Almost Heaven Archers…The First Year
By
Mark A. Jarrell, Chairman - Almost Heaven Archers
Isn’t it amazing how God can move the hearts of people to collectively combine a desire, formulate the thought and then gain the momentum necessary to achieve His final goal? You see, if God can create existence from nothing, if He can speak and the universe becomes, if He can put spittle on dirt and give sight to the blind, then He certainly can take a few willing men and organize them into a team of soul-winning bowhunters. That, my friend, is exactly what has happened to Almost Heaven Archers, the West Virginia chapter of Christian Bowhunters of America.
In December of 2005 a small group of committed men met for the first time to prayerfully consider starting a C.B.A. chapter in West Virginia. The thought had been bantered around for a few months but now the decision needed to be made. As we met, God’s presence was felt, and as we prayed and discussed what we should do, it became crystal clear that this ministry was being birthed and we were extremely excited.
With our chapter charter date confirmed by Merle Fredericks, C.B.A. Chapter Coordinator on December 19, 2005 we stepped out in faith to answer God’s call on our lives and this ministry. The very first stop was to be in front of 15,000 individuals during the January, 2006 WV Hunting and Fishing Show at the Charleston Civic Center. This is West Virginia’s largest gathering of hunting enthusiasts each year and we knew what was at stake. We were excited, scared, pumped up, scared, on fire for God and did I mention…scared? That dreaded “stepping into the unknown” was upon us and we sought God for assistance and He answered with Philippians 3:13-14 our chapter’s Bible verse: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This was everything we needed and for 30 hours we stepped up and out on faith for Jesus Christ. We introduced ourselves to literally thousands of interested visitors from all over our wonderful state and over two hundred signed up to receive more information. Our ministry had begun with a very loud “BANG” and we were off and running for God!
During the course of 2006 we were very active in providing opportunities for people to hear and make decisions about Jesus Christ and C.B.A. We truly believe in order for a C.B.A. chapter to grow it has to be active. We were a participant (table with A.H.A. & C.B.A. literature, magazines, tracts and brochures) at two of our own 3D shoots or gatherings, five of the West Virginia Bowhunters Associations 3D shoots, two bowhunting retreats and the WV Hunt Show. We held the first worship service at the WVBA annual awards and banquet weekend. Seven of our group even attended the C.B.A. National 3D shoot in Medina, NY. We also helped with the grand opening of the new Gander
Mountain outdoor store in Charleston and with one local Church Camp. Some of our members have taken the National Basic Archery Instruction certification course which now enables them to teach inside of the National Archery in the Schools program along with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and CenterShot Ministries. And at the 2007 WV Hunt show this January we handed out over 900 Bibles, 600 magazines, hundreds of tracts and a multitude of A.H.A. and C.B.A. applications.
We have established a monthly membership meeting inside of the Gander Mountain store. Each of these meetings have had a guest speaker (GoldTeam Outdoors, a taxidermist, a bow technician, a booking agent and the radio host for the local outdoors show) and a devotion which is led by one of our members. We have been averaging twenty at our meetings and have seen a lot of excitement both inside our membership & from those who are seeking to join.
Almost Heaven Archers has also started a new ministry which will enable us to reach outside of our comfort zone and into the local church. We have begun a Sunday evening preaching ministry which is wrapped around presenting Jesus Christ through His creation and the world of bowhunting. We have offered our services to churches in WV and are excited about what is to come. We utilize a ground blind, a 3D deer target, someone who makes arrows throughout the sermon and a great archer to help the congregation understand that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. It really is awesome to begin a sermon inside the blind with the people not knowing what is about to occur; but after the first few moments of preaching and an arrow flying across the stage – they soon find out this is going to be different!
In our effort to communicate Jesus Christ through bowhunting and archery we also decided we needed to be as up to date as we could be. The emphasis then was to develop a web-site to announce all of the events and ministry opportunities which are available to anyone who is interested. This includes all that I have discussed and much, much more. Our web-site is www.almostheavenarchers.com and I would whole-heartedly recommend that every chapter in C.B.A. initiate this in their ministry. Please start to utilize the technology which is available to you to communicate your ministry to the people in your area. Word of mouth is awesome but the information in cyberspace is vital to the growth of your chapter!
Our feeling is that as a ministry we must be able to present Jesus Christ in ways which will draw others to Him. Each of us have friends who bowhunt, or shoot archery, that we have invited to church and they never come. However, they will be the first one in your car or truck going to a 3D shoot or a hunt. This is one of our target groups and one of the reasons Almost Heaven Archers was begun. In our wonderful “Almost Heaven” West Virginia, we have thousands who are passionate about hunting who have no interest in starting a relationship with Jesus Christ. If we stand by and do nothing then their eternity will be without God and one in which they really will not want to participate. It is our joy to share what we know and who we know. We must remember that the love of God through His son Jesus is the hope of the world and the hope for all of these great, but lost, hunters in our state. To reach them for Jesus is our hope and their salvation is our prayer.
Since our very first ministry opportunity back in January, 2006, we have seen our ministry grow from 9 to 51 individuals and feel that this is just the beginning. We have a desire to see four more WV C.B.A. chapters start in our small state and will assist those who are presently praying about it. We have a goal to see children, youth, men and women who have never tried to shoot get involved in archery and the wonderful sport of bowhunting. It has been an awesome first year and we expect God to bless this ministry for many years to come.
I would like to also challenge each and every chapter to start or continue something which has brought us a multitude of blessings. Whatever your income is for your chapter, please tithe back to C.B.A. so that the national ministry can continue to be national in scope. We need to support the work of Dr. Wally Harder as he speaks across the country at shoots and conventions. Souls are being won and each chapter needs to financially support C.B.A. with 10% of their income. The response from God will make you smile!
I encourage each chapter to refocus, re-energize and to reestablish the purpose of your existence. I want to persuade you to strive for excellence and to accept nothing less. Pray, pray and pray some more for direction from God and the joy which He will give. Remember, there are souls seeking the Creator and it is our honor to lead them to Him.
If Almost Heaven Archers can be of assistance to any chapter, or anyone who is starting a chapter, then either contact us through our web-site or phone (304-744-7979). We will do all we can to ignite the fire of Jesus Christ in you and your chapter.
Aim high and hit the mark!