By Tom LaLond
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First, let us ponder these questions:
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“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” -Matthew 7:8. If we look back on our lives, we may see times where we momentarily didn’t recognize that our hearts were searching for “something”. That type of searching is our heart’s longing desire to be close to our Lord, whether we recognize it as such or not. Darren Grefe, Kicking Bear’s Mentorship Development Coordinator is about the story of a man who, in many people’s eyes, has it all. He’s worked hard to be very successful in his trade as a tool and die maker project manager. He’s also a proficient hunter and trapper, and an incredible hunting guide. Yet he was still searching for something that would be truly fulfilling, and then he found Kicking Bear or God was calling him. He didn’t “test the waters” but jumped into the Kicking Bear Ministry with both feet. Once in, the impact would wash over Kicking Bear like a tidal wave in the form of outstanding outdoor activities with mentors and mentees. This led to kids catching fish, finding shed antlers, harvesting turkeys and whitetail deer; and many for the very first time.
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Fast forward a couple frames, and a key leadership characteristic was discovered while Darren volunteered at the La Crosse Archery-Kicking Bear Adventure Day. That quality was patience. Darren spent at least 10 minutes instructing a very shy, quiet, young girl how to safely hold and aim the sight of the Mission crossbow down range onto a pink balloon. That shy and quiet little girl turned into a roaring fan in a matter of seconds after seeing the bolt from the crossbow hit and pop the balloon! Her reaction to all this is still one of Darren’s favorite experiences while being a part of Kicking Bear. That afternoon encounter allowed Darren to experience the impact that archery can have on a child’s confidence. He also learned about himself in that God had allowed him the ability to have patience that he didn’t know he was capable of. It was a great opportunity for him that created generational impact.
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Darren knew then that this opportunity was going to allow him to help Kicking Bear with its mentorship program. Darren realized this type of commitment might include long hours, ups and downs, and possibly stepping far outside of his comfort zone. Some of the qualities needed for this position would include perseverance, determination, a complete servant’s heart, and, of course, perfect patience. This position would require him to knock on many land owner doors in search of access to property owners who would not only allow us to put on youth hunts but be willing to host our groups, if possible. Darren knew there might be setbacks, but that’s where perseverance comes in. He learned to compartmentalize and move on. There was also the whole thing concerning “comfort zones.” Darren knew he would need to prepare for many of those things in advance, which he did.
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In Darren’s own words, “God has given me great joy in my heart to team up with volunteers and mentors to provide these kids the opportunity in the outdoors that they would never have had and to give them hope and a vision for a better life. This has made a life-changing impact, not only on them, but also on me.”
The next time you encounter “wild man”, “General Darren”, flying around a Kicking Bear event or hunt, be sure to thank him personally or send your thanks for what Darren is doing straight to the Lord, because under that great smile and joyous laughter is a spiritually-led man of perseverance.
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“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”
-Matthew 25:40
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Kicking Bear is now going into its 20th year–there are several new camps starting up in 2019 across the nation, and only God knows the heights to which He will take them.
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