In October of 1988, on the way to a Great Hills Baptist Church Men's Retreat, Lee Tunnell invited the men riding with him to go "goat" hunting. In approximately December of 1988, six men, two children, and Lee went on a Mouflon and Corsican sheep hunt at the Appletree Ranch near Leaky, Texas, where Lee was a land owner. Although no game was harvested, the camaraderie and fellowship bonded those who were present. The group of men decided to form a club and developed a name during the trip home - The Burp & Poot (B & P) Club.
During it's second hunt at Appletree, the Club developed Bylaws (examples include: to bear other members burdens, pray for other members needs, acquire marksmanship skills, never shoot at UFO's {Unidentified Furry/Feathered Objects}, and never hunt or fish on special occasions), a Theme Song, and an initiation. The Club was founded as an avenue for men to "let their hair down" and have fun in Christian brotherhood.
On 2/28/91, the Club elected officers for the first time, changed its name to The Fellowship of Christian Sportsmen (FCS), developed a Statement of Faith, and created a Club Statement of Purpose. The purpose of FCS is to share the joy and experience of hunting and fishing with other Christian Sportsmen, encourage Christian fellowship, challenge men and women to establish and maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, encourage serving the Lord Jesus, and encourage fellowship in a local church.
On 5/30/91 the Club membership approved and implemented a mandatory due requirement for memberships. Dues presently cover the primary membership benefit purchases, Website hosting, Website domain name, photocopying (newsletters, flyers, applications, brochures, etc.), postage (to mail newsletters and gear), hunting and fishing DVD purchases for Club meetings, our Annual NRA donation, and one refill of the FCS propane tank.
On 4/5/01 the active Club members approved a mandatory non-members fee for all Dove Retreats. This was initially approved on 4/10/97 but was not implemented until 9/21/01. This requirement was deleted by the active Club members on 6/10/07.
On 9/19/03 the Club officers approved (by Executive Decision) and implemented a membership benefit of the 2003 "What You're Hunting For" cap. The active Club members approved the continuation of Club apparel as a membership benefit on 12/23/03.
On 9/29/03 the active Club members approved allowing a members wife and adult female relatives to join the Club (but not women as a whole).
In February of 2004 the active Club members approved allowing the Club to financially support the NRA (with an individual's membership due).
On 11/22/07 the active Club members approved allowing any woman to join the Club.