As an avid mountain climber, Bernhard Mizelli had learned to identify his purpose through his sport and through drinking, women, and the pleasures of this world. On climbs he needed to put absolute faith in himself and this carried over into all aspects of his life.

However, after losing some of his friends in accidents, he became very aware of the frailty of life and the danger of his sport. As an advanced climber, he had personally confronted death in many situations. The death of his friends haunted him with the question of what happens after one dies.

On one climb Bernhard found himself in a very deadly situation. Utterly exhausted, he was unable to go any further up or down. As he hung suspended from the rock face he cried an ultimatum, "God if you are real, then I want to get to know you." After three and a half utterly exhausting days Bernhard managed to complete the climb, and never forgot his cry to God. Through discipleship at the MB church in Gmunden, Austria, he came to put his complete faith in God. Today Bernhard identifies himself in Christ, not in his sport or in the pleasures of this world. He has his purpose in Jesus.

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3