Forty-six-year-old Hoyt Casey has killed his fair share of deer over the years, but a recent three-day hunting trip in Alabama’s Black Belt allowed him an extra reason to give thanks.
A few days before Thanksgiving, Casey and four members of SonRise Outdoors were among those who took six youngsters — many of whom are disabled, diagnosed with cancer or have parents in jail — on a hunting trip to Selma. While all of the hunters saw a deer, Casey said the greatest blessing was sharing the gospel with them.
“To take a knee, put your arm around a child before sunrise on the way to a (deer) stand in God’s great outdoors and pray to God to bless the young hunter, be with him as he grows up and have a bountiful hunt were amazing memories,” Casey said shortly after the hunt wrapped up. “To sit in a stand with these kids and show them firsthand of God’s great outdoors was something I won’t forget.”
The pre-Thanksgiving trip was one of three hunts scheduled by SonRise Outdoors, a newly formed Alabama ministry to children who have suffered misfortune or critical illnesses.
While Casey said helping these kids — ages 10 to 17 — overcome their situations may be impossible, he believes the SonRise Outdoors can bring a little joy into their lives with Christ’s help.
“I’ve had a load of fun,” said Josh Duckworth. “I saw a deer chase a dog.
“It was priceless,” he continued. “I didn’t kill a deer, but it was still one of the best few days of my life.”
Justin Townes also described the weekend as one of his best ever.
“The food, green fields and the church service were the best,” Townes said. “I was the first one to kill a deer in the field, and I shot it from 130 yards. It was a big one.”
Casey said the most recent hunt was filled with opportunities to hunt and learn more about Christ.
Hunting aspects of the trip included a safety and firearm instruction class from a representative with the State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, an archery demonstration and watching a coyote hunt its prey.
The gospel presentations centered around the theme of choices.
“Our devotions explained to these kids that they would have many choices in life and if they chose to follow Jesus Christ, their life will not only be better here in this world, but through all eternity,” Casey said.
He said it was one of the most spiritually uplifting experiences of his lifetime. “This was the most awesome thing I have ever done. It was more like a Christian youth rally than a hunting trip.”
Since the idea for SonRise Outdoors was laid, Casey said it has rapidly progressed.
Earlier this year, Casey first discussed his desire to further the Kingdom through this ministry with his pastor, Jason Hallmark of Ford’s Valley Baptist Church, Gadsden, in Etowah Baptist Association.
By June, Casey and other members of the church founded the ministry. Two months later the ministry obtained a piece of hunting land and shortly afterwards renovated buildings that now include a kitchen and bunk beds.
With assistance from Ford’s Valley Baptist, area businesses and other individuals, each participant is given the opportunity to hunt and receives hunting apparel. Casey said each applicant is carefully screened.
By the end of the year, 16 total participants in need of some encouragement will have been given the opportunity to hunt and hear the gospel.
“Our purpose is not to hunt but to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ with these kids,” Casey said. “If you’ll spend time with these kids, it may turn their lives around. Some of these kids have never heard the gospel and desperately need to hear about Him. To know that we’re being used in some way to do that is humbling.”
For more information about SonRise Outdoors, visit www.sonriseoutdoors.com or call 256-390-1693.
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