Fishing With Friends: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Options

[CODave View Member Profile]

Fishing with Friends…
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
By David Lingner

A Down Syndrome man proudly holds up a blue gill, with a mile wide grin… you’d think he had a 6-lb. bass on. A man with palsy goes on his first fishing outing since he was a boy fishing with his dad, whom had just passed away a few months before. He says it was a turning point in healing after the loss.

These are a couple examples of why Doug Goddard and Fishing with Friends ministry do what they do; offer those with physical and mental disabilities an unforgettable experience in God’s great outdoors. Fishing with Friends is an outdoor outreach of Joni Eareckson Tada’s, Joni and Friends ministry. Doug, who heads up the ministry, himself is a quadriplegic, resulting from a diving accident similar to that, which happened to Joni. Doug is quick to tell you that he doesn’t know if he would have it any other way… as it drove him to search out meaning in life, and that is where he found the Lord.

Doug’s boat is equipped with special gear to secure he and his wheelchair to the fishing deck. He likes to joke that he, “Looks like a refrigerator” strapped to the boat. People think he is a little crazy to be out there on the deck like that… but he said he feels secure. Sometimes you just gotta have faith in order to experience the best things in life.

Fishing and Friends has a team of fishermen who take individuals and small groups out on these once in a lifetime experiences. Currently, the ministry operates primarily in the south and southeast, but desires to expand to all states as the Lord leads. When asked what it takes to become a team member, Doug replied, “The desire to share the love of Christ with those who have mental and physical disabilities… oh… and a boat!” Fishing with Friends team members also represent the ministry at fishing tournaments and try to work the outing experiences around those events when the opportunity arises.

Do you know someone who might be able to be blessed through this ministry? Would you like to explore the possibility of joining the team, or supporting the ministry in some way? Contact Doug Goddard today at 214.336.1188.

The next time you’re out on the water, and you see what appears to be a refrigerator strapped to the front of a boat, take a closer look… it just may be Doug Goddard and Fishing with Friends Ministry.

David Lingner is president of Christian Outdoorsman. You can reach David at dlingner@ChristianOutdoorsman.com

[Greg View Member Profile]

Sounds like a wonderful ministry! It's awesome to see how the Lord works through people to reach out to others with the love and compassion of Christ. I'm familiar with Joni. I hear her often on the radio. I really like this forum idea, Dave. I believe that God will definitely use it for His glory.