How to put this... I turn 30 years old in November 2023. It's been a long time coming, I know. 30 years, in fact.

With this fairly significant milestone fast approaching, I was inspired last year by Adrian, an Open Doors supporter who did 60 fundraising activities to celebrate turning 60. I wanted to do something around the number 30 - and decided to put my fitness and perseverance to the test and climb 30 mountains before my 30th birthday!

But this is not something I want to do alone. I invite anyone who wants to to climb along with me! I am coming up with a list of summits in the UK (and maybe even Ireland...?) that I would like to conquer over the next year - suggestions gratefully received. If you've climbed them before, or live in the area, or just want to come along for the ride, then I would love your company!

But why Open Doors? The organisation - and, more importantly, the persecuted Christians they serve - has been on my heart and absolutely central to my life for nearly 5 years. As I've read, written, and shared the stories of Christians around the world who are daring to follow Jesus no matter the cost, I've been stretched and challenged and inspired. 

I want to help Christians like Pastor Andrew in Nigeria, who encouraged his church to return and rebuild after their village was attacked and burnt to the ground; like Bae* from North Korea, who escaped the country, but returned so she could share her supplies of food and a Bible with her secret house church; like Mehr* from India, who was attacked and hospitalised, but was then refused treatment by the hospital and justice by the police because of her faith; for Bishop Shimun-Daniel from Iraq, who had many opportunities to leave during the war, but stayed to provide help and hope to his church and community.

The persecuted church around the world is keeping hope alive in some of the most hopeless situations, and I want to support them in any way I can. Prayer is vital - but I want to use my freedom of faith to do something practical, too. 

Your donation could provide support such as food aid, trauma care, persecution survival training and smuggled Bibles to Christians who are shining a light in the darkness. The whole of your donation will go to supporting persecuted Christians - I am funding all of my own expenses for this adventure. Find out more about Open Doors and the persecuted church at www.opendoorsuk.org. 

I will keep you updated on each summit through a blog (treadtheheights.wordpress.com), and I will try to let interested parties know dates of climbs as far in advance as I can. Your donations (and prayers) are greatly appreciated! 

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:19)

*Names changed for security reasons