High-altitude ministry: Couple climbs mountains to raise funds for Young Life

John Kinder said he gets a lot of strange looks at the gym. It's mostly when he's on the stair machine with a backpack loaded with 40 pounds of barbells strapped to his back. But Kinder is training for a higher mission -- and a higher power.

During the first two weeks of June, Kinder, along with his wife Stacy, are climbing Mount Hood in Northern Oregon and Mount Rainier in Southern Washington in an effort to raise money for Young Life, a national Christian ministry for junior high and high school students, which has served Cape Girardeau for more than 25 years.

Southeast Missouri Young Life is involved in the Cape Girardeau school system. Young Life youth leaders become involved in the world of these teens by meeting with them during lunch at school, going to their activities or just hanging out. Every year, Young Life attends a camp, and this year they are headed to Colorado.

If successful in their climb, the Kinders expect to reach the summit of Mount Hood on June 4 and Mount Rainier on June 10.

"We are hopeful that what started out as a personal adventure will become something really positive for kids in our area and for the ministry of Young Life," John Kinder said. "Our hope is that this will give the local ministry a timely boost and help get some kids to Young Life camp."

Stacy Kinder descends Mt Katahdin in Maine, where John and Stacy did their first trek for Young Life. (Photo submitted by John Kinder)

In addition to the stair machine, the Kinders will prepare for their climb through glacial ice training, which involves work with crampons -- footwear for ice climbing -- ropes and ice axes. The only thing they cannot train for is the altitude.

"The summit of Mount Rainier is 14,500 feet, so the air will be pretty thin," Kinder said. "There's really no way to prepare for it."

The Kinders have always had an interest in mountain climbing. Not long after they married, they set a goal of scaling each state's highest peak. They've climbed nine, so far. They also share a passion for Young Life, and have served on the organization's committee for more than eight years. The two interests are now part of one goal.

"About three months ago, I woke up five nights in a row at 4 a.m. and could never get back to sleep," Kinder said. "Each time, God put it on my heart to climb Mount Rainier and make it a fundraiser for Young Life."

Although some have called him crazy, Kinder says he has received a lot of support -- both monetary and spiritual -- for this trip, which furthers his motivation as he trains.

Stacy Kinder hikes above Independence Pass in Colorado (Photo submitted by John Kinder)

"The image I have is my mind is of that lost high school kid facing challenges of life and looking for direction," he said. "If climbing these mountains gives that kid the opportunity to come to know the love of Jesus Christ, then it will all be worthwhile."

The Kinders have created a blog for those who want to follow their progress at youngliferainier.blogspot.com. Those who want to donate can do so in one of two ways. The first is a one-time donation either online at southeastmissouri.younglife.org or through mail to the Young Life offices at 616 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The second is by making a pledge based on feet climbed or a set amount based on the successful completion of the summits. Pledges can be made at jkinder@eyeconsultantsinc.com. Kinder said all of the proceeds will go to Young Life.