Outreach Through The Outdoors

Members of a local church and local business owners ( Archery Unlimited In Prattville ) recently partnered to sponsor two young men for an outdoors weekend at an Autauga County hunting camp. Autauga County resident James Segers, son of Lamar and Audra Segers, and a youth from the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes were guests of the Autauga Creek Hunting Club and the Glynwood Baptist Church the weekend of January 4-6, 2008. For James Segers, who had spent several weeks in Children’s Hospital in 2007 for treatment of a heart infection, this was a great opportunity for him to return to normal activities that he enjoys. For the young man (whose name cannot be printed for privacy reasons) from the Children’s Home, this was the first time he had ever been hunting. His foster father house parent accompanied him on the trip.

The young men and their fathers were treated to a weekend of camping out, learning about hunting safety, deer hunting, and just enjoying being outdoors by the members of the hunting club. The Autauga Creek Hunting Club, led by Phillip Upshaw, club president, also a member of Glynwood Baptist, provided the camp and hunting land. Other club members guided the guests during the weekend. Rev. Mike Denning, Associate Pastor of Glynwood Baptist Church Prattville, served as the coordinator for the event.

Local business sponsors who provided hunting clothing and equipment for the young men were Rick Hellums, President of Archery Unlimited; Mike Hester of Young Bucks Outdoors Online Magazine; and Deborah Platt, owner and operator of Deborah’s Stitchery. Other members of the Glynwood Baptist Church provided a camper and food for the event.

When asked why the church sponsored this event, Rev. Denning said, "We need to be outside the four walls of the church, creating opportunities to share the love of Christ with others. Whether it is through hunting, motorcycle events, or fishing, what ever it takes to full fill the Great Commission. I hope that this will become an annual event for our church and the Autauga Creek Hunting Club."