With the

flick of his wrist, pro bass fisherman Glenn Chappelear

can land a cast anywhere in water or on land.

He recently

demonstrated his skill with a rod and lure at McDonough

Road Baptist Church where about 100 avid fishermen

gathered to collect some tips and, more importantly, to

hear Chappelear's inspirational message.

"I've

always enjoyed the outdoors," Chappelear admitted

while setting up for his seminar. And it was his affinity

for fishing and competition which led him to answer God's

calling to reach out and bring the Gospel to outdoorsmen.

"Glenn,

who's reaching these people? I heard him ask me,"

Chappelear said. "Where is Bubba on Sunday?"

Hunting and

fishing, of course, Chappelear realized. Two years ago,

he founded Sportsmen's Outreach, Inc. and began

crisscrossing the country, organizing fishing seminars

and speaking at wild game banquets.

Visiting

middle and high school was a natural extension of his

ministry, as Chappelear served as a youth minister for

six years at First Baptist Church of Powder Springs

before hitting the Bass Master Trail. He is a graduate of

Clemson University and Southwestern Baptist Theological

Seminary.

Chappelear

found an attentive audience at McDonough Road Baptist, as

he cast and spoke from his gleaming Ranger boat, parked

in front of the church. Novice fishermen were dully

impressed when Chappelear cast a wiggly pink lure smack

into the cap held nervously by a young participant. He

dispensed handy tips to mature sportsmen who have yet to

reel in the really "big one."

Following

the fried fish dinner, Chappelear moved on from the funny

anecdotes and clever jokes and got serious with his

audience. He often talks about his relationship with his

father, who is now 72. Chappelear recalled the times when

he was a youngster that his father would take him fishing

in his boat or out hunting.

"Now

the roles have changed," he said, explaining how age

causes a gradual role reversal. "Dad now fishes from

my boat." Chappelear is now 38.

The

importance of family time is emphasized by example in

Chappelear's life. He and his wife Donna have two young

children and are expecting a third next month. She

travels with her husband as much as possible. "We

definitely try to attend all the tournaments; besides,

we're Glenn's biggest fans!" Donna said.

Competition

season is over for Chappelear until September when he

starts fishing the northern lakes in places like New

York. The tour travels south with competition in Florida

in the cold months and more fishing moving into the

Carolinas and Georgia in the spring.

Chappelear

turned pro in 1997, after years of fishing in charity

tournaments. His involvement in a bass club and a strong

competitive streak, spurred him on to the next level of

fishing and a spot on the Bass Master Trail and Forest L.

Wood Tour. He is ranked among the top 100 Bass Master

fishermen.

His

sponsors include Ranger Boats, Jerry Brown Chevrolet,

Mercury Motors, Motor Guide Trolling Motors, J and K

Custom Rods, Gambler Worms, Gamakatsu Hooks, GNB

Batteries, the North American Mission Board, Lowrance

Electronics, US Food Service, Strike King Lures and Tom's

Sporting Goods and Marine.

The money

won in fishing is much less than in other sports like

golf, for instance. Chappelear said top prize might be

$40,000 in any one tourney. The winner is usually

selected based on cumulative weight of fish caught over a

three to four day period.

Conducting

fishing seminars and sharing his faith is another day's

work for Chappelear. He is also a Mission Service Corps

Volunteer for the North American Mission Board. A just

released video entitled "Awesome Bass"

showcases Chappelear's easygoing style and professional

skill on the water. It is available at Wal-Mart.

The

Chappelears make their home in Dallas, GA. For more

information about Sportsmen's Outreach, Inc. phone

770-443-3950.