Open Doors for the Open in Pinehurst, NC in June 2014 part of building the foundation for similar future venues
....I have been trying to determine my right role and my right actions.
What does that mean and where does Open Doors for the Open fit into that?
I believe I have been called to help evangelize the world of golf as well as grow the game of golf. What? Yeah, that is what I have believed has been my calling and it has been some 20+ years in the offing. It started in 1981 when I decided to believe that Jesus was who God said he was in the Bible. It continued when the Lord allowed me to participate in The Players Outreach Ministry, with Bobby Clampett and the PGA Tour Bible Study from 1993 - 1997 (read Bobby's testimony here). It languished, but continued to infiltrate my thinking through 2010 and began to take a different shape in 2011 through the middle of 2013. Now it has become clearer on how this mission will be accomplished; through Open Doors for the Open in Pinehurst, June of 2014 and through the platform of www.opendoorsfortheopen.com.
You may not be aware that there are various organizations that represent and are working to introduce golfers throughout the world to the fact that Jesus Christ is real and reigns as King of the Universe. I know that sounds a bit scary if you're not a follower of Christ, but, I hope you can learn to trust me that; HE is!!
Many organizations and individuals who believe this have been active in golf for a long time. I only know of the Tour Bible Study and it's beginnings in the 1970's I believe. I know of FCA Golf which began shortly after that. I know of College Golf Fellowship (CGF) that began with Rik Massengale, I believe, and I know of Athletes in Action, Sports Spectrum and many other ministries that have impacted individuals who love golf and have been seeking out God.
But, I also know of the many, many golf pros that, individually, have a call on their lives relative to their belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior and His inspiration on their lives. You can see a listing of these folks on the Links Players Website and I happen to have personal stories about Tom Lehman, Wally Armstrong, Bernhard Langer, Bobby Clampett, Larry Mize, Gary Hallberg, Paul Azinger and a few others. There has been a move of God on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Web.com Tour, Hooters Tour and so many other Tours that I'm not able to write all of them down. I have run into golf pros at daily fee courses and resorts as well as private clubs that know Christ and are itching to combine their love of God with their passion, and calling, as golf professionals. And now we have open doors for the open as an environment to grow this effort.
One story that has kept me going during the last couple of years has been regarding a golf pro who I am not able to name, but, during a time in which I was attempting to plan and conduct a Christian Golf Tournament here in Nashville (possibly more on that later), I was explaining the concept to this pro and his director of golf. They both saw the financial reward to the facility and the company, but, the pro pulled me to the side after the discussion and said words similar to this; "Bill, I have been a follower of Jesus Christ for 30 plus years and, quite honestly, I have not been able to figure out how to integrate my faith with my profession. Today, you helped me do that." Now that's pretty cool!!!! Praise Him.
We are embarking on a path to edify God and introduce Him and the work of His Son into the world of golf now and into the future.
Will you join us at Open Doors for the Open?
What can you do?
1. Contact me by email, [email protected]
2. Pray for the Lord to show you your part.
3. Pay attention to God's leading in your life relative to golf and Him
4. Pass the word around about this blog and the Open Doors for the Open outreach.
5. Get involved in your local church and area; "growing in the knowledge of God".
Thanks for reading
....I have been trying to determine my right role and my right actions.
What does that mean and where does Open Doors for the Open fit into that?
I believe I have been called to help evangelize the world of golf as well as grow the game of golf. What? Yeah, that is what I have believed has been my calling and it has been some 20+ years in the offing. It started in 1981 when I decided to believe that Jesus was who God said he was in the Bible. It continued when the Lord allowed me to participate in The Players Outreach Ministry, with Bobby Clampett and the PGA Tour Bible Study from 1993 - 1997 (read Bobby's testimony here). It languished, but continued to infiltrate my thinking through 2010 and began to take a different shape in 2011 through the middle of 2013. Now it has become clearer on how this mission will be accomplished; through Open Doors for the Open in Pinehurst, June of 2014 and through the platform of www.opendoorsfortheopen.com.
You may not be aware that there are various organizations that represent and are working to introduce golfers throughout the world to the fact that Jesus Christ is real and reigns as King of the Universe. I know that sounds a bit scary if you're not a follower of Christ, but, I hope you can learn to trust me that; HE is!!
Many organizations and individuals who believe this have been active in golf for a long time. I only know of the Tour Bible Study and it's beginnings in the 1970's I believe. I know of FCA Golf which began shortly after that. I know of College Golf Fellowship (CGF) that began with Rik Massengale, I believe, and I know of Athletes in Action, Sports Spectrum and many other ministries that have impacted individuals who love golf and have been seeking out God.
But, I also know of the many, many golf pros that, individually, have a call on their lives relative to their belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior and His inspiration on their lives. You can see a listing of these folks on the Links Players Website and I happen to have personal stories about Tom Lehman, Wally Armstrong, Bernhard Langer, Bobby Clampett, Larry Mize, Gary Hallberg, Paul Azinger and a few others. There has been a move of God on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Web.com Tour, Hooters Tour and so many other Tours that I'm not able to write all of them down. I have run into golf pros at daily fee courses and resorts as well as private clubs that know Christ and are itching to combine their love of God with their passion, and calling, as golf professionals. And now we have open doors for the open as an environment to grow this effort.
One story that has kept me going during the last couple of years has been regarding a golf pro who I am not able to name, but, during a time in which I was attempting to plan and conduct a Christian Golf Tournament here in Nashville (possibly more on that later), I was explaining the concept to this pro and his director of golf. They both saw the financial reward to the facility and the company, but, the pro pulled me to the side after the discussion and said words similar to this; "Bill, I have been a follower of Jesus Christ for 30 plus years and, quite honestly, I have not been able to figure out how to integrate my faith with my profession. Today, you helped me do that." Now that's pretty cool!!!! Praise Him.
We are embarking on a path to edify God and introduce Him and the work of His Son into the world of golf now and into the future.
Will you join us at Open Doors for the Open?
What can you do?
1. Contact me by email, [email protected]
2. Pray for the Lord to show you your part.
3. Pay attention to God's leading in your life relative to golf and Him
4. Pass the word around about this blog and the Open Doors for the Open outreach.
5. Get involved in your local church and area; "growing in the knowledge of God".
Thanks for reading
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