About Us

David and his son Preston attended Christ  in the Rockies, in Colorado in July 2017.  Preston shared that it was a "wonderful trip this summer that was truly something my father and I will never forget. We learned a lot together and he and I will hold that trip and those memories very close in our hearts."

Wade and his son Bennett participated in Christ in the Rockies, in Colorado in June 2017.  Bennett was nominated for this trip by his church small group leader because of his pursuit of relationship with God, leadership qualities, service to community, love of the outdoors and strong values.

Blaise attended Christ in the Rockies in Colorado in June 2017, with his father Scott.  Blaise and Scott said their experience was life changing, fulfilling their expectations for a Father-Son adventure.

My son Tyler heard Tim speak about Christ in the Smokies at Northpoint Church, brought the brochure home, and said to his mom, ”I want to do this with Dad”. His mom and I divorced when he was very young and I was not as involved with him as he needed me to be early in his life. In the past several years, we have spent more time together and I have become more involved, but there was always a desire on both our parts to build a deeper relationship. So now at 18, he invited me to attend  this retreat and I am so glad he did and so very grateful that Taylor’s foundation provided a way for us to go. This was a real bonding time for Tyler and me. We learned more about each other in one short week than we have in years. All the vital elements were there: discovery, learning, adventure, challenge and fellowship with other fathers and sons. We learned solid principles that serve to equip and grow us in the journey of manhood, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful Smoky Mountains.  I would tell every father and son to come to Christ in the Smokies and experience a new level of closeness in your relationship.

Christ In The Smokies provided my son and me an opportunity to be together, experience great adventures together and share words of love and life and blessing that we would not say in normal day life and living. Thank you Stricklands and Team for creating the perfect environment for fathers and sons to connect at the deepest of levels. It will NEVER be forgotten.

Prior to attending, besides my desire for Grayson to reconnect w Christ and a strong desire to present him with his Blessing at 25, we both went into this trip with y’alls motto of leaving Nothing unsaid… and for 4 1/2 days and nights we did just that.  This resonated with Grayson and I… words can truly never adequately describe the feeling or moments in time last week, especially during the blessing, hiking/river trip talks, and passage to manhood ceremony, it’s a special GIFT that Grayson and I are tremendously grateful for and truly wish every dad and son could experience.

After attending Christ in the Smokies, Andrew shared "It was a great unexpected bonding with my father on what it means to be a man."

Daniel noted the challenges that men face.  "Men do not want to be vulnerable. Not good at sharing their feelings. They don’t know how to do it, showing weakness and failure. Dad’s struggle to do that with their sons." For he and Andrew it was "an absolutely fantastic week with my son.  It gave Andrew and I time to think deeper about some issues."

During their time together at Christ in the Smokies, Mike said "To share our feelings with one another and to know – that life is hard – entering manhood we are walking side by side now as we serve our Father and to not be afraid to ask any questions….there’s something about a community of men, and the two of us are a community of men."

Chris called his time at Christ in the Smokies "An incredible meaningful time to focus on being a better father and husband. It has changed me to live a meaningful life with others and Christ."  As significantly Brock shared that it was "A life changing experience that taught me how to be a leader and growing my relationship with my father and God. It gives me incentive to not fall back in to sin."

As a young man Aiden embraced the time at Christ in the Smokies, declaring, "The blessing from my dad really impacted me. I wanted to know 'what does he think of me'. I wanted to hear my dad say that 'you’ve got what it takes'.  Ari enjoyed that "Everything was intentional, relational and Christ centered with the backdrop of outdoor adventure." 

Trip brought his younger son to Christ in the Smokies.  He said that  he experienced a "transition to be more intentional about everything I do. As a husband, as a father and as a leader in the environments where I have an opportunity to be a leader".  During the week Cameron had his "eyes  open to a lot of what my purpose should be and really what I should be doing."

During their week together at CITS, Todd commented that it can be "hard as men to find a place where you feel safe.  Where you don't have to strive or perform or hide.  To be able to experience that with men is a win, but to be able to experience it with your son is life changing and unforgettable.  Carter candidly shared that he originally wasn't all in for a father son retreat, but day 2 he had a "wow" moment, "it changed" and he realized that he "needed it".

One of the big take aways, from the week at CITS, for Bill was "in the spirit of Taylor, and Toni, and Tim nothing is left unsaid.  If I were to leave this earth today and slip off that mountain, you know where you and I are right?"  He asked his son, Will.  Will affirmed that was true and that "having the opportunity to leave nothing unsaid, especially with your dad" was key because "guys aren't going to be very emotional and very open with their dad" but this time away provided that circumstance.

About his experience at CITS, son, Cole, said "expect the unexpected.  I thought it was going to be mushy.  We're going to be real close to our dads.  Then we get here and it's a just a bunch of people being straight up from the jump.  They don't start off walking you into it.  They make you sprint, and it's just something you can't prepare for.  I guess it's in a way like manhood.  You're not ready for it, it just happens, and you have to learn how to adjust.  You can't do it alone.  That's why it felt real nice being able to come here and speak with other people and listen to them."  

Last year when John brought his oldest son to CITS, he was convicted to bringing his youngest this year, and he did.  Losing his father at age 10 has spurred John on to be the best father he can be to his sons.  Esteban, felt out of his comfort zone attending camp, but recognized he has a father who is eager to spend time with him, and leaves CITS happy they have shared this experience.  

Preston and some of the other sons at CITS this summer, admitted that when their fathers had first brought up the idea of attending, they were less than committed.  "A father-son retreat with a few random strangers", but they ultimately concluded it was a "pretty beautiful thing.  We've got some good friends and everyone clicked well"  Preston advised "come in with an open heart and attitude", while David acknowledged that the focus on Jesus washed all the anxiety away

Vulnerability is a common thing heard over and over by fathers and sons who attend CITS.  Matt and Grayson have always had a strong bond, but mentioned that the opportunity to have this one on one time was overdue and impactful.  They refined and opened lines of communication, letting their guard down without the distraction of everyday life.  Grayson said he and his dad had some good times set aside to talk, and "I'm very grateful for that".

Isidro and Chris attended CITS as mentor/friends.  Isidro had already been in Chris' life when he lost his dad at 14, and so this was a special time for them in their relationship.  Isidro said "I was making sure that he had the same experience the other young men had and wasn't robbed of having a true breakout as a man and that experience that he's entitled to.  Chris appreciated the intentionality of time to be open with no barriers and share in hard conversations that continue growing who he is becoming as a man.