LOXLEY, Ala. — Olympic-style archery and Bible study…not a combination you would immediately put together.

But for Bo Rice, pastor of First Baptist Church Loxley, the two go hand in hand, thanks to Centershot Ministries, based out of Minneapolis, Mn.

With the slogan, “Make Christ the target of your life”, this interdenominational outreach ministry aims to use the sport of archery as a tool to help churches draw young people to the gospel as well as teaching them the life skills gained from the sport, according to centershot ministries.org

Offered as an eight week class meeting every Thursday night from 6:30-8 p.m. since June 16 in the church’s Christian Life Center, Rice said they have two weeks left in this session and have 70 kids registered and about 30 to 40 regular attendees from all over the county.

“Being a hunter myself and loving the sport of archery, I was really excited when I heard about this program other churches were doing. I knew it was something our kids would benefit and learn from. It’s an outreach ministry for us and we are pleased with it’s success so far,” Rice said.

Using equipment from Rosinton Elementary School’s archery team, this program is open to all ages starting at four years old and going to adults and follows the NASP (National Archery in Schools Program) format, Rice said.

“Myself, Ralph Rimmer (youth minister) and Richard Paul (6th grade teacher at Rosinton) teach the classes and we divide the kids into groups, 4-6 year olds and 8 years old and up. Each group shoots three arrows and tries to hit the target. We score them and then the next group comes up. It’s a very organized format and we stress safety above all. We have a kevlar curtain we hang behind the targets so if they miss the arrows just drop, “ Rice said.

With 12-20 volunteers helping the little ones shoot, Rice said they go first while the older ones are doing the Bible study taught by Rice, Rimmer and Paul. When the little ones are done, the older ones get their turn. Some of the older kids are from Rosinton and are on the archery team there.

“We would not have been able to do any of this without the generosity of Rosinton letting us use their equipment. We have to give it back to them when school starts and are going to start raising money to get our own from Centershot,” Rice explained.

Costing about $2,200-3,350 from the Centershot kit, Rice said they want to hold classes throughout the year once they get their equipment. “This is a great opportunity for everyone to strengthen their archery skills and spiritual life at the same time. Although it’s targeted to kids, we have 55 to 60 year old adults doing it too. It’s not limited to a certain age group.”

No experience is required, Rice said, and wants to stress this is not the hunting type of archery so participants don’t need to bring their own bows. “Each of us had to go through a training class to be certified to teach this type of archery.”

Centershot’s mission and vision for beginning this ministry was “to provide the local church with a tool that will help evangelize, disciple, mentor and grow its church family and to inspire, serve and partner with the local church to grow God’s kingdom in the local community.”

The NASP’s program teaches 4-12th grade students in a school setting and was started in 2002 in Kentucky and has spread throughout the country. Students shoot at 80 centimeter bullseye targets and also teaches the history, safety, technique and equipment use as well as mental concentration, core strengthening, physical fitness and self-improvement, according to nasparchery.com.

For more information about the program or to donate to the equipment fund, contact Rice at (251) 964-5261 or mail donation to FBC Loxley, P.O. Box 114, Loxley, Al 36551