May 2025
Dear Purpose Partners of Alliance Redwoods,
After 27 years of serving as the Executive Director of Alliance Redwoods Conferences Grounds / Sonoma Zipline Adventures, I recently stepped into retirement. Over 45 years ago, the Lord called me into camping ministry and my life has forever changed. Through the triumphs and challenges, I’ve had the incredible privilege of watching lives transformed: campers meeting Christ, staff discovering their callings, and countless seeds of faith planted in this sacred space we’ve all poured into together.
In these remarkable redwoods, so many have encountered the Creator in powerful, personal ways. As Romans 1:20 reminds us, “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” It’s been an honor to steward this property that testifies daily to God’s glory.
I praise God for the more than one million guests who have uniquely experienced the Creator through His creation at Alliance Redwoods—whether at youth camps nationally and internationally, outdoor education, retreats, or one of our social enterprises. Since 2010, Sonoma Zipline Adventures and Sonoma Treehouse Adventures have welcomed over 300,000 guests—allowing us to sustain our mission even during economic headwinds and a global pandemic. I am in awe of God’s faithfulness and your partnership every step of the way.
Your faithful support—through prayer, encouragement, and generosity—has been the roots of this ministry. Thanks to you, ARCG has impacted both the North Bay and communities around the world. Since 2002, we launched Christian camp initiatives in Hawaii, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Russia, and South Africa—sharing hope in the Lord with thousands of disadvantaged children and youth each year.
Though I’m stepping away from leadership, I’m not stepping away from the mission. I have full confidence in the solid team God has raised up for this next season. Our Board of Trustees members Wayne Spriggs, Mike Dethlefesen, and Hans Henneberque have stepped in as Interim Executive Directors. They look forward to continuing to provide “service as tall as our trees” to all our guests seeking “re-creation” leading to life transformation.
Thank you for walking this journey with me. God has worked greatly through all of you, and your faith has strengthened my own. From the bottom of our hearts, my family and I thank you.
Blessings,
Jim Blake
Former Executive Director of Alliance Redwoods
