Angling Ministries Uses ‘Fishing as a Lure’ to Hook Unchurched

People used to skip church to go fishing. Nowadays they go fishing to have church. A growing number of churches, fishing ministries and parachurch groups nationwide are targeting unchurched anglers and outdoor enthusiasts-people outside the typical church's radar. Although fishing is considered a summer activity, these groups hold outreaches year-round.

Terry Chupp, founder of Team Jesus Ministries (www.teamjesusministries.org), which uses fishing, hunting and other recreational activities for evangelism, believes sportsmen are one of the most overlooked mission fields in the United States.

"In fishing, you don't catch the fish in your own bathtub," Chupp, 63, an ordained Southern Baptist minister and former professional bass fisherman, told "Charisma" magazine in the April issue, out now. The full report on fishing ministries can be found in the magazine.

"You have to go where they're at. If there's no cast, there's no catch," he added. "It's the same way with fishermen. You have to go where they're at -- and there are plenty of fishermen to catch out there." Continue reading