about Jesus and personal trust in Him as Savior. The Gospel of John particularly emphasizes believing (πιστεύω) as the key response to Jesus.The Work of Christ: The Bible explains how Jesus' death serves as an atoning sacrifice for sin (Romans 3:25), while His resurrection ensures new life for believers (Romans 6:4). This forms the historical and theological core of salvation.The Spirit's Role: Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit enables understanding of divine truth (1 Corinthians 2:12-14) and brings about spiritual transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18).
What is a church?
The term "church" in the New Testament derives from the Greek word "ekklesia" (ἐκκλησία), which carried significant pre-Christian connotations that shaped early Christian understanding. In classical Greek usage, ekklesia referred to an assembly of citizens called out from their homes into a public place for civic purposes—essentially the democratic assembly in Greek city-states. When early Christians adopted this term, they infused it with new theological meaning while retaining its essential character as a "called-out assembly." This linguistic choice was deliberate and profound; rather than selecting terms associated with religious buildings (like "hieron" for temple), the apostolic writers emphasized the church as a community of people summoned by divine call into a new covenant relationship. The ekklesia was thus understood not as a physical structure but as a living organism—what Paul would later describe metaphorically as the "body of Christ."This understanding of church as community rather than location manifested in the earliest Christian gatherings, which occurred primarily in domestic settings. The New Testament presents multiple models of ekklesia: the household church (oikos), the city-wide church (comprising multiple house churches in urban centers like Corinth or Ephesus), and the universal church (the entire community of believers across time and space). Each expression maintained the fundamental characteristic of being a people set apart through divine summons. Early church fathers amplified this understanding, with Ignatius of Antioch famously declaring that "wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic [universal] church." This ecclesiology stands in stark contrast to later institutional developments where "church" became increasingly associated with hierarchical structures and sacred buildings rather than the apostolic emphasis on the gathered community of believers.
"the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
Psalm 128:1