Randy,
I was informed of your organization through some men at my church after I expressed a burden to start a similar ministry at Great Hills Baptist. I am currently a member of Christian Hunters and Anglers based out of Tyler (http://www.hunters-anglers.org/), since I wasn't aware of any such group in the Austin area. I went on a trip with them to Port O'Conner about a week after the recent hurricane, and had a great time.
My question is this...how much of your effort is ministry based versus recreation based? I seen a huge need for male leadership in the church today, and am interested in working in ministries that are looking for ways to actively train men as husbands and leaders...and actively recruit young men into the ranks. From looking at your website, it appears that you are more focused on fellowship and recreation since you mention that Bible studies are a part of the dove retreat, but I didn't see much else.
Please understand, regardless of how your group is focused, I am not throwing stones or casting any criticism. I think fellowship is a needful thing. But as a single father teaching a singles Sunday School class, I feel such a need to work with boys of broken homes to provide a Godly example of manhood, and I think this type of organization could be used of God in that fashion. Can you give me your insight, and an understanding of your heart for this group?
Till Everyone Hears,
Mark Dillow
I sent the following reply:
Mark,
Thanks for your inquiry. I am pleased to meet a man who obviously has a heart for God and wants to serve Him. You might have read the history page on the FCS website. What is not stated is that the first hunt was conceived and organized during a Great Hills Men's Retreat (actually in route to the retreat). A group of us were riding in Todd Reed's suburban and the subject of hunting came up. Lee Tunnell stated that his lease had too many goats on it and needed to have some harvested. He asked those present if they would like to go on a hunt. This turned in to our first Mouflon and Corsican Sheep hunt. Although the majority of the original members were Great Hills members we never considered naming the Club the Great Hills Sportsmen's Club. We wanted it to be multi-church. In fact, in the beginning, ministry was not a consideration, as was reflected by our name - the B & P (Burp & Poot) Club.
In 1990 we changed our name to FCS and became more ministry focused, however, as you gathered, our primary focus is, and always has been, fellowship. This is not to say that we do not have other areas of ministry. Our website includes a Prayer Requests and Praise page. Members are encouraged to pray for each others needs and thus "bear each others burdens." We also have a devotionals page on our website. The majority of these devotionals are sportsmen based. At our Dove Retreats we usually have at least Bible studies but also have had sermons (by pastors), testimonies, and song services. We have never had an emphasis on training and/or discipleship.
We are not opposed to such activities, in fact we believe that they are vital ministries, however, they are not our priority or focus. Reaching out to the next generation is a priority, but we do that primarily through fellowship. Most of the Christian sportsmen's organizations that I am aware of our primarily fellowship based. You might want to utilize our links page to check out several other organizations. Christian Hunters and Anglers is one of the links on that page. We are always looking for more men to help in our ministry. I cannot make any promises as to if the members would embrace your ideas. As a member you would have to right to make proposals when we have elections and at Club meetings. If you would like I would be happy to add you to my e-mail distribution list. You would be notified when the website has been updated and other FCS news. May the Lord bless you in all your endeavors.
Serving Him and you,
Randy
Mark sent the following reply on 9/3/03:
Thanks Randy, I appreciate the response.
If you are a member at Great Hills, you know we are engaged in a new FAITH Sunday School outreach. I think that with new men coming to the church and coming to know the Lord, FCS can be a dynamite way to get those new members and baby Christians plugged into the Christian life. I think it will let the "newbies" see Christianity doesn't just exist on Sunday morning, and that we aren't all a bunch of pious saints (we actually can have fun!). Fellowship is a great way to accomplish that.
I personally would like to get plugged in with ya'll and see where the Lord leads from there.
Blessings,
Mark