The WHY and the HOW
What is the driving force was behind starting the ministry initiative and why have the pro-staffers poured so much into making this a great experience?
It all started with a group of us on a turkey trip in Nebraska. We had the most incredible week together, and it made us realize just how important it is to have a Christ-centered setting in our lives. We pulled a camper out to the most remote areas of Nebraska, never being there before, and hunted turkey on public land. We had a blast, hunted until the last minute we could and we were all successful. We hiked canyons, drove hours on dirt roads, and slept 4 people in a 27’ camper for a week. Those challenges created a new and different bond between the 4 of us that a year later we are still experiencing the closeness we gained on that trip.
On our drive home, we were reminiscing about the unforgettable trip when something clicked. We wanted to recreate that same sense of fulfillment and connection regularly, but this time, with a focus on the man as the leader of the family. We stumbled upon an article that completely changed our perspective. It showed us that the role of the father (or man) in attending church is even more crucial than we had ever imagined.
Here's what we found: If a father doesn't go to church, even if his wife does, only 1 child in 50 will become a regular worshiper. But, if a father goes to church regularly, regardless of what the mother does, between two-thirds and three-quarters of their children will attend church as adults. Even if a father attends church irregularly, between half and two-thirds of their kids will still attend church regularly as adults.
But here's the most incredible part: If a child is the first person in a household to become a Christian, there's a 3.5% probability that everyone else in the household will follow. If the mother is the first to become a Christian, that probability jumps to 17%. But guess what? When the father is the first to become a Christian, there's an astonishing 93% probability that everyone else in the household will follow suit!
These statistics blew us away. They showed us the immense impact fathers have on shaping the faith of their families. They reminded us of the responsibility we have as men to lead a fulfilling Christ-centered life and pass on this legacy to the next generation.
Our community is blessed to have a bunch of great churches. And that is where this group comes in. We want to offer men the opportunities to get to know each other, be there for each other, and be more grounded in our faith.
And we probably aren’t going to get that feeling in a classroom or Bible study. It is a bond that has to be forged in physical and challenging activities that give us the satisfaction of accomplishment.
What is the plan for Outdoorsmen for Christ to foster these bonds between men?
That’s the exciting part: We have the opportunity here bring back that sense of community and personal touch by fostering relationships among active members of Outdoorsmen for Christ. We want to create a community where we come together not only for Sunday services but also for activities that challenge us physically and spiritually. Picture this: softball teams, cookouts, fishing trips, men's retreats, golf outings, river kayaking, rock concerts, shooting activities and so much more. These events will allow us to bond, grunt, sweat, and accomplish incredible things together. It doesn't matter if we catch a fish or win a softball game; what matters is the lasting bond we create.
Why are we doing all of this? Because we want to empower the men in our church community. We want to give you more purpose and a stronger foundation to lead a fulfilling Christ-centered life. And by doing so, we are giving the our kids and grandkids and the next generation the best chance to do the same.
So imagine for a minute…How powerful could it be for you, in your life, in your current circumstances, to have some guys around you that you could count on to be there when you need it most? We want to help you get there so in order to do that we need to know what sounds fun do you! Hiking, camping, shooting, kayaking, hunting, golfing, etc…
Here is the deal guys… we want to help connect men through some events, trips, and hobbies but our bigger vision is to help give you some other guys in your life you can count on when the seas get rough.
Let's embrace this vision with open hearts and unwavering determination. Together, we can make a difference that will last for generations to come.