A Personal Message From Dick About His Ministry

When I take a step back and reflect on where my life has taken me to date, I say “wow”, it’s been an incredible journey. Some have even said that I have one of the most enviable jobs on the planet. I will admit there are times that it's even difficult for me to believe that my employment consists of being a full time outdoor writer, photographer and speaker. But let me assure you, the trail I have chosen to follow has been a well laid out path orchestrated by a wise Master Guide.

Although I’ve had the good fortune to hunt for and harvest some of the largest whitetails to walk the forest and been given the opportunity to capture this incredible animal on film in many locations, this is not the driving force in my life. Relationships far outweigh whitetails and people constitute far greater significance than another set of antlers on the wall. Life lived out to its fullest is but a mere “vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” With that in mind it becomes important that my time here have an impact on all those that I cross paths with. “The worth of a life is to invest it in something that will outlast it.”

There are scores of hunters I meet each year who share like passions with me. They enjoy a creation that visibly displays God’s handiwork as Psalms 19:1 describes, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” These individuals find solace and peace when walking a wilderness trail, become awestruck at towering mountains that rise up to meet the heavens and meditative in the orange after glow of an evening sunset. They are enchanted with each wildlife encounter and are continuously fascinated by the secretive qualities of the white-tailed deer.

As I communicate with my fellow hunters I also realize, despite their affirmation of a creator and our mutual enjoyment of all the wonderment the land beyond the pavement engenders, many have never personally met the God of creation. A God who desperately loves us and desires to have a relationship with us as spoken in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.”

Each year most of my speaking engagements are held in Christian venues, which give me the opportunity to share both nature and my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is my fervent hope and prayer that these speaking opportunities help introduce many to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ – A Savior who loved us enough to willingly sacrifice his life on our behalf.

Last edited: 03/24/2007