Getting outside church walls
Reaching the "Unreached"
In large swaths of the world, people choose to spend their weekends away from the local church in exchange for outdoor sports and recreation. Some do so as a parent of a child on a sports team, a traveling team; some find nature more alluring than spending time in a crowded building on a Sunday morning; while other view recreation their weekends to be spent doing something that brings them joy - never realizing they're missing out on eternal joy.
The links below are just a sampling of the variety of ways your ministry could influence "unreached" outdoor, sports and recreation enthusiasts to meet Jesus. Please email us if you have other resources.
Strategic Resources for Launching an Adventure Ministry
Check out these resources for launching an outdoor, sports and recreation adventure ministry in your church or organization.
- Bayside Adventure Sports Ministry - A Step-by-Step Guide
- Christian Sportsmen's Fellowship - Launching Your Outdoors Men’s Ministry
- Outdoor Leadership - 7 Tips for Successfully Launching an Outdoor Ministry
- Outdoor Ministry Calling - Article by Jason Cruise
- Strategies for Outdoor Ministries - Article by Jason Cruise
Articles, Books, Blogs, Podcasts, Speakers, Videos
Check out this library of resources for various outdoor sports and recreation adventure ministries.
Articles:
- 4 Critical Christian values Taught In Sports
- A Sporting Chance - How churches are responding to the sports phenomenon in kid culture today.
- Kid's Sports ... How It's Become an Idol to Families
- Should Your Homeschooler Play Sports At Your Local School?
- Sick and Tired of Competing With Sports
- Sports Parenting: 4 Tips for Parents of Athletes
- Sports Parenting: How to Encourage Your Kids When They Lose the Game
- Teaming Up with Sports Families
Books
- 365 Things Every Hunter Should Know
- A Look At Life from A Deer Stand
- Excellence: The Heart and Soul in Sports
- In the Arena: The Promise of Sports for Christian Discipleship
- In The Thick of It: Raising Sons to Be Men of Unyielding Conviction
- Integrity: The Heart and Soul in Sports
- Into the High Country: Spiritual Outdoor Adventures
- Recreation and Sports Ministry: Impacting the Postmodern Culture
- Serving: The Heart and Soul in Sports
- Teamwork: The Heart and Soul in Sports
- The Heart of an Athlete: Daily Devotions for Peak Performance
- The Heart of a Coach: Daily Devotions for Leading by Example
- A Wanted Man: Winning the War Against Your Soul
- Why We Hunt by Aaron B. Futrell
Blogs
- Outdoor Leadership by Ashley Denton
- Outdoor Insights by Steve Chapman
- Share the Wild by Jim Richman
Podcasts
Speakers
Videos and Vlogs:
Christian Camps & Conference Centers
Click here to find a variety of Christian Camps & Conference Centers all around the world.
Types of Outdoor Ministries
Land & Air
Gliding, Ballooning, Flying, Skydiving, Paragliding, Wingsuit flying, Skateboarding, Running, and more.
- Christian Sky Divers Association - Skydiving
- Christian Skaters - Skateboarding
- Extreme Christians - Various Extreme Sports
- The Association of Church Sports & Recreation Ministries - Various
Fish & Wildlife
Big Game Hunting, Waterfowl Hunting, Archery, Trap & Skeet Shooting, Trapping, Salt Water & Fresh Water Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Fly Fishing, Crabbing, Clam Digging, Conservation Groups, and more.
- Buck Creek Farms - Hunting
- Blast & Cast Men's Ministries * - Hunting and Fishing
- Centershot - Archery for Youth
- Christian Waterfowlers Association * - Waterfowl Hunting
- Family Lines * - Fishing/Whitewater Rafting
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes Outdoors - Archery, Shooting, Fishing, Hunting
- Final Descent Outdoors - Hunting
- Harvest Outdoor Ministries -Hunting
- High Plains Waterfowl * - Hunting
- Ironman Outdoors - Hunting, Retreats, and More
- More Than A Calling - Waterfowl Hunting
- Pastors in the Outdoors * - Hunting & Fishing
- Sportsmens Devotional - Hunting, Fishing, Photography
- The Call Outdoors - Hunting
- The Ranch Ministries - Hunting, Shooting, Veterans, and More
Mountains & Forests
Hunting, Geocaching, Wildlife safari, Camping, Birdwatching, Tree climbing, Adventure park, Orienteering, ATV riding, Paintball.
- Climbing for Christ - Mountaineering, Evangelism
- Climbers with Christ - Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Clinics, etc.
- Extreme Christians - Various Extreme Sports
- Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries - Wilderness, climbing, etc.
- YWAM Montanna Outdoor Ministry Program - Outdoor ministry training
Water
Boating, Diving, Swimming, Water Polo, Water Skiing, Waking, Snorkel and Scuba, and more.
- 320 Watersports
- Christian Boaters Association - Boating
- Extreme Christians - Various Extreme Sports
- In His Wakes - Water sports (Wakeboarding, Waterskiiing, etc.)
- Mission Navigation - Boating
Note: sites with "*" denotes a partner or affiliate of The Tie That Binds that's given us permission to host/share their content for ministry reference.
All non-designated partners are third-party sites for reference.
Adventure Retreats
Participate in adventure retreats with ministries that focus on such activities as fishing, kayaking, hunting, and more.
Outdoor Ministry Partners
Pastors in the Outdoors
High Plains Waterfowl Ministry
Pastors in the Outdoors
Our passion is to offer outdoor retreat experiences for Senior Pastors that will renew and refresh him, his family, and church to the ends of the earth. Each Pastor will have the opportunity to get outdoors in some beautiful settings to pause and reflect while being edified by our team and other pastors.
Family Lines
High Plains Waterfowl Ministry
Pastors in the Outdoors
Family Lines is about drawing the hearts of fathers & children together through providing space for past story to be shared & future legacy impacted.
High Plains Waterfowl Ministry
High Plains Waterfowl Ministry
Christian Waterfowlers Association
High Plains Waterfowl is a unique ministry opportunity that combines a love of the outdoors with the priority of the human soul. By impacting a hunting culture, we hope to see waterfowl hunters begin or renew a relationship with God. Experiencing God’s creation affords each hunter an opportunity to understand who God is by his handiwork.
Christian Waterfowlers Association
Christian Waterfowlers Association
Christian Waterfowlers Association
The Christian Waterfowlers Association was formed to combine people’s passion for waterfowling with their passion for Christ. Our primary goal is to preserve our Christian and waterfowling heritage, and with your help, together we can accomplish this.
Mission Mountain Ministries
Christian Waterfowlers Association
Mission Mountain Ministries
Mission Mountain Ministries exists to serve Christian missionaries by providing a retreat center near Glacier National Park in Montana where they can come to rest, be refreshed and refocus on their ministry.
We offer discounted rates to missionaries and Christian workers for stays with us.