Loon Mountain Ministry: A Fresh Expressions Snapshot

“We’re essentially being a church to the unchurched up here in New England—and we do it on skis and snowboards and outside on top of mountaintops.”
—Marcus Corey, Chaplain, Loon Mountain Ministry

In the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, a church without walls is flourishing. Loon Mountain Ministry in Lincoln, NH, is not your typical Sunday morning gathering. Here, worship happens on ski lifts, hiking trails, summits, and even in a coffee shop called Local Church. This Fresh Expression serves seasonal workers, tourists, locals, and outdoor enthusiasts—many of whom wouldn’t step into a traditional church but are hungry for connection, beauty, and belonging.

Rooted in the Fresh Expressions movement, Loon Mountain Ministry is living proof that church can happen anywhere. And more importantly, it shows us that anyone—an individual, a small congregation, or an entire denomination—can start something transformational right where they are.

Founded 30 years ago with a vision inspired by God the ministry’s mission encompasses loving God, serving the community, and enjoying the mountains. The ministry is integral to the local community, offering church services, outreach, and support directly in the ski resort setting, making it accessible and engaging. Additionally, Loon Mountain Ministry helps bridge the gap between recreation and worship, bringing spiritual moments into the natural beauty and communal joy of skiing and snowboarding environments.

From a Snowboard Injury to a Movement of Ministry

Loon Mountain Ministry began with a setback. In middle school, Marcus Corey sustained a serious snowboarding injury. During recovery, he dreamed up a Christian snowboard camp—which his parents helped him host the following winter break. That simple act of creativity and courage planted a seed.

Today, Marcus serves as chaplain at Loon Mountain Ski Resort and leads a thriving network of mountain-based ministries. “Shared common experiences are what create relationships,” he explains, “and relationships are the rails in which the gospel can penetrate into someone’s life.”

What started as a youth-led camp has grown into mountaintop services in summer and winter, small groups, youth programs, and a growing community centered around worship in the wilderness.

Meeting People in Their Thin Spaces

“People come to the mountain to escape. But when they don’t find what they’re looking for, it can lead to real despair. What if, instead of escape artists, they’re pilgrims?”
—Marcus Corey

Mountain towns can be both beautiful and isolating. Many come to Lincoln seeking peace or thrill—but often carry invisible burdens. Marcus and his team began to realize the deep loneliness, anxiety, and even depression present in resort communities. These places, full of wonder, weren’t just playgrounds—they were thin spaces, where God’s presence could be named and encountered.

Loon Mountain Ministry responds by offering more than just a service. It offers presence. From spontaneous lift-line conversations to pastoral care in valleys of loss, the ministry walks with people in both mountaintop and shadowed seasons. “There’s not a lot of fruit on the mountaintop,” Marcus says. “The fruit grows in the valley—next to the river.”

A Fresh Expression that Grows Like a Weed

“We’re not a church plant—we’re a church weed. Nobody planted us, but we’re growing fast where we’re not supposed to.”

Loon Mountain Ministry is not a polished program—it’s an organic movement. By following the Fresh Expressions journey—listening, loving, building community, and exploring discipleship—it has grown into something that looks, feels, and functions like church, even though it started far outside the traditional mold.

This is a church shaped by the outdoors, not bound by bulletins or buildings. It’s incarnational, contextual, and Spirit-led. And perhaps most importantly—it’s replicable.

You don’t have to live in a ski town to do this. You just need to ask, “Where are the people in my community already gathering?” and “How can I be present there with the love of Christ?”

Let This Be Your Permission Slip

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
—1 Peter 4:10

Marcus often says what made all the difference in his journey was permission. Permission to explore. Permission to lead. Permission to play.

That same permission is available to you.

If you’re a pastor, a lay leader, a denominational visionary—you don’t have to start with a big plan. Start with a question. Start with curiosity. Start by giving someone permission to do what they already love for the glory of God and the good of others.

Fresh Expressions isn’t about replacing the church. It’s about expanding it. It’s about saying, “Yes, church can happen in here… and out there.” As Marcus reminds us, “Once you awaken someone’s God-given desire to be the Bride of Christ, you won’t be able to stop them.”

Take the First Step

Is there a mountain—or café, trail, pub, studio, or soccer field—in your community waiting for the Church to show up?

Start listening. Join a Fresh Expressions learning cohort. Invite your team into a conversation about what it means to open space for others. Or simply ask someone in your congregation: “What do you love to do—and how could God use that?”

Because church can happen anywhere. And transformation is closer than you think.

This snapshot was developed through thoughtful research using publicly available sources, including websites, news articles, and community updates. While we did not conduct a direct interview, the story shared here reflects the heart and impact of this Fresh Expression as seen through its digital presence.