LEGACY OUTDOOR MINISTRIES                                      

   Kyle Woodfin, Director

   310 West Lucille Ave.

   Alamo, GA 30411

   (912) 568-7125  Home

   (478) 251-2842 Cell

                                                 

Email   kyle@legacyoutdoorministry.com

    “Building a Christian Legacy through the Great Outdoors.”

 

WILD GAME BANQUETS

 

PURPOSE:

To use the festive setting of a Wild Game Banquet to reach men and boys for Christ.  To encourage Christian men in their walk with the Lord and to equip them to use their outdoor hobbies of hunting for the Glory of God.

 

PREPARATIONS:

1.         Pray for God’s leadership, timing and presence in all preparations.

2.         Secure timing and date of event.  (I have found it more successful to plan a time either before hunting season begins or after hunting season has concluded.  During hunting season men are more interested in hunting than just talking about it.)

3.         Secure a special speaker with a good Christian reputation.  You will want to choose someone that men will relate to, someone they will see as a professional in an area of interest.  i.e. Sports, hunting, fishing, NASCAR, etc.  Agree in advance on compensation, travel expenses and accommodations while there.  Remember for some speakers this is their source of income and not just a donation. I will be glad to do this for you, the Lord has given me many opportunities to do so and many have come to Christ along the way.

4.         Begin to encourage the men in your participating churches to set aside wild game to be used for the event.  The more you have donated the less expense you will incur.  You may want to purchase some novelty meats such as buffalo, rattle snake, alligator tail, et. (This is optional.)  This may help you round out your menu as well as serve as an additional attraction.  Also, be sure to have some vegetables and desserts as well as your drinks.

5.         Secure location for the event.  Often your local church may have facilities that will accommodate your needs.  However, a neutral site in the community may be more effective in reaching unchurched men.  Look for a city gymnasium or auditorium, a football field, National Guard Armory, or club house.  The time of year and weather considerations will play a big part in this decision.

6.         You will have to decide whether to charge for the event or not.  This may depend on your budget.  Some churches prefer not to charge and treat the event totally as a ministry.  However, charging can be helpful in your outreach.  When money is involved people have a tendency to commit to being there.  If it is free they have no remorse of finding something else to do at the last moment.  You can have your churched men purchase the tickets and give them away.  Have them sponsor a table and then fill it up with the unchurched friends.  Or simply sell them to whoever wants one.  This money generated can really help offset the cost of meat, door prizes and honorariums.

7.         Print numbered tickets.  Whether you charge or not have tickets to help you have an good idea of how many to prepare for.  Also when an unchurched man is given a ticket it becomes more of a personal touch to encourage him to come.


 

8.         Prepare registration cards to be used the night of the event.  The registration cards should include: Name, Address, Phone, email address, church affiliation.  On back of card have places to record responses: Tonight I prayed to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior, Tonight I recommitted my life to Christ, I have personal questions I would like to discuss about my spiritual life, etc.

9.         Begin to acquire Door Prizes.  Some could be donated but don’t expect all free hand outs.  Look for men oriented prizes from Sporting Goods Stores, Taxidermist discounts, Professional Hunting and Fishing Guides, etc.  Be prepared to purchase a few quality Door Prizes.  SAVE THE DOOR PRIZES TO THE VERY END OF THE EVENING!  This will encourage unchurched men to stay even when being convicted.

10.        Set up meeting facility with hunting and fishing decorations.  Remember the cooking of that much meat will take some time, especially the smoked meats.  Be sure to have enough tables and chairs to match the number of tickets distributed plus some extras.  Last minute growth of numbers often occurs so be prepared.

11.        On the night of the event have the men come in and sit and then open food lines.  It is helpful to have at least 4 serving lines or 2 lines of tables where people can go down both sides.  If serving takes too long you will loose some before the program is finally able to start.

12.        Begin part of the program while people are still eating.  This will help involve them and reduce the desire to flee before the “preaching” starts.  Music or some type of demonstration works well here.

If you use music it does not have to be just Christian music.  Clean fun music goes well.

13.        As meals are being completed begin the main portion of the program that will include the Gospel presentation.

14.        Save your registration cards till the end.  Make sure everyone is handed a card at the end of the presentation.  Take time to pray and then lead them in filling out the cards for decisions and for the Door Prize drawings.

15.        Take up the cards and begin the selection of Door Prizes.  Close as you see fit.  Walk down the isle invitations are usually not effective in this setting.

16.        Take time to share victories with your local church the next Sunday and in the weeks that follow.  This will hold you accountable and allow them to share the vision.

17.        Clean-Up Crew.  You will need to have men available to help stay clean up.  Try not to over work those who have cooked all day.

18.        GIVE GOD THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!

19.        Be sure to have a follow up visitation team to visit those who made decisions or visit all who came.

20.        Be sure to sit down and evaluate the event.