MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT: GLENN CHAPPELEAR

Pro-bass fisherman tells guys to be “fishers of men”
By Vanessa Rodriguez
Reprinted and adapted with permission of the Florida Baptist Convention.

Glenn Chappelear
6018 Fords Lake Ct. NW
Acworth, GA 30101-8471
glennchappelear@cs.com

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FBC)—Until a few years ago, Glenn Chappelear never imagined he could use his hobbies as a ministry. But in 1997 God called him out of his “comfortable” job and challenged him to begin a ministry to sportsmen.

Eight years later, as a pro-bass fisherman and outdoorsman, he still tells fishing stories to win others to the Lord.

According to Chappelear, founder of Sportsman Outreach Ministry and keynote speaker of a recent Florida Baptist Men’s Rally, the skills put to use in pro-bass fishing are also useful in becoming an effective fisher of men.

Comparing rods and lures to his hunting tract and fishing video, he said “When I pull up to a gas station and someone comes to me and talks about fishing or hunting, I’m prepared when that ‘fish’ swims up to me. That’s when I’m catching the big one.” His fishing video features highlights from professional bass tournaments and includes a gospel presentation.

Still, Chappelear knows the opportunity to share the gospel can slip away as easily as it comes.

Confessing his internal struggle to maintain flexibility in his schedule for those unexpected interruptions—like sharing the gospel at the gas station—he challenged everyone to see such occasions as opportunities to “show the love of God.”

“Be on mission because we are not promised tomorrow,” Chappelear said. “[The] Father gives us eyes to see the ‘fish’ all around us.”

The hesitancy to share at such a moment is a scheme of the devil, Chappelear said.

As a pro-bass fisherman and experienced hunter, Chappelear claims he is “in the business of fooling animals,” camouflaging himself and using decoys to effectively hunt and fish.

As a Christian, he claims Satan does the same to believers. “That is why we have to be wise to the schemes of the devil. We must be wise to the battle,” he said.

Glenn Chappelear was a Week of Prayer Missionary in 1999. To read a story about his ministry that appeared during that time, click here.

--Vanessa Rodriguez works in the communication’s department of the Florida Baptist Convention. This article first appeared in the November 25, 2004 issue of the Florida Baptist Witness. Reprint permission has been granted by the Florida Baptist Convention Communications Department.

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