| By Michael L. Ritchie, DC
July 31st, 2019 |
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The two-day camp included: 3-D archery using Genesis and Mission bows, archery tag, tomahawk throwing, crossbow shooting, swimming, Tug of war, minnows and sharks, relay races of all kinds, a marshmallow fight with 50 bags of marshmallows, and culminated in Aaron sharing the gospel message by using the Genesis “Wordless bow.” Fireworks ended the busy day with lights out at 11 pm. Saturday started off early with breakfast and a NASP/Centershot outdoor tournament. Lunch and awards followed the tourney and a baptism was planned for those who were saved through the ministry of the Word. |
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“We are seeing a clear pattern around the country: revival is happening in churches, communities and families through the sport of archery. Kicking Bear draws families in; the vehicle is the Genesis bow, and Centershot Ministries encourages families into discipleship at the local church level,” says Centershot Ministries’ Director, Aaron Scheer. Howell agrees. “Like Moses delivered the people of Israel with a shepherd’s staff, God is doing the same thing with a bow and arrows.” |
| The tug of war began between the boys and the girls with the boys narrowly beating the girls in 2 straight matches. “You know, we had one of our ropes let loose one time, there were so many kids pulling in opposite directions,” Howell told Ritchie. “Now we have a 2-5/8” ropes 100 foot long just to make sure it never happens again.” The world is pulling families apart these days, and it is up to God’s church to bring them together. The three-fold cord the Holy Spirit used this weekend was Kicking Bear Camps, the Genesis Bow and a Centershot Church that has made Christ the target of their lives. The commitment cards after the evening message showed that 12 young people gave their hearts to Jesus and 11 rededicated their lives to Him. Five young people and a grandmother committed to being baptized. |
“One woman who brought her daughter and grandson to the camp told me that Eli (her grandson) went home and told his mom he got saved and baptized. He had the biggest smile on his face,” said Ritchie. Ritchie had the privilege of baptizing Grandma and grandson the next day at Roscommon Baptist Church’s morning service. “Jo-Jo, her daughter, also wants to be baptized in two weeks so that her friend can be there.” Kicking Bear’s motto is “Put a bow in a kid’s hand and lead their family to the Lord – one-on-one.” A mentor, a bow, a kid and the Lord is a cord not easily broken! |
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| The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:12,
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. |