A Band of Brothers Praying for the Wollbrinks!

Praying for you guys !!

Learning From the Best

A Doe Hunt Last December

What is it like to hunt and fish with Mike Roux on a regular basis?  I have had this unique privilege for nearly ten years.   I became Mike's pastor at that time; before that I had done little fishing or hunting. Mike turned this city-slicker from Ohio into a crazed hunting and fishing junkie in no time. I have, to Mike's credit, taken three world-class turkeys, several trophy bass, countless does, and a half dozen bucks. My largest buck taken to date was this archery season.  I have learned so much from Mike. Time and time again, he has modeled how to be successful at his sport. I want to share four things about Mike that you will find useful in gaining success.

1.  Mike thoroughly enjoys what he does.

I never ceased to be amazed by Mike’s passion and excitement for hunting and fishing. In a recent conversation about our Illinois deer hunting prospects, he said “I am so excited about the potential on this farm. We have captured twelve different bucks on our trail cams. We are going to have so much fun!” Now, you have to put this in perspective. Mike has been hunting for over forty years. I do not know many people who have been doing something for forty years and still get this excited. As Mike explains our next adventure together, his voice accelerates with excitement when he lays out the details of the hunting or fishing trip. I am not sure which he likes most… my hunch all of it!

2.  Mike puts the time in by showing up.

Mike taught me very quickly that showing up is 90% of success. He consistently can be found in the field or on the water when in-season. Few people spend more time outdoors than Mike. He says regularly of the wildlife, “They are everywhere more than anywhere else.” In other words, the wildlife live in the wild….everywhere.  Most people miss out on that elusive trophy simply because they don’t spend enough time in the field.

3.  Mike pays attention to the details.

No matter what you set out to do, you must have a program. Mike has one of the most elaborate hunting and fishing programs anywhere.  Not only does he have an overall program but sub-programs for archery, shotgun, rifle, and muzzle loader deer seasons. He has a turkey program, a waterfowl program, a small game program, and an entire fishing program. These methods didn't happen for Mike in a week, but rather, they have been formed over a lifetime. Mike is meticulous about putting into place techniques to reduce human error in the field. He is constantly "on me" about my program and instructing me in how to improve in order to be successful.

4.  Mike is not afraid to try something new.

Most people get stuck in their ways. People who are successful tend to be even more stuck in their ways. You have heard the saying, “Don’t mess with success.” But Mike understands the importance of adapting in order to remain successful. I am constantly amazed with the changes Mike makes with his tactics, program, and equipment.  Regularly, I get statements from Mike like, “I have to show you my new so-and-so,” or, “I changed up my entire program. You gotta see my such-and-such.”

It's no accident that Mike's wisdom finds its way into outdoor publications. He is a true professional. I have learned much from him and will continue to do so. Here is Mike's website: http://mikeroux.com/.

If you want to be excellent at something, find people who do it the best and follow them! 

8 Days Later

November 21st, 2014

With my friend John Caldwell

Where Slow is Fast - An Upside Down Christmas

Thanks, Stephen Cullo for the pictures!

An Upside Down Tree

Hannah's First Time Out

Bow Hunting 

Snow on the Ground

Our Date at Memorial Stadium

Madison and I 

Final Score 16-14 Illinois over Penn.St. 

Thursday, November 13th

10 Pointer with half the tines broken - He was a fighter!

Taken with a bow in the bottoms

Project Yucatan for Christ

It's amazing to see how God's people respond when prompted by the Holy Spirit and presented with a need! In one night, more than $1,500 was raised for Project Yucatan for Christ, a ministry of Global Faith Mission Agency.

Project Yucatan distributes Bible literature to the people of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. For a donation of $30, an entire case of 300 copies of The Gospel of John can be put in the hands of people who need to read of the saving love of Jesus Christ in their own language.

Roy Seals

Roy Seals, director of Global Faith Mission Agency, serves as coordinator for Project Yucatan. Roy and his wife, Edi, have been involved with international mission work almost all their lives. They both grew up on the mission field. Roy and Edi began their missionary career in 1979, and served overseas for many years. Roy has been the Director of Global Faith since it was established in 2004.

If you would like more information about Project Yucatan, visit the GFMA website, globalfaithmission.org, and choose Project Yucatan for Christ under "Global Faith Projects."

Preview Service

Take a minute to look at these pictures and then thank the Lord for the successful preview service at Cieneguilla, Peru. You can also visit www.heart4peru.com for more information.

Train Up !

Photos by Stephen Cullo

It appears that now as we are at the tail end of raising our children, people are starting to ask us parenting questions. (Parents like to see how your kids turned out before they seek your advice.) Lisa and I have had an amazing experience as parents and have loved each and every stage of our four children's development.... no lie. We have been blessed to raise four children that love each other very much. I am blessed to watch them consistently express love toward one another with words, time, and affection.

We recently had a parent-child dedication at Columbus Road. This was a time for our church to remember the vital role parents and churches play in the development of our children. The parents covenant to provide a home in which Christ is the center and the church family covenants to support the family unit through prayer and Godly living. Our church family is so dialed in to the intentional discipleship of our youth that these moments of covenant are the gateway into that process.

I was recently asked by a parent how I would handle a situation with his child if I were him. I carefully and slowly responded. Parenting requires wisdom from God...and looking at each situation from a broader perspective. Each child is different and there are no cookie-cutter answers. Training is key to parenting. Oftentimes conversation is what is needed more than anything. So, I expressed to the parent that his child was much like him and suggested that he look at the situation through the eyes of his own childhood. Behaviors and responses often modeled by the parent unknowingly. This proved to be the gateway into resolution to the situation. The Bible states in Proverbs 22 :6,

"Train up a child in the way he should go, 

Even when he is old he will not depart from it."

I want to thank Stephen Cullo for supplying the pictures for this event, as well as the majority of blog posts I have written over the past couple years. You are the best!!!

Not When You are Leaving or Dead!

Humbling 

This last Sunday was a very special day for me and my family. Our church family provided a ten-year anniversary celebration for our time in Quincy. We were blessed with kind words, gifts, food, and an all-expense paid vacation. We were so encouraged as a family, and to share the day with the people at Columbus Road made it all the better.

It is very humbling to be given a tribute for years of service. We had so many people come up to us and say, "I have never been a part of something like this. Usually we wait to honor a person until he is dead or is leaving." It is a valuable lesson for us all. We should always say what needs to be said without waiting until it is too late.

My Ladies

Our time at Columbus Road has been amazing! It has been a total team effort to grow this church into health. The lay leaders did a fantastic job leading this special service. Each one of their speeches was insightful and biblical. It proves to me that spending time in God's Word and with other fellow believers adds so much value to our time on the planet.

Amazing!

Do not take for granted the good things in life. It is important to be content with who you are and with where God has placed you. Too many people spend their lives wishing to be someplace else or with someone else. I am very thankful to be serving alongside THESE people in THIS place!