Every Square Inch: Why We Took Discipleship Outdoors

When many churches think about children's ministry, they picture classrooms, tables, and lesson materials. Yet throughout Scripture, God's people frequently encountered God outdoors—in gardens, deserts, mountains, fields, and along the shores of lakes.

What if God's creation isn't simply a backdrop for discipleship, but one of the places where discipleship can flourish?

That question helped inspire GEMS Outdoors, a new resource from GEMS Girls' Clubs that combines biblical discipleship with experiential learning in God's creation.

While GEMS remains rooted in mentoring relationships and biblical truth, the ministry continues to evolve as churches seek new ways to disciple girls in a changing culture. The idea for GEMS Outdoors emerged through conversations with leaders across North America who were looking for ways to engage girls beyond traditional classroom-style learning. Surveys and focus groups revealed a desire for more opportunities to explore, create, move, wonder, serve, and learn through hands-on experiences while remaining firmly grounded in Scripture.

Some of the inspiration came from local churches already embracing outdoor ministry.

At LaGrave Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the congregation gathered outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many churches, they adapted out of necessity. Yet the experience demonstrated how meaningful worship, fellowship, and spiritual formation can happen beyond the walls of a building.

One of the leaders paying close attention was longtime GEMS leader Tina Rooks. When COVID restrictions disrupted normal programming, she took her GEMS club outside as well.

"We did night hiking, star gazing, sledding, Christmas parties, and more—all outdoors at night," she recalls. "The girls and parents loved it."

What began as a practical adjustment quickly became something more.

"Outdoors is God's playground for me to notice, explore, play, and be with my God," Tina says. "By reaching out to our church family and family and friends, it was amazing what we could find to do outdoors and learn. I love all the opportunities that God gives us to enjoy His creation and to share with our girls how to love the outdoors."

Her experience reflects what many ministry leaders have discovered: Children often engage deeply when learning becomes active and experiential. Outdoor settings naturally invite curiosity, observation, conversation, creativity, and wonder.

Another source of inspiration came from The Refuge (formerly Trinity CRC) in Grandville, Michigan, whose Creation Station program holds Sunday school outdoors year-round. Their ministry demonstrates that children can learn Scripture, ask questions, build relationships, and encounter God's truth while immersed in God's creation.

Perhaps that's not surprising. Jesus himself frequently used creation as a classroom. He pointed his followers to birds, seeds, vineyards, storms, and fields to teach spiritual truths. The psalmist reminds us that "the heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1).

Reformed Christians have long affirmed that every square inch of creation belongs to Christ. Outdoor discipleship invites girls to experience that truth firsthand.

GEMS Outdoors was created to help churches intentionally connect biblical truths to experiences girls can see, touch, explore, and remember.

The possibilities are remarkably accessible. Churches might plant gardens and learn about stewardship and growth. They can organize neighborhood cleanup projects while discussing care for God's creation. Girls can journal, sketch, or create art outdoors as they reflect on God's handiwork. Congregations can build prayer walks, incorporate music and drama into outdoor settings, or explore local parks and trails together.

The goal isn't wilderness expertise. It's helping girls discover God's truth through meaningful experiences.

Importantly, GEMS Outdoors is designed to be flexible. Some churches may choose to build an entire season of ministry around outdoor discipleship. Others may use it alongside GEMS' Core Curriculum, which continues to be adapted to meet the needs and realities of today's girls. Churches can choose the approach that best fits their ministry context.

For Tina, one of the most exciting possibilities is that GEMS Outdoors gives leaders confidence to try something new.

"It is like giving GEMS the opportunity and permission to know it is okay to go outdoors with the girls," she says.

In many ways, that's exactly what GEMS Outdoors is designed to do: give churches practical tools, biblical grounding, and confidence to disciple girls beyond the walls of the church building. Whether through a neighborhood cleanup, a prayer walk, a garden project, a camping trip, or simply a lesson under the open sky, girls can discover that all creation belongs to Christ—and that every square inch of it can become a place of discipleship.

After all, creation has always pointed to its Creator. Sometimes the best place to learn about God's world is right in the middle of it.

GEMS Outdoors launches this summer, equipping churches with practical tools to help girls experience God's truth through exploration, service, creativity, and wonder in God's creation.