Chae Kinsey knows first-hand what it means to be carried by others. As the spouse of a retired Navy SEAL, she has witnessed the deep bonds that form between service members, and she has spent years around Special Operation Forces (known as operators) with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). She’s also watched helplessly as those around her grappled with trauma and life-altering injuries, remaining committed to their craft, even as their personal lives quietly fell apart. But when her own husband, Tim, began showing signs of “operator syndrome” after retirement, Chae found herself searching for a way to restore stability and hope to their family—and the families of those around them.
Although not every attempt was successful, bit by bit they began making progress. Chae and Tim’s personal experience of rebuilding and redefining their lives after retirement ultimately inspired them to establish Mountaintop Mission Ministries (MTM).
“MTM is a group of peers who refuse to look away from hardship. We want to see people healed, steady, and able to stand firm. This is a community shaped by love for people and by our own difficult experiences. Many of us were carried by others at one point. Now we give back”, says Chae.
Doing the Most Good
Founded in 2021, MTM Ministries is a faith-based, peer-led organization with a focus on PTS intervention and trauma recovery. Led by a dedicated team with years of combined military service and ministry work, they understand the pressure, trauma, and moral injuries of their community and the toll taken on the body and mind.
“Our experience while on active duty, in church and now in retirement, allows us to really target our programming around what was most helpful to ourselves and others. We took all that data and created an organization that prioritizes people and is focused on ‘doing the most good’ in this vulnerable space,” says Chae.
MTM provides practical support for those who’ve served on the front lines (and their families) by strengthening physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual endurance through structured programming. Every program is led by peers who understand the demands of service and the realities of recovery. Whether it’s first responders, veterans, social workers, faith leaders, or anyone who has faced trauma, MTM offer programs that encourage steady growth and lasting stability.
Finding Strength in Nature
But it’s not just peer-to-peer support that helps MTM participants thrive. By integrating outdoor experiences, community connection, and restorative therapies, MTM provides complementary care for individuals working to re-integrate and discover their new normal.
One way they do this is through the True North Adventures program. Using nature as a guide, participants build resilience through wilderness education, shared challenges, and open communication. Each experience follows the Wayfinder Compass, a framework designed to strengthen character, foster connection, and expand each person’s capacity to navigate life’s challenges.
And the adventures are as varied as the participants themselves. Outdoor experiences may include a scenic hike, a rugged backcountry trek, or a day on the lake—offering meaningful opportunities for all ability levels.
Recently participants gathered at Trinity Grace Farm (TGF) for “Campfire and Connections,” an event that’s part of MTM’s Peer to Peer Support Program. Attendees were able to explore the grounds, enjoy a meal, fellowship with other families, and socialize around the fire.
“TGF allows us to invite people from varying abilities and offer our programs in an outdoor setting. We can see future events at TGF, like longer hikes or other outdoor gatherings with games and competitions…,” say Chae.
A Natural Partnership
Spending time outdoors isn’t just refreshing—it can be profoundly healing. Research shows that nature can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms by up to 50%. For veterans, it can ease the weight of PTSD, and for first responders, it can help prevent burnout while strengthening emotional resilience. MTM understands the transformative power of these intentional outdoor experiences.
That’s why MTM’s work fits so naturally with TGF’s mission: to “open up the outdoors to all people of all abilities.” Both organizations recognize an important truth—disabilities aren’t always visible. Together, MTM and TGF are creating opportunities for everyone to step outside, reconnect with the world around them, and find healing in natural surroundings.
Chae knows just how important their partnership is.
“Being outdoors reduces stress within 15 minutes, which gives our participants a more fruitful experience. Trinity Grace Farms allows us to expand our programs in ways that bring long-term stability to the people we serve. Having a consistent place to gather strengthens our work and gives our members a steady point of contact in their recovery. We are here to walk with people who carry heavy burdens and to remind them that they do not carry them alone.”
If you, or someone you know is suffering from PTS or trauma visit www.mtministries.org or contact 423.268.6752. If you are in immediate crisis, call 988 or text HOME to 741741.
MTM MINISTRIES is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization that promotes resiliency efforts for service-oriented professionals and their families at no cost to them.
