A brief historyof FOCAS

FOCAS was founded in 1983 by a handful of Christian
fishermen who desired to worship and serve as
disciples of Christ. Among this group was Jimmy Houston,
Chris Houston, Hank Parker, Homer Circle, Al Lindner,
Ray Scott and others. They wanted the ministry to serve
as a bond between all fishermen. A ministry that would use
the sport of fishing as a tool to make sportfishermen into
"...fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19)

 

 

 

 

Since that beginning, FOCAS has grown to a membership
of over 2500 with 40 chapters nationwide.
The board of directors includes Jimmy Houston... ESPN tv host.
Joe Hall... president of Blakemore Lures.
Elle Shimer... NATCOM advertising manager.
Cary Summers... pr director for Silver Dollar City.
Rocky Marshall...president of NSI, and Kathy Taylor... T's Lures founder.
A great management team!

 
 

 

The early vision of the charter members was to use the
sport of fishing as common ground to witness to the
unchurched and strengthen the Christian walk and
witness of the churched. To maintain and communicate
this vision, the mission statement of FOCAS was adopted;
"Teaching kids and parents to fish emphasizing Christian values."
Homer Circle, fishing editor of Sports Afield magazine,
developed the name,
Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society,and coined the acronymFOCAS.

Headquarters were first established in Alabama then
were moved to Oklahoma, then to California, and to Ohio,
returning to Oklahoma in late 1994 with Ken Conlee
as the newly elected national president. Since this time,
Ken Conlee has retired as president and taken a position on the board of directors.
In March of 2003 the National office of FOCAS moved to Arkansas.
Jackie James was elected as National President of FOCAS and took office on March 3th of 2003.
There has also been some additions to the national staff to better serve FOCAS Ministries.
The national staff members are, Jackie James national president,
Betty-Ann Symonds News Director & Administration assistant,
Richard Irvin Membership & Chapter director,
Ted Cantor Web Master and Troy Cox as Special Event Director.
The Board of Directors for FOCAS Ministries include Ken Conlee, Jimmy Houston,
Joe Hall, Elle Shimer and Rocky Marshall

Chapters and individuals affiliated with our ministry have
performed various outreach programs which include:

Evangelistic services and fellowships at various fishing tournaments. 

Grass Roots ministering and evangelism at boat and outdoor shows. 

Local area pastor's fishing days. 

Outreach at children's rodeos, clinics and kid's fishing days. 

Family conferences and retreats in the western region. 

Educational fishing programs for churches and schools. 

FOCAS sponsored fishing tournaments.   
 

In taking a close look at what we feel the Lord's purpose
for FOCAS is; we have concluded that we must involve as
many people as possible if we are to be effective. Thus, an
integral part of FOCAS is the various chapters that have
been birthed in different parts of the country. The chapter
format provides an environment for Christian fellowship that
is mutually strengthening for individuals participating.
It creates a non-threatening environment conducive to both
discipleship and evangelism.

FOCAS and its various chapters provide a ministry platform
for individuals wanting to serve the Lord who might not
otherwise have one. FOCAS itself is a realization of unity
within the body of Christ as we demonstrate teamwork
in presenting the gospel. We are made up of evangelical
Christians from many denominations banding together
to tell others of our Saviour and Lord,
Jesus Christ

All of these are the product of teamwork as an effort
to do the Lord's calling. Fellowship becomes a motivator
and a means to accomplish the Lord's work. It is an example
of what the bible teaches in 1 Cor. 12:12 - 27, that we are
one body made up of many different parts with many
different functions. In a true team effort, personal
identities take back seat to a common goal. We pray that
FOCAS will be the platform or catalyst you can use to share
with others or come to know more about
our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Convictions:
To introduce men, women, and children to God's Plan for
Mankind; that they might come into a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
To see today's fisherman being used to minister and spread
the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit directs.
To serve, encourage, and unite members under a common
vision, using fishing as a tool to accomplish that vision.
To teach men, women, and children fishing skills that will
strengthen the family and further
fellowship and unity among Christians.

To become "...fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19)
To teach children and parents to fish emphasizing Christian values. (Proverbs 22:6)
To further teamwork, fellowship and unity among Christians. (1 Cor. 12:12 - 26)
To be positive role models serving all with the "...LOVE OF GOD" (1 Cor. 13:1 - 13)
To be good stewards of God's creation.(Psalms 24:1 - 2)

Our statement of faith
We believe
that there is one eternal God, existing in three
persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe
the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative
Word of God.

We believe
in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His
virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His
atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily
resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the
Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

We believe
that for the salvation of lost and sinful men,
acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and
regeneration by the Holy Spirit are absolutely essential.

We believe
in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by
Whose in-dwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life.

We believe
in the resurrection of both the saved and the
lost; either they are saved unto the resurrection of life or
they are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe
in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ

We believe
that God ordained the family as the basic unit of our society and
that through the spiritual church family
we can actively demonstrate the love of God to one another.

This doctrinal statement is the basic spiritual foundation
for this corporation, and the same shall not be amended
or deleted, except by vote or written consent of the
board of directors of FOCAS, Inc.

Won't you join us in using
"Fishing as our mission in sharing God's vision?"
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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
The Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society was form in 1983 by Jimmy    Houston, Chris Houston, Al Linder, Homer Circle, Ray Scott and a handful of professional tournament fishermen who wanted to form a ministry that would serve as a bond between fishermen everywhere. A ministry that would use the sport of fishing as a tool to make sport fishermen, fishers of men.... The center point of any organization is the fulfillment of its mission.  To maintain the vision,  FOCAS adopted the following mission statement.Teaching kids and parents to fish, emphasizing Christian values.With this vision,  FOCAS has developed a national image of being an organization that functions principally around the theme of A teaching@. Using fishing tournaments as fund raisers, the chapter and even small groups of FOCAS members conduct A teaching@ events for children, adults, pastors, campers and church groups.
Join Now!

Please complete the membership form and mail with check for 10.00
to:

 
FOCAS
P.O. Box 375
JONESBORO, AR.  72403