Church Sign

Mt Olivet Baptist Church had their third annual Sportsman Rally earlier this month and I had to check this out. I’ve been to a number of Sportsman Wild Game Dinners over the years but what I experienced this weekend blew all of them out of the water.

A pretty Big Crowd


Most of the time these events attract mostly men and boys with the opportunity to try some wild game but this event attracted the entire community. Entire families were there this was the happening event for this rural community. As it got close to the time for them to begin serving dinner I was amazed at the size of the crowd and I’ll admit I wondered if they could possible have enough to feed everyone. The line snaked around the large tent out into the parking lot and all the way to the other side of the church. I guessed it to be close to 1000 people.

A long line even an 1 hr into the dinner service


The menu consisted of a wide selection of wild game; Alligator, bison, wild boar, deer, all kinds of fish, rattlesnake, and a number of other things I’m surely forgetting it was truly amazing at what there was to choose from. It took a while but everyone got through the line and there was still food left.
A gospel quartet “Unashamed” performed and they really got the crowd into it. I’d never heard them before but they were really good. After that my good friend Mike Noles from Conman’s Guide Service brought the message about “Thirsting for the Lord”… “Like the deer pants for the water so does my soul pant for you…” I’ve known Mike for a number of years and have heard him share the Lord with individuals it was great to see him talking before such a large crowd. There were a number of folks that responded to the message and got themselves right with God.

Stage and some of the prizes for the free raffle


After the service they drew names from all those who registered earlier in the evening when they showed up at the event for the free raffle. They gave away fishing equipment, hunting equipment including some guns. At a time when folks are really struggling an event like this is amazing. There was absolutely no cost for any of it the church and those in organizing it covered it all. There was a bucket for donations but zero pressure to give. This was truly an outreach ministry by the church to the surrounding community.

A tip of the hat to all those involved in putting this event together it was truly a remarkable evening. If there is anyone thinking about doing something like this with their church it is worth it to talk to the folks at Mt Olivet Church in Franklinton NC to get some tips on how to put on event like this.

Mike Noles owner of Conman's Guide Service brought the message

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