Centershot combines archery, Word to teach life lessons

Article and Photos by Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – A young boy lines up his shot with tongue-protruding concentration. Steadying the bow, the child releases the string and watched as the arrow pierced a hay-filled square with a muffled thunk.  In a flourish, the boy reaches in the quiver for another arrow and an opportunity to duplicate his recent success.

            Soldiers and Families from across the installation were invited to participate in Centershot ministries, a program hosted by the 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade ministry team, Monday, July 30, which Family members of all ages used the opportunity to strengthen their faith and archery skills through life lessons taught using the word of God. 

            “Regularly reading the Bible teaches fundamentals of life,” said Maj. (Ch) Bradley Godding, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade Chaplain and ministry team leader.  “Archery puts those fundamentals into practice.”

For more than a decade, Army Families have experienced life challenges due to deployment of loved ones, as well as hectic schedules at home consisting of shuttling the kids to and fro.  Centershot provides those families the opportunity to refocus on the fundamentals and to reconnect as a unit. 

            Cpt. (Ch) David Redden, a chaplain assigned to 3^rd Cavalry Regiment, assisted in the program; leading the group in the devotional following the archery portion of the class. 

            “Families are torn in different directions,” said Redden. “We wanted to use this as an opportunity to bring them back together.”

            Developed by civilian ministry groups as a way to develop interest of more men in bible study as well as providing a positive role model for young boys and teens that may not have a male influence in their lives, Centershot focuses on the individual Soldier. 

            “While the program is used by civilians as a means to increase male attendance,” Said Sgt. Joshua Lee, a Chaplain’s Assistant with the 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade.  “Army communities that choose to use this program focus on the individual, male or female.”         

One participant, Sgt. Patrick Grill, of 3^rd Squadron, 3^rd Cavalry Regiment, along with his four children, participated in an earlier class.             “This class was a good hands on example, rather than a purist approach of just reading the Bible,” said Grill.  “The Archery lessons provided a more masculine approach to Bible study as well.”

            The program is scheduled for an additional five weeks, culminating with a day at Belton Lake to wrap up the lesson with Family, fellowship and archery. 

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Nicole Redden assists her daughter, Faith, in reading a passage from the Bible during the devotional portion of the Centershot ministry event Monday, 30 July.  The program uses Archery to help participants visualize concepts of life lessons taught by the Bible.  (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs.)

Cpt. (Ch) Patrick Cobb helps his son, Soren,6, practice a pull on a bow before moving on to arrows during the Centershot ministry Monday, July 30. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85ht Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs.)

A young participant of the Centershot ministry lets an arrow fly towards the target Monday July 30.  (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs.)

Maj.(Ch) Bradley Godding,  Chaplain, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade, demonstrates the proper release technique using a string bow during the Centershot ministry class Monday July 30.  This was the second session of the six-week program that is designed to teach life lessons of the Bible through archery. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs.)