The Pace of Presence: Walking with Others in the Way of Jesus

This webinar explores embodied spiritual practice through the simple, grounded act of walking. Hear from veteran hikers and leaders from Hiker Church—including the Appalachian Trail chaplain— Steve and Lauri Hawley and Chi Alpha UConn Missionary, Gil Banton.

Rather than approaching spiritual formation as primarily internal or cognitive, we’ll consider how the body participates in knowing Jesus—through movement, attention, and presence. Hiking creates a context where distraction lessens and awareness can deepen, allowing prayer to take shape in rhythm with our steps and in response to the created world around us.

We’ll hear from those who regularly accompany others in outdoor, spiritually-attentive spaces. Their perspective offers a window into how hiking becomes more than activity, especially for spiritually-curious hikers seeking meaning, connection, or a different way of engaging faith. We’ll also reflect on spiritual companioning in motion—what it means to listen to God alongside another person while walking.

How do silence, conversation, and shared presence become means of grace on the trail? In what ways does the physical journey create space for honesty, discernment, and transformation? Together, we’ll consider how attending to the body, the environment, and one another can become a meaningful way of participating in life with Jesus—on the trail and in everyday life.