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The transformative power of connecting veterans with the outdoors forms the beating heart of this conversation with Emile "Mo" Moured, founder of Cross the Divide Ministries. After 28 years as a Navy and Marine Corps chaplain, Emil channeled his passion for serving veterans and love for wilderness experiences into creating a ministry that has explosively grown from two states to thirteen in just four years.

Cross the Divide represents a beautifully simple yet profound approach: combining God's truths with God's creation to help veterans navigate life's challenging terrain. Unlike organizations that merely offer recreational activities, they provide skilled facilitators who can walk alongside veterans through meaningful conversations that naturally emerge during hunting trips, fishing expeditions, backpacking journeys, and horse camps.

What began with a focused mission has organically expanded through what Mo calls "God-ordained providential opportunities." From unexpected connections with ranch owners offering their properties to partnerships with the Navy SEAL Foundation, doors continue opening in remarkable ways. Perhaps most compelling is the ministry's commitment to involving entire families in their experiences, recognizing that true healing happens when veterans and their loved ones share new, positive narratives together.

The impact speaks volumes through stories like the Marine veteran who lost his leg to an IED in Afghanistan. After participating in a Cross the Divide hunt, he declared: "This is the most alive I've felt in 14 years." Such transformations aren't anomalies but represent the heart of their mission.

Operating without salaried staff and relying entirely on volunteers and donations presents challenges in balancing growth with sustainability. Yet the ministry continues forward, driven by the knowledge that these experiences create community and purpose for those who've served our nation. To learn how you can participate in events or support their mission, visit crossthedivideus.com and become part of this powerful movement connecting veterans with healing through God's creation.

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