July 27, 2004...

It remains the most difficult day in the nearly 40-year history of Teen Mission's Mission Journeys outreach. On that day, 23-year-old Josh Teegarden was killed on one of our short-term mission trips in Eastern KY.
Josh and his father, Bill, were leading a team of 19 youth and adults from Indiana and Virginia. Josh’s mother, Pam, was also part of the mission team.
The team was working at Christ's Outreach for the Blind, helping with construction projects on the camp's 900-acre campus near Mt Vernon, KY.
Josh and Bill were removing some trees from the soon-to-be equestrian trail at the camp when one of the trees fell in an unexpected direction, hitting Josh.
"Josh no doubt died in his father's arms," Mike Gates, who along with his wife, Lori, run Christ's Outreach for the Blind, told the Mount Vernon Signal (the local newspaper).
Josh was planning on going back to Johnson Bible College that fall to finish his undergraduate work, begin work on a master's degree and then pursue a career in missions.
By the grace of God, Bill preached the funeral and did an incredible job “celebrating” Josh’s life. Bill told the immediate family, "I've haven't preached faith for 25 years to lose faith now."
The Teegarden family are a tremendous testimony to the world around them and we at Mission Journeys are very proud to be associated with them.

Josh's story & ministry didn't end there.

The Story Continues...

At the time of his death, Josh was a student at Johnson Bible College (Knoxville, TN), preparing to go into full-time Christian service. It was expected that Josh would walk across the stage to receive his diploma in the spring of 2005 and then be ordained by his father Bill into the Christian ministry.
Josh’s father Bill Teegarden would say, “Josh will not walk across the stage at JBC and receive his degree. On July 27, 2004, he stepped into eternity and received a much higher degree – The Crown of Life.”

The ministry of Josh Teegarden, however, continues on.

To honor Josh and the Teegarden family, Mission Journeys began a summer internship program in 2005 – the year following his death.
The purpose of the Josh Teegarden Internship Program remains as it was to begin with -- to further cultivate a “heart” and “passion” for missions and ministry within Christian young adults (post-high school).
Since 2005, we’ve had approximately 25 young people go through the program with several of them now serving with churches and on mission fields around the world.

In addition, the Teegarden family established a ministry to honor Josh called "J.T. Ministries" and a scholarship at Johnson Bible College - now Johnson Christian University - in Josh’s memory.
The scholarship at Johnson Christian University helps assist students studying for a career in intercultural service and entering the mission field. Every year since the accident, multiple 5K races have been held, raising thousands of dollars for Josh's scholarship fund at Johnson.

Help Keep Josh's Ministry Going!

From now until Josh's Birthday on September 13th, we're asking folks to give a gift in memory of Josh Teegarden. In mid-September, we will send a gift from Mission Journeys to J.T. Ministries in Josh's honor and for his mission scholarship. By giving, you are not only honoring Josh's memory but helping carry out the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His people.

THANKS again for your help, prayers, and encouragement.

In Him,
Greg Herriford / Development Director