Wild Game Dinner spreads Gospel in Park Hills
By Staff
March 22, 2005
PARK HILLS – Following through on one of the outreach strategies being promoted by the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), First Baptist Church, Park Hills, hosted its 13th annual Wild Game Dinner Feb. 19.
During events like the one held at Park Hills, the community is invited to sample all kinds of exotic meat, including deer, beaver, elk, wild boar and fish. Dishes, stews and chilies are made from the meat. Along with the wild game tasting, participants get to hear about Jesus. It is estimated that as many as half of the men and boys attending do not go to church.
“We have sought to have a strong commitment to presenting the Gospel message,” said Bill Holbrook, pastor, First Park Hills. “We know of one who made a public profession of faith and asked Christ into his life that night and reports of guys attending church the next day who normally do not attend. We invite churches in our association to bring men and to help in the event. We then refer names of those making any decision to the church of their preference if one is given, or we seek to follow up ourselves.”
A “Tame Game” Dinner for women was offered this year for the first time. The men’s dinner was held at Park Hills Central High School, with the women’s dinner at the church. The women ate ham.
About 400-450 people attended the dinners, Holbrook said, to hear guest speakers Russell and Sharleen Thornberry of Montgomery, Ala. Russell Thornberry is vice president and executive editor of Buckmaster magazine.
Mineral Area Baptist Association has helped sponsor the event the last two years. Holbrook said that Richard Wadlow helps organize the event as well as overseeing the activity of several hunters and fishermen throughout the year who wind up donating meat for the dinner.