Feature by Andrea Laurita "Skiing controlled me. It was the only thing I was really good at."

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Features | Send mail to The Voice Kayaker pursues the rapids to share his faith Paddling rivers and sharing the gospel with kayakers is Josh Dyck's student ministy at Multnomah. The charm of the river entices him as he slips his turquoise kayak into the eddy. The sound of the current accelerating to a roar over the rocks lures him to participate in the enveloping beauty, and he pushes out to the white exhilaration of the rapids. Josh Dyck always has appreciated the outdoors. Growing up in the San Juan Islands, he was within a 30- minute walk from Puget Sound. As a senior in a small-town high school, Dyck wasn't a popular basketball player or an achieved academic. He excelled in weight lifting and woodworking. At 18 years old, Dyck was disinterested in putting down roots: he loved to ski, he loved adventure and he wanted to travel. "I wanted to make money playing," he said. During his final year in high school, Dyck's parents divorced. "Knowing that things weren't happy in the home just crushed me," Dyck said. He finished his senior year with a mistrust of people and a fresh sense of self-sufficiency. He moved to Jackson, Wyo., with three Christian friends where he chased his dreams of adventure and developed a strong affection for the Bible. Dyck decided to invest in a one-year Bible program at the Capernwray Adventure Bible School in New Zealand. On Jan. 2, 2000, three weeks before he was scheduled to leave for New Zealand, a skiing accident disabled Dyck's fast-paced world. Celebrating his brother's birthday on a beautiful morning atop Mt. Baker, Dyck's pursuit of true life began to unfold. "Skiing controlled me," he said. "It was the only thing I was really good at, and I used it to numb my pain." While scouting a 60-foot cliff to jump as a final adrenaline rush before leaving the country, he dropped off of a steep slope. POP! "I felt a deep ache and knew at that instant that I had done something very major to my knee," he said. Eight days after knee reconstruction surgery for his blown ligament, Dyck moved to New Zealand. The knee trouble caused Dyck to apply himself completely to his studies for the first six months at Bible school. "God forced me to slow down," he said. "Christ became my sufficiency, and I fell deeply in love with the Word of God." Dyck was eager to try new sports. "I learned how to kayak," he said, "because I couldn't use my knee." After finishing his year at Bible school, Dyck joined the school staff and spent a second year in New Zealand. He used his fascination and knowledge of the outdoors to teach people about God's character. "I love to take students on the river," he said. "Some want to be pushed and to excel, and others are deathly afraid of water." Each day of dipping paddles and rolling kayaks with students was more than splashing in the sun and treading over fears; it was a thrill for Dyck. "The students work their way through bigger and faster rapids, and by the time they get off the river, they're glowing," he said. "Not because they've paddled a river, but they've conquered an experience." Dyck expanded his dream. He was playing, getting paid for it and doing it all for God's glory. "I was finally able to work in the outdoors but to do it with a purpose--sharing Jesus with people in this beautiful playground God has given us," he said. Upon returning to the United States, Dyck decided to continue his Bible training at Multnomah. "I kept telling myself that God has gifted me in athletics, not in academics," he said. "But I knew that I was supposed to deepen my studies in the Word so I could teach, and teach well." Dyck's knee has fully recovered, and he tries to keep a general level of fitness by running, rock climbing, swimming, mountain biking and skiing regularly. "A lot of people want to pursue the outdoors because it's trendy, but not everybody's gifted at it. I agonize over being able to write a paper; I wish I could do that, but that's not something I'm good at. Playing in the outdoors is my area of gifting." Dyck is intent on honoring God with this gift. "I told the Lord that I'd love to paddle here," he said. During his sophomore year at Multnomah, Dyck and a friend prayed about the possibility of buying their own equipment. "I just said, 'God, we'll buy this if it will glorify you' because I only wanted it if he wanted us to have it." They each bought a kayak, paddle, helmet, dry top, dry suit, personal flotation device and more. Dyck had everything he needed to hit the Northwest rapids. He began to build relationships with the water sport-type guys in the sport shops. "I was meeting the same people again and again," he said, "so I decided to make this hobby my ministry." "Josh loves people, and he loves kayaking; when he can do both at the same time, he is in heaven," said Dr. Garry Friesen, one of Dyck's house-mates. "He returns from each water trip excited about the conversations with unbelievers." "Kayaking is something you don't do solo," Dyck said. "Kayakers die doing what I do; it is a calculated risk. You need others to help you survive on the river." Dyck enjoys paddling the cold rapids in the warm fellowship of the kayaking community. He exemplifies his faith by portraying his intense passion for the sport, his deep care for others and his reverent admiration for God. "He's always pushing the limits and yet being smart about it," said Matt Mormance, a student at Multnomah and Dyck's kayaking friend. "Even though his experience on the water allows Josh to paddle many different rivers and conditions, he can make even the total beginners feel right at home with him. He's got nothing to prove; he just wants to embody the gospel and show God's love in a tangible way to the kayaking community of Portland." After Multnomah, Dyck plans to return to Capernwray in New Zealand where he will have opportunities to share the Word in the context of nature. His dream is to train leaders by making disciples. "By no means do I want people to strive to play hard," he said. "I just want people to fall in love with Christ. I know that life's not about me; it's all about Christ. For the longest time I didn't understand that." Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Features | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2003 The Voice. 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