In this episode of the Texas Land Guys Podcast, Tom and Tim Dosch continue their conversation with Jesse Sanders, Executive Director of Deer Creek Camp and a former professional basketball player.
Picking up from Part 1, Jesse shares the overwhelming season his family walked through just as he stepped into leadership in late 2023. Within months, they lost their savings due to financial betrayal and received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Jesse speaks candidly about facing death at 35 while raising six young children, writing letters to them, and the night he thought he wouldn’t make it.
He shares a turning point when his brother prayed and sang over him, and how his entire family, seven siblings living and serving together, rallied with practical and emotional support. In the middle of it all, God showed up in unexpected ways, including a stranger covering a $75,000 treatment and small but powerful moments like his daughter creating art for other cancer patients.
Jesse reflects on how brokenness has become a stronger platform for ministry than his athletic career and how the “even if” faith seen in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego anchors him and his wife, Courtney.
You also hear about the growth of Deer Creek Camp, now reaching over 6,000 campers each year, and the vision for The Summit, a new multi-purpose facility opening in May 2026. Through sports, adventure, and programs like Brave Adaptive Camp, the mission continues to impact lives in a real way.
Tune in to hear a story of faith, resilience, and how God meets you right in the middle of it all.
Key Takeaways
- God can use seasons of deep brokenness, like illness or loss, to create a greater impact than success ever could
- Facing a life-threatening diagnosis brings clarity to what you want to pass on to your children
- Choosing an “even if” faith helps you trust God even when outcomes are uncertain
- God often provides financially and emotionally through unexpected people at critical moments
- Using sports and adventure creates natural opportunities to mentor and disciple young people
- Camp ministry thrives on collaboration with others who share the same mission and purpose
- What feels like a setback, such as a career-ending injury, can prepare you for a future calling
- The real goal is not building athletes but using sports as a tool to shape lives and eternal purpose
In This Episode:
- [00:00] Introduction
- [00:41] Jesse steps into leadership at Deer Creek Camp
- [04:14] Spiritual reckoning: Facing a stage 4 cancer diagnosis at 35
- [09:05] Family and community rally around during a crisis
- [13:01] Navigating the high cost of cancer treatment
- [15:41] A stranger covers a $75,000 treatment
- [20:48] How suffering reshapes perspective and faith
- [25:21] Surgery, treatment, and the road to remission
- [27:25] Vision and mission behind Deer Creek Camp
- [29:48] Adventure programs and the Brave Adaptive Camp
- [31:24] Growth of the camp and increasing reach
- [32:32] Expanding access through the Explore City program
- [34:23] Responding to last summer’s Texas camp tragedy
- [37:23] The vision behind The Summit facility
- [45:21] Partnership with 100X Harvest
- [48:41] How to get involved with Deer Creek Camp
- [54:38] Final reflections on faith, purpose, and impact
Resources and Links
Podcast
Jesse Sanders
Tom Dosch
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-dosch-37263b3b/
- https://dmre.com/
- https://ascentinv.com/
- https://100xharvest.org/
Tim Dosch
