God’s Aim: A Testimony Of Love, Faith And Nature

Ava Moore killed her first deer in Troup County while hunting her with father at a 30-30 Ministries’ Deer Camp.

I feel compelled to share my testimony of a transformative weekend that unfolded last season in the heart of Troup County with 30-30 Ministries and hosted by Shayne Goddard with the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes. It was an experience that not only strengthened the bond between a father and his daughter but also illuminated the beauty of God’s love and the profound impact of His aim in our lives

Our journey began months earlier when I encountered the 30-30 Ministries booth at the GON Outdoor Blast. Although it is easy to be overwhelmed by all the great deals and opportunities at the event, I was specifically looking for a Georgia-based hunting opportunity for my daughter. Since I was a child, the outdoors has been the place for me where the whispers of the wind and the rustling of leaves speak to the Creator’s magnificent handiwork. At the age of 11, I wanted my daughter, Ava, to find her place in nature, as well. However, my prior attempts to guide her to her first successful deer hunt were mostly driven by my own selfish desires, my pride in wanting her to succeed.

We applied online for the November 2023 Troup County deer hunt and was ultimately selected. Even though she was eager for an opportunity to harvest her first deer, I was more excited to spend some father-daughter time with my oldest child. With a wife, three daughters, a dog, a cat, chickens and a large garden at home that needed tending, we both wanted some time to get away and re-connect.

When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the 30-30 Ministries’ staff and met the other families that were participating in the weekend hunt. Our first night was a wonderful evening of worship and delicious food. As my daughter and I settled into the comfort of our cabin, surrounded by the serenity of the woods, I felt compelled to share my own life experiences, particularly the moment when Christ entered my life during my teenage years. I spoke of the challenges, the triumphs and the unwavering love of our Savior. It was during these intimate conversations that my daughter, too, felt the stirring of the Holy Spirit in her heart and on her own volition, chose to accept Christ into her life.

It was at this juncture, amidst the trials and challenges of this hunt, that God gently reminded me of the true purpose of this trip. It wasn’t about the successful harvest of a deer; it was about glorifying the Lord in all we do.

There are times in life when a daddy just needs to spend some time with his daughter. A weekend deer hunt certainly checks the box.

That next morning, armed with her .243 rifle and guided by God’s aim, my daughter ventured into the woods and into an elevated box stand, the anticipation of the hunt heightened by a deep sense of purpose. As we waited in the stillness of the wilderness, the Bible verses we had shared earlier echoed in our hearts, reinforcing the connection between the beauty of nature and the divine.

When the moment finally arrived, her aim was unwavering. A single shot echoed through the woods, and her first deer fell, a graceful acknowledgment to the harmony between skill and divine guidance. The feeling of His presence was palpable, a reminder that even in the pursuit of game, we are supported by a strength and inner peace beyond our own.

I embarked on the journey of parenthood, not just to teach my daughter the skills needed to harvest her first deer but to instill in her a steady aim guided by the love and purpose God has for each of us.

This gentle reminder came through the providence of 30-30 Ministries. The fellowship, devotionals and shared moments with other families created an atmosphere saturated with the love of Christ. It was a weekend where the beauty of creation mirrored the divine connection we share as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) echoed in my heart: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Witnessing my daughter’s skill, faith and contribution to the processing of the deer, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in the woman of God she was becoming. I haven’t cried in many years, but I shed tears of joy that weekend.

In the beauty of that hunting camp, where the echoes of the shot lingered, faith and family converged, creating a memory etched in our hearts forever. It was more than a successful harvest; it was the intertwining of faith, good aim and the pride of a father witnessing his daughter embrace both the challenges and joys of life in the great outdoors.

May this story inspire others to seek the divine in the ordinary and to find God’s aim in their own lives.

The full photo album from Ava’s hunting experience can be viewed at 30-30 Ministries.org.