Theology of Wilderness Primer
A short introduction to the theology that anchors everything we do. Why God's people keep ending up in the wilderness, and what that means for our formation today.
Get the primerFree resources for pastors, leaders, and anyone considering wilderness ministry. Some of this is here so you can verify we know what we're talking about. Some of it is here because the work it points to is worth doing.
Long-form writing from Wilderness Formation, from our founder, and from the lineage we belong to.
A short introduction to the theology that anchors everything we do. Why God's people keep ending up in the wilderness, and what that means for our formation today.
Get the primerWriting from John Wayne Seitzler for pastors and church leaders. Why your church needs wilderness ministry, what it looks like, and how to start. Launching in 2026.
Get notified when liveA growing library of teaching on wilderness, formation, and creation theology. If you're a pastor considering whether we know what we're doing, this is where to look first.
Why God's people keep ascending. The framework of ascent, repositioning, holy awareness, and descent that anchors every wilderness experience.
Watch on YouTube →Stewardship as a theology of return. A teaching on what we're meant to do with the creation we've been given.
Watch on YouTube →A teaching on creation, lament, and the call to a different way of inhabiting the world.
Watch on YouTube →Why we gather to worship outdoors at Snoqualmie Pass, and what we've learned from doing it.
Watch on YouTube →How creation participates in our healing, and why the wilderness keeps appearing in stories of restoration in Scripture.
Watch on YouTube →On lying down in green pastures, beside still waters, and what it means for souls in a world that won't stop.
Watch on YouTube →All of our sermons live on the Bethany Community Church YouTube channel, where John Wayne pastors wilderness ministry. Subscribe to the channel →
If you want to see what wilderness ministry actually looks like when a church takes it seriously, our case studies are the best place to start.
Occasional notes from John Wayne. New case studies, upcoming Ancient Paths Certification Week cohorts, new teaching, and writing for churches considering wilderness ministry. No spam, no sales sequences, no AI-generated drip.