Our Story
The Refined Path is dedicated to providing a transformative backpacking experience for young adults in Western Europe. Our ministry combines adventure with spiritual growth, offering a unique journey that fosters reliance on God, camaraderie, and radical heart change.
Adventure. Faith. Transformation.
Founded In 2024
The Refined Path was created in 2024 because of Dr. Sandy Good. Dr. Good has led close to 100 missions trips with Lancaster Bible College and Live 10:27 Ministries. His radical faith in Jesus and leadership on backpacking trips has impacted thousands.
Three of which decided to create The Refined Path to continue Dr. Good's necessary and unprecedented work of helping young men and women to get out of their comfort zone and trust God.
More Than A Backpacking Trip
The ministry's primary avenue of discipleship is the Western Europe Backpacking Trip. The Western Europe Backpacking trip is a 2 week personal growth experience in the summer.
Our approach to short-term missions trips focuses internally on the spiritual development of the individual joining the adventure by fostering unity and vulnerability within the team in stretching environments. Externally, we create opportunities for evangelism and partner with locals to learn from them as we travel.
On the trip, team members will
- Travel around Europe talking to strangers about Jesus.
- Abandon comfort and embrace uncertainty.
- Share their testimony with the team.
- Complete The Refined Path workbook.
- Hike in the Swiss Alps & other historic European mountain ranges.
- Engage in group discussions.
- Try new foods and visit Biblically historic sights.
- Pray and worship our Savior daily.
- Sleep outside in parks and train stations (and any place the Lord provides).
- Watch God provide.
What We Stand On
01
Adventure
Explore Europe, step outside your comfort zone, and experience places you've never been.
02
Community
Build deep friendships and experience life alongside other young adults.
03
Faith
Grow in your relationship with Christ and discover what it means to live with purpose.
The Refined Path Workbook
Team members will complete the workbook during designated times on the trip and discuss each section with the group at group discussions. This workbook is designed to challenge team members to cultivate a heart posture of obsession with Jesus.
01
Transformation
02
Obsession with Jesus
03
Surrender
04
Purity & Obedience
05
Brotherhood & Accountability
06
Humility & Servant Leadership
07
Eternal Mindset
08
Worship
09
Love
The Founders
The Refined Path founders are three men on fire for Jesus. They are passionate about seeing others transformed by God on these trips just like they were.
Founder
Connor & Katie Kime
Hi we are the Kimes! We live in Lancaster City with our son Judah. Connor is a school counselor and boys soccer coach in Conestoga Valley School District. Katie is a 4th grade teacher in SDOL. Connor has done missions work in 15+ countries including 7 backpacking trips in Western Europe. There is no greater joy for us than to see Christ transform others lives.
Founder
Harper Dodd
Hey, I'm Harper! After going on a Western Europe Backpacking trip with Sandy Good I felt called by the Lord to quit my corporate career and pursue entrepreneurship. I now own and operate a gym here in Lancaster County. I am passionate about helping young people become the best version of themselves and discovering their identity in Christ.
Founder
Cole Morgan
Hi my name is Cole Morgan, I am a craftsman at a custom door shop in Lancaster County. I have had a heart for missions after my first backpacking trip in 2022. Since that time I have been on 3 backpacking trips with Dr. Good and other domestic and international short-term missions trips. God has shaped my heart to love serving and building relationships with others.
