Up to 1,200 people attended last year, and that was despite a major storm that dumped a foot of snow on the area, says youth pastor Steve Cornelius, who is in charge of the event on Wednesday night. People travel from a distance of as much as an hour’s drive away, he noted.
The evening features mounts of deer by area hunters, seminars and special speakers. “We usually have about 100 or so mounts,” Cornelius says. “Who doesn’t want to show off a trophy whitetail?”
Cornelius says his wife doesn’t want his mounts in their house. “The idea of a deer head hanging in our house doesn’t appeal to her,” he says, so he keeps one in his office at the church.
The organizing committee calls regional hunters to display their mounts. Given the close nature of the hunting community, “We usually hear when a deer has been shot,” Cornelius says.
The unspoken goal is for half the mounts to be fresh, and few mounts are shown for more than two years, Cornelius says. Large trophies may be displayed an additional year. To see additional photos from last year’s event, please see Hunting Expo 2005.
Attendees also learn from speakers. One of the nation’s leading bow hunters, Steve Bartylla, spoke last year and was so impressed that he promised to return in 2007. He already was booked or would have appeared this year, Cornelius says.
The event is free. “It’s not about money, it’s about relationships,” Cornelius says. He believes the evening is good for the whole family. “I have an eight-year-old that is so pumped.”
The food also is free – in the past, people from the church have brought food from home to serve. Logistics have led the church to serve sloppy joes and hot dogs this year, although church members will bring dessert, Cornelius says.
The church budgets $500 for the event, but attendees often donate money. Local businesses also pitch in.
The Expo is designed to bring neighbors together and be introduced to the church of 500 people. “We really view this as a bridge-building event,” Cornelius says.
Although no overt evangelism takes place, at least one person has come to faith in Christ as the result of relationship building. The Expo was the man’s exposure to the church, to which he turned when difficult times struck. “He’s one of the lead guys helping with the Expo,” Cornelius says.
To learn more about the event, contact Cornelius at the church at 715-364-2738 or visit the church’s website at Mission Covenant.
