As some of you know, I have spent the last couple of summers in Juneau, Alaska, serving at Echo Ranch Bible Camp. I am writing to share an exciting opportunity that I believe God has placed before me this year, and I would like to invite you to be part of it.

First, what is Echo Ranch Bible Camp?

Echo Ranch is an off-grid evangelical summer camp dedicated to "echoing God's Glory" to hundreds of primarily Southeast Alaskan youth ages 7-18. The camp shares the Gospel through Christ-centered programming while giving campers the opportunity to experience God’s creation through outdoor activities and community. Each week, campers of a certain age group spend time in the Alaskan wilderness while learning about the Gospel under the leadership of guest chapel speakers, Echo Ranch staff, and volunteer counselors.

A unique aspect of this ministry is that many of the campers come from unchurched backgrounds, meaning this is often the only place they hear the Good News throughout the year. Alaska has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the country, and many communities face challenges such as alcohol and drug abuse, along with seasonal depression. Echo Ranch provides a meaningful opportunity to offer encouragement, hope, and spiritual guidance to these young people. 

In addition to its summer programs, Echo Ranch hosts retreats during the spring and fall. These retreats allow families, churches, and other groups to unplug and rest while growing in community with one another in the beauty of Alaska. You might enjoy watching this short video or visiting the camp's website to learn more.

A quick life update

For those of you who may not know, I graduated from LeTourneau University last May with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Like many graduates, I found myself asking the big question: what is next? When considering the summer following my senior year, I could not stop thinking about the incredible eight weeks I had spent serving at Echo Ranch the previous summer. I strongly felt the Lord leading me back, so I stepped out in faith and returned to Alaska for a full summer of volunteering.

My time at camp was nothing short of amazing! I got to see God work in many distinct ways, both in my life and in the lives of the campers, counselors, and staff around me. One of my most difficult yet favorite weeks was when I was a counselor for a cabin of high schoolers. Nearly everything seemed to go wrong – conflict among campers, lack of interest in chapels, low cabin morale after losing several challenges and games, exhaustion for both my co-counselor and me, and even a trip to the emergency room for a camper who needed stitches. Despite these challenges, I could clearly feel God carrying me steadily through each hardship. While circumstances were difficult, God remained faithful and provided the strength, wisdom, and endurance I needed each day. I also had some meaningful conversations and experiences with my campers towards the end of that week. The Lord’s provision and goodness became a defining theme throughout the entire summer!

During my time there, I could also feel that God might be leading me to return in 2026. Growing up as a missionary kid in Kenya, missions have always been close to my heart. Over the past couple of years, I have felt God stirring a potential call toward full-time missions in the future. With that in mind, the opportunity arose for me to spend the entire 2026 season at Echo Ranch as a step in exploring the possibility of joining the camp’s full-time staff. This would allow me to serve from early May through to the end of September and gain a clearer understanding of whether this long-term role would be a good fit.

I left camp with this idea in mind and returned to my college town of Longview, Texas. Over the past several months, I have been working a home repair and remodeling job with a friend from my church, while preparing and praying about returning to Alaska. While I am still seeking clarity about long-term direction, I strongly believe God has opened the door for me to serve at Echo Ranch for the full season this year.

This year’s opportunity

For the past two summers, I have been serving on the maintenance team at Echo Ranch. This year, I have been invited back in a leadership role. The maintenance summer staff are known as the “Young Guns,” and I will serve as their lead, referred to as the “Top Gun.” In this role, I will provide leadership to the Young Guns, serve as a leader in the men’s dorm, and take on additional responsibilities around camp. In addition, I will also likely serve as a counselor for a few weeks during the children’s summer camp. During the spring and fall retreat seasons, I will also continue assisting the maintenance team.

Would you like to partner with me?

I am incredibly excited about this opportunity and have been looking forward to it for months! As May approaches, I would deeply appreciate your prayers that God would prepare my heart for this season of ministry. I would also appreciate prayer for wisdom and clarity as I seek God’s direction for what comes after this season.

Additionally, I am seeking financial support. I will be volunteering at Echo Ranch for approximately six months without pay, so any financial partnership would be greatly appreciated. Below is a breakdown of my expected expenses:

Camp Fee: $500

Airfare (including baggage): $900

Work/Rain Gear: $500

Monthly Living Expenses (6 months total): $3,100

Total Support Needed: $5,000

The Lord has already provided $3,000 (praise God!), leaving $2,000 remaining to be raised.

Ways to give:

• You can give directly to me using cash, check, Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle (linked to my phone number)
• GiveSendGo – A Christian fundraising platform, where you can donate directly to support this mission (please note that they take 3% of what is given to cover transfer fees)

Thank you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about this opportunity and for considering partnering with me through prayer and financial support. Your encouragement and support mean more than I can express!

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to contact me:

Email: asorley21@gmail.com

Phone: 763-999-1447

In Christ,

Aaron Sorley