The Story.

The Hearts of the Father Outdoor Expeditions was never about buildings or traditional programs. It was about answering a call—a call to reach boys who had been left behind, forgotten, or told they weren’t worth fighting for. Boys longing for a place to belong.

Founded in 2015, Hearts of the Father began with a single camp at Stephen F. Austin State Park. It was a leap of faith—an outdoor experience designed for boys in foster care and young men from broken homes. Without walls to confine them, without the distractions of the world, these boys found something they had never known before: a brotherhood forged in the wild, a space where their past did not define them, and a chance to discover their true worth.

The Movement: Healing Through Fire, Brotherhood, and Grit

The boys who come to The Hearts of the Father carry burdens they should never have had to bear. Some have been abandoned, others abused. Many have never heard a father’s voice speak words of affirmation. Their childhoods have been stolen by instability, trauma, and the struggle to survive.

But the wilderness has a way of stripping away fear and self-doubt. Around a fire, in the challenge of a hunt, in the stillness of a fishing trip, walls begin to fall. The silence of the woods speaks louder than the lies they’ve been told. They begin to believe that they are more than their past. They realize they are not alone.

Each milestone in this journey is a testament to transformation:

2015 – The Hearts of the Father Outdoor Expeditions launches its first camp at Stephen F. Austin State Park.
2016 – The first Fishing Derby teaches boys patience, resilience, and faith.
2017 – The inaugural hog hunt introduces a rite of passage, testing courage and skill.
2018 – Over 1,000 boys mentored, each carrying forward lessons of strength and leadership.
2019 – Thirty boys brave the coldest camp yet, learning that perseverance builds character.
2020 – Amidst a global crisis, The Hearts of the Father adapts, proving that its mission is unstoppable.
2021 – The movement expands beyond Texas, reaching young men in Northwest Arkansas.
2022 – A major donation from Rise Up Kings propels the organization toward its next chapter of impact.
2023 – The More Than a Brand podcast launches, amplifying stories of faith and resilience.
2024 – Strategic partnerships with churches, businesses, and influencers strengthen the mission.
2025 – A decade of transformation is celebrated, with thousands of young lives changed.

The Future: Liberty Hill – A Sanctuary for the Fatherless

The Hearts of the Father is not slowing down. The next chapter is bold, relentless, and clear. At the heart of the vision is Liberty Hill—a permanent stronghold where young men will be trained, healed, and equipped to carry the mission forward.

Liberty Hill is more than a location; it is a legacy. A place where pain is rewritten into purpose, where stories of brokenness become testimonies of victory.

Three Strategic Phases:

Phase 1: The Wilderness Experience – A premier outdoor and camping facility designed to challenge young men, teach survival skills, and cultivate leadership through adventure.
Phase 2: A Tribute to Foster Care and Adoption – A dedicated space honoring the stories of the past, present, and future of foster care and adoption.
Phase 3: A Center for Growth and Education – A hub where families, mentors, and leaders will have access to training, workshops, and resources to equip them for the journey ahead.

The Legacy: Brotherhood Built on Fire and Faith

The experiences at The Hearts of the Father are not just activities—they are defining moments. They challenge boys to push past their limits, to trust in something greater, and to discover the strength within themselves.

Camping Expeditions

For many of the boys, stepping into the wilderness is a first. With every fire built, every shelter raised, and every trail hiked, they learn resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of God’s creation to heal.

Fishing Derbies

Patience, skill, and the thrill of the catch—fishing is more than just a sport. Each cast is a lesson in persistence, each reel-in a reminder that waiting can bring great rewards.

Texas Hog Hunts

A test of discipline, strategy, and teamwork. Guided by experienced outdoorsmen, these young men learn to track, stalk, and take down powerful animals, reinforcing patience, responsibility, and the importance of provision.

The Call: The Mission Still Stands

This is more than a program. It is a movement. The world is filled with young men wandering without direction, searching for guidance, longing for belonging. And this is where they find it.

Somewhere, a boy is walking through the pages of his story, waiting for a chapter of redemption. He is looking for a mentor, a guide, someone who proves that the journey is not over.