With cars packed with gear, food and eager students, 21 members of Point Loma Nazarene University’s climbing club, Jesus Rocks, caravaned nearly 350 miles to Red Rocks, Nev.
During fall break, from Oct. 23-26, the club scaled boulders and built community at one of the most popular climbing destinations on the western end of the United States.
Cruz Barron, a third-year psychology major and president of Jesus Rocks, said that Red Rocks is a classic spot to climb within the larger rock climbing community and that it was important for the leaders to organize the trip as the club had never hosted an event outside of California.
“Our main intention was to build deeper friendships and relationships with the random group of people who went on the trip,” Barron said.
Lea Davies-Kang, a third-year social work major and club co-coordinator, said that the event included both beginner and experienced student climbers as the leaders aimed to set up climbing routes that could cater to all skill levels.
There was one route in particular that she said was more advanced, but even beginners attempted it — and many succeeded.
“Just seeing the joy and confidence built from that is so encouraging,” Davies-Kang said. “That’s all I feel like I needed to feel fulfilled from the trip.”
Monet Simmons, a third-year finance major, attended the event and has been a member of the club since last year. She said that, throughout the trip, everyone was encouraging one another, which helped create a positive environment.
Simmons described one specific climb that was taller than she was used to and pushed her beyond her comfort zone.
“I just really felt the Lord’s presence when I was at the top,” Simmons said. “I turned around and … it was just this beautiful valley.”
While she was heading down from the climb, she said she had to trust Davies-Kang to help her down.
“I fully trusted Lea that she had me, and I fully leaned back, and it meant that I got to see this beautiful expanse … I think you have to build trust in people,” she said.
With safety being a top priority for club leaders, much of the trip’s preparation centered on anticipating the risks that come with outdoor sports activities. This was something that Zach Smith, a third-year education major and club leader, emphasized.
“We had a meeting before we left for the trip, talking about what to look out for — [with] all the leaders,” Smith said. “So we were the ones belaying, making sure they stayed safe, checking all the knots, [and] checking all their equipment just so there’s no incidents.”
Davies-Kang said that club leaders were intentional about making each person on the trip feel seen.
“We as leaders talked about going out of our way to make everyone feel included and bring people together if they weren’t talking,” she said.
In pursuit of a close community during the trip, club leaders asked one member each night to share their testimony or faith story. Simmons was one of those members.
“It was just really cool to exchange stories around the campfire and get to know people in a more intentional way,” she said.
This space for vulnerability and fellowship encouraged people to interact with one another more genuinely, Barron said.
“Through having a student give a testimony each night, we were all super engaged and talking about subjects of faith and life, and everyone was chiming into the conversation,” he said.
Davies-Kang added to this, “There was no cliquiness … Everyone was friends.”
Simmons said that going on a trip out of state with a school club meant a lot to her, as she had the opportunity to delve deeper into the community.
“There’s just a different level of intentionality when you have to go to a place to kind of really be alone with friends and alone with God,” she said. “And having a school that supports going into the wilderness in that way is so cool because I don’t know of many colleges that do trips like this.”
Barron felt that God was present through the conversations around the campfire.
“A lot of our prayer was that the students attending or the leaders would find time to just be in awe of God’s creation,” he said. “I think that God was definitely moving through the conversations that we had.”
One of the most notable moments, attendees said, was a spontaneous toothbrush party that happened during two of the nights.
“Everyone brushed [their] teeth together in a little dance circle, and Cruz sort of deejayed somehow with his phone,” Davies-Kang said. “It was really fun.”
Smith said moments like the toothbrush party helped people feel comfortable enough to let loose and be goofy.
“It fosters [an] environment for new friendships and getting to know each other on a deeper level,” he said.
With many logistics outside of the team’s control, Barron felt that they ultimately had to trust God for guidance.
“We planned as best as we could, but there’s so many things that are out of our control, like safety … and so it was just a testament to surrendering the overall trip success to God,” he said. “This trip was definitely just a surrender to the Lord’s will.”
Barron encouraged anyone interested to join the club’s Sunday night sessions at 6 p.m. at Vertical Hold climbing gym. For more information, visit their Instagram page, @jesusrocksplnu.
“We are a community that is genuinely interested in getting to know you, whoever that is wanting to come, regardless of who you are or what background you come from,” he said. “If you’re looking for a fun, laid back but meaningful and authentic space for community, we’re a good place for that.”
Davies-Kang gave similar encouragement.
“Feel free to reach out to any leader and be honest and be yourself,” Davies-Kang said. “The leaders care so deeply about involving people and making everyone feel seen that that’s all you have to do.”
