History

While utilizing a sports ministry platform, Outdoor Connection Ministries (formerly Let's Go Fishing Ministries) has conducted hundreds of outdoor father/child conferences, youth programs, church outreach events, Christian conference center retreats, men's fellowship gatherings, sports show appearances, community outreach events, and public speaking engagements. These meetings have encouraged literally millions to explore their faith, strengthen their character, and build lifelong memories while developing new recreational interests and skills that embrace family togetherness.

Since its inception Outdoor Connection Ministries (OCM) has provided leadership that has helped individuals understand God's plan on the following topics: Developing a Christian Leisure Ethic, Balancing Life's Priorities, Strengthening America's Families, Encouraging the Disabled Population to Outdoor Activities, Applying the Biblical Principles of Discipleship, Igniting Men's Ministry Programs and Exploring Life-Style Evangelism. Hundreds of messages have been presented on the theology surrounding these concepts.

OCM has been a resource organization for churches around the world and many national ministries wishing to impact their communities with relevant messages and memory-building experiences. Currently there are over a dozen outdoor sports outreach ministries that have utilized the "best practices and resources" of OCM to enable their organizations. OCM has empowered these organizations with their prayers, resources, and counsel.

Most importantly, OCM helps individuals understand the importance of accepting the challenge issued by the Master Fisherman (Jesus) some two thousand years ago. "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). Fundamental to all that we do is DISCIPLESHIP. Without discipleship you do not have an effective model for ministry. Discipleship is a process. God's desire is to etch into our lives the imprint of His son, Jesus. He is responsible for the construction process of making us like Christ. But he needs yielded, available individuals willing to be shaped, molded and carved by his hands.

We strongly encourage participants to become involved with a local evangelical church. Our follow-up procedures assure that participants receive spiritual guidance and resources that support personal spiritual growth and connect people with evangelical churches. We work with local fellowships that will shepherd the individual and serve their families.

The recognition by churches that viable outdoor sports programs can connect with large populations of men and their families has gained popularity around the world. Sports ministries are the fastest-growing program areas in most evangelical churches. OCM has led the way in developing the conceptual blueprints that have been used to form so many of the affinity partners now involved with sports ministries.

Changing individuals and communities can only happen when churches are willing to connect with their unbelieving populations. To this end Outdoor Connection Ministries provides experienced leadership and specific program models that help the local church in its mission.

Our work with many local churches in helping them develop outdoor outreach programs has been very successful. These program models also aid people in their personal evangelism. We have had the privilege of working with several men's groups in order to help inspire and educate them as to the importance of becoming involved with their communities by becoming positive role models.

We have received numerous demands for ministry as our five books (The Ultimate Fishing Challenge - formerly Promising Waters, Heaven on Earth, In Pursuit of the Prize and The Ultimate Hunt, Crunch Time) have become best sellers and have generated many ministry requests.

The Founder and President of OCM, Rev. Jim Grassi, is a best-selling author, pastor, international speaker, pastor, and master outdoorsman. Most importantly he is a servant of God with an evangelistic heart and a desire to promote biblical family values.

For the past fifteen years OCM has had extensive experience in developing workshops and evangelistic training programs for Christian leaders in New Zealand. Further, Jim Grassi has put together a team of professionals, educators and pastors willing to adopt New Zealand as their annual missionary outreach.