The Outdoor Ministry
God’s Answer to prayer
The ministry concept began in a most unusual and unexpected way. In 2018, my wife, Louann and I decided to devote our Lenten season to intentional, fervent prayer as leaders of our local church. After dinner, we limited our TV viewing to selected, trusted Biblical teaching and worship. I had been praying in my quiet time for wisdom, in accordance with James 1:5 which states, “If anyone lacks wisdom, ask God Who gives generously.” Louann and I prayed and searched the scripture for God’s wisdom—I had no idea where God would send me to receive the answer to my prayer.
In July of 2019, my 87-year-old dad, Bob (an avid fisherman) and I made our first-ever salmon fishing trip to the Kenai River in Alaska. One morning, Dad and I met our fishing guide and two other men from Texas at 4:00 AM to leave the dock for our day of fishing. We learned that these two men were there in Alaska with eighteen men from The Sportsmen’s Church in Victoria, Texas. Here we were in one of the premier salmon fishing spots in the world and I spent the day fishing and talking with these men about God and church.
In the months following our trip, I couldn’t get what they shared with me out of my head! I was excited and felt like God was telling me that He had answered my prayer and wanted me to start a similar ministry. I came up with every excuse to say “No, I couldn’t.” Yet, as I shared the story of the vision God gave me for The Outdoor Ministry, people listened and were interested, too. Most people seemed excited and asked me if I was going to do it—telling me they could see themselves worshipping in a relaxed, outdoor atmosphere—a ministry without walls.
Our church voiced support and encouragement. I met with some local Christian friends and we began to see the vision together. After several meetings and a lot of prayer, The Outdoor Ministry was launched in February of 2020. In obedience to God, we started meeting on Sunday nights in our backyard with a fellowship meal and a message. We are still in the infant stage of this new ministry and we pray that God will add to our numbers as we fellowship and pray. The pandemic has somewhat slowed down our plans, but we are using this time to gain wisdom, discernment, and direction to do His will.
The study of God’s Word is a priority in our ministry. A ladies’ Bible study was already established. A men’s Bible study started, which is growing both locally and around the country as men join via the Zoom platform. We trust that if we adhere to the new church guidelines in Acts 2, God will add to our numbers. Both men and women are actively engaging in becoming true, Bible-believing disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, and God has already added to our numbers!
The Outdoor Ministry Church 