BAY MINETTE, Ala.  — The men of First Baptist Church of Bay Minette are planning and looking forward to the 14th annual Sportsman banquet, set for 6 p.m. on March 4. 

John Black and Darrell Robinson of FBC are coordinating the event and say there are going to be door prizes given away at the event. Free tickets may be acquired from the men, deacons, members, and from the FBC church office.

The banquet will feature a game-meat meal, along with Christian fellowship, witnessing and speaker Terry Chupp.

Chupp, who is from Georgia, grew up in church and became active as a deacon and music minister. On July 7, 1985, he had a life changing experience with Christ that forever changed his life. 

“I experienced a knock at the door of my heart by the Lord Jesus Christ, who made me realize that all of my good works — joining the church, serving in the church, even as a deacon and minister of music – was not what Christianity was all about,” Chupp said. “On that Sunday morning, I realized that if Jesus was knocking, he wanted to come in where he did not reside  — into my heart.”

He accepted Christ that morning and two years later felt a call into the Gospel ministry as a modern-day fisher of men.  In 1987, Chupp joined the Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society as a touring professional.  He was asked to sing at the fellowship service for the professionals, which was hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society (FOCas), and again he heard God knock on his heart’s door.

Chupp recalled that while singing the song, “People Need the Lord,” “as I was singing, God impressed upon my heart to start a ministry to them. God wanted me to personally share Him with each of the pros.  I believed they would be more apt to listen because I was one of them.”

He began leading the FOCAS meetings and was receiving calls from local churches to host revivals and concerts. Since that time, more than 5,000 people have prayed to receive Christ as a direct result of God’s use of Chupp.

In 1989, his local church family confirmed the evidence of his calling and in 1990 he was ordained.

In 1991, Chupp left the competitive side of the fishing trail to concentrate on the ministry, but in the fall of 1994 God reopened the door on the competitive side of the trail.  In 1995-1996, Chupp qualified as one of the top 100 pros in the world.

In October of 1997, Team Jesus Ministries was incorporated, and in 1998 was given a nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service. Team Jesus Ministries is a Jesus Christ honoring ministry designed to use fishing, hunting and other recreational activities to give the opportunity for evangelism.

Team Jesus Outreach Ministries provides pulpit supply, musical concerts, revivals/fishing for men crusades, wild game suppers, guest speaker/weighmaster for fishing tournaments, evangelism training, seminars/conferences, fishing seminars and assistance in developing outdoor ministries. Their mission statement is to exalt the savior, Jesus; to evangelize the lost; to edify the body of Christ; to encourage the believers; and to equip the saints to serve.

Saturday, March 5,at 9 a.m., Chupp and his wife will lead a soul-winning seminar on “How to be wise in God’s eyes” and “How to share your faith.”

For more information, call FBC at (251) 937-9536.