In this episode of the Ordinary Christian Podcast, Craig Thompson interviews Bryant Sims, a former pastor and current employee of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. They discuss Bryant’s unique approach to evangelism through outdoor activities, particularly squirrel hunting, and how he has successfully integrated these interests into church outreach and men’s ministry. The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships, contextualizing ministry efforts, and being intentional in sharing the gospel.

Takeaways

• Bryant’s journey began with mentorship from men in his church.
• Squirrel hunting became a unique avenue for evangelism.
• Innovative men’s ministry events can lead to significant church growth.
• Building relationships through shared interests is key to outreach.
• Contextualization is essential for effective ministry.
• Intentionality in evangelism can lead to transformative conversations.
• Outdoor activities can serve as a platform for sharing the gospel.
• Discipleship requires deeper engagement beyond initial outreach.
• Investing in relationships is crucial for long-term ministry success.
• Opportunities for the gospel can arise in everyday situations.

Sound Bites

• “I killed a bunch of squirrels and we told a lot of people about Jesus.”
• “We saw about 300% growth in the first eight years.”
• “We don’t care where these guys go to church after our tournament.”
• “You’ve got to meet other men where they are.”
• “It’s that hole in the roof philosophy.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bryant Sims and His Journey 

02:59 Pastoral Ministry and Early Experiences 

05:59 Innovative Men’s Ministry: Squirrel Hunting and Evangelism 

08:59 Building Relationships Through Outdoor Activities 

11:58 The Impact of Member-Guest Events 

15:11 Squirrel Hunting: A Unique Approach to Outreach 

17:55 Gospel Conversations in the Outdoors 

21:16 Contextualization in Ministry 

24:13 Investing in Relationships and Discipleship 

28:07 The Importance of Intentionality in Evangelism 

30:49 Conclusion: Embracing Opportunities for the Gospel