"Walking with God" - A Personal Account from a Pastor and Recipient of the 2021 Outdoor Restorative Retreat Hunting TripAs a ministry professional, I had never had the opportunity to pursue the idea of becoming an outdoor sportsman (hunting) before this year. But I had dreamed about it. I had a fascination with firearms, how to use them, and the idea of pursuing wild game for food. So, when Jeff from Paraclete Mission Group (
www.paraclete.net) approached me with a grant to learn the process of how to hunt and learn a new way to rest and rejuvenate my passion for ministry - I jumped at the idea. This was an opportunity to pursue both practical skills and learn new habits of rest in a way that I never thought was going to be achievable.
The first step was to complete a hunter’s education safety course. I found it to be filled with information with which I hadn’t expected to be interacting. Not only did it help me practice better firearm safety and use, but it contained awareness about conservation, how to track wild game, how weather conditions effect animal habits, and much more.
As the preparation for the hunt continued, I was surprised with how much planning goes into an endeavor like this. Without the support from Jeff, who met with me throughout the last year on a regular basis to check in with me and my ministry, I would never have been able to make a trip like this possible. Whether it was booking a semi-guided hunt with a guide service; acquiring a firearm and sighting it in; getting donations of camouflage clothing, backpacks, binoculars, and ammunition; booking a lodging facility; buying licenses; and even Jeff lending us a vehicle that was big enough for a journey like this - there was a lot that went into the planning of this trip.
All these things take some serious time and money. For someone like me, a pastor in full-time ministry who’s on call all the time, while having a family, this first hurdle seemed insurmountable. But God provided a way, through the Ministry Care Fund grant provided by Paraclete Mission Group that Jeff created and the generous donors who invested. What a valuable tool to teach pastors like me how I could learn the habit of resting while being active in the outdoors. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.
This last year of ministry has been the hardest year of my life. When Jeff and I began to plan this trip, my friend, Jon, gave me an extra rifle scope for the hunt to use on my rifle. He and I were deeply close Christian brothers. He was someone whom I shared my family with and enjoyed his companionship in many ways. We’d spend time together discussing our faith, our dreams, and the activities we wanted to do together. I really loved our friendship.
Then, just three days after he gave me a scope, Jon passed away in a freak accident. I was crushed. Not only did I lose a best friend, but the very thought of hunting and becoming an outdoorsman was directly tied to his love of the outdoors, too. And now, I would have to decide if it was worth it to even bother. Could I enjoy the thought of hunting or hiking without his company with me? Would it be worth it?
I decided that it was worth the try.
So, soon after his death, I decided in my heart that this hunting trip was no longer just a trip to get away from the business of ministry, but rather, it became a way to honor Jon’s friendship and generosity while also strengthening my relationship with the Lord. The last 10 months had been tough. Not only did I lose Jon, but I also endured the strains of ministry when several other relationships within ministry became strained. And so, I began to eagerly look forward to a time to get out into the woods and just be alone with God and be alone in the outdoors.
As it goes, I spent 4 days on a semi-guided deer hunting trip in Eastern Washington with another pastor. We encountered lots of deer, mostly does and a few immature bucks, but what an experience to hike, scout, and entertain the beauty of the hunt!
And although we didn’t harvest a deer, I began to realize that the harvest I really needed was in the experience itself. Taking the time to be quiet in the outdoors, especially while walking, was one of the best ways for me to find rest. I can clearly see now that the world around me is busy, and that busyness gets ingrained into us all. This trip really helped to re-center my heart and mind with the Lord.
Getting away reminded me to spend more time with Him. I think this was my biggest take away from this whole experience. When life gets crazy and people get distracted from God, taking the time to be alone with God in the outdoors can make a dramatic difference. As a result - I have a new appreciation for the outdoors and the God who created it for myself. I look forward to taking more walks with him while searching for wild game. Who knows, maybe next year I’ll find what I’m looking for or maybe I already have.
Thankfully, “D”
*PS Because of your support for pastors like “D”, we’re giving ministry leaders the opportunity to dream, rest, and refresh. This is a unique way to address the stress and anxieties that ministry leaders face in difficult world. Thank you for giving ministry leaders a chance to find healing and rest this year!
Thanks again, to all who've invested in this project this year! To give more donations or financially to support this work, please send me a PM.
