The Rev. Alex Holman of Paden, who serves as national director of Handicapped People’s Events, will speak at 6 p.m. Sunday at North Rock Creek Indian Assembly of God, northeast of Shawnee.
Holman, 22, is a newly credentialed minister of his church. He travels extensively to speak at functions sponsored by the international organization headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. The group accepts only physically handicapped people on its rolls and has a membership of 63,000 people worldwide. It cannot serve the mentally handicapped because of strict hunting rules related to the handling of firearms. However, Holman models the fact that many with severe physical handicaps can diversify their restricted lifestyles by learning to hunt wild game. He relates his interest in hunting to several Bible characters who were cunning hunters of their time, including Nimrod, Esau, Samson and David.
Holman shot his first deer when he was 7 years old. Since then, he has bagged seven more deer, two elk, 13 wild boars, two wild rams, a turkey and, most recently, a buffalo. He has captured most of his game at The Chain Ranch in Canton, western Oklahoma. He also has hunted and ministered at disabled hunters’ events sponsored by the organization in Texas, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan and other places.
None of the edible meat garnered from his hunting expeditions is wasted. It is shared with family and friends or donated to those in need. Holman recently contributed several pounds of venison and buffalo meat to North Rock Creek Assembly to serve at one of its functions.
Stricken with cerebral palsy at birth, Holman walks with the help of canes or uses a wheelchair. His father, Kendall Holman, along with other family members and friends, take him to such events.
“My dad also cooks for crowds of as many as 250 who gather to learn both how to hunt and to live the Christian life,” Holman said.
As an inspirational speaker, Holman said he encourages people to consider accepting Christ as Savior. He estimates that at least 450 people have made their first decision or renewed their commitment to follow God in these meetings.
Using his ability to memorize scripture, Holman has completed 36 Bible study courses offered by the Berean School of the Bible from Global University in Springfield, Mo. After taking three religion courses at Seminole State College, Holman began studying theology by correspondence at the credentials level in 2005. Completing this first series of courses, he studied for his minister’s license test, passing it with honors in 2006. He recently completed his final work with Berean and will receive his ordination certificate with the Oklahoma District Council of the Assemblies of God in 2009.
Holman said he will share his testimony at any church. He said he considers living with cerebral palsy a chance to prove that “regardless of handicap, people do not need to wallow in self-pity but can find ways to serve God in some capacity. I’m grateful that the Lord has turned my interesting pastime of hunting wild game into ministerial and witnessing opportunities,” he said.
Holman is associate minister of prayer at First Assembly of God in Prague, where Kevin Wehrli is senior pastor.
North Rock Creek Assembly of God is one mile north of Shawnee and a half-mile east on Garrett’s Lake Road on Butler Drive. Don Ramsey of Seminole serves the mission as pastor and invites the public to hear Holman’s presentation.
|
|
|
The Rev. Alex Holman of Paden, who serves as national director of Handicapped People’s Events, will speak at 6 p.m. Sunday at North Rock Creek Indian Assembly of God, northeast of Shawnee.
Holman, 22, is a newly credentialed minister of his church. He travels extensively to speak at functions sponsored by the international organization headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. The group accepts only physically handicapped people on its rolls and has a membership of 63,000 people worldwide. It cannot serve the mentally handicapped because of strict hunting rules related to the handling of firearms. However, Holman models the fact that many with severe physical handicaps can diversify their restricted lifestyles by learning to hunt wild game. He relates his interest in hunting to several Bible characters who were cunning hunters of their time, including Nimrod, Esau, Samson and David.
Holman shot his first deer when he was 7 years old. Since then, he has bagged seven more deer, two elk, 13 wild boars, two wild rams, a turkey and, most recently, a buffalo. He has captured most of his game at The Chain Ranch in Canton, western Oklahoma. He also has hunted and ministered at disabled hunters’ events sponsored by the organization in Texas, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan and other places.
None of the edible meat garnered from his hunting expeditions is wasted. It is shared with family and friends or donated to those in need. Holman recently contributed several pounds of venison and buffalo meat to North Rock Creek Assembly to serve at one of its functions.
Stricken with cerebral palsy at birth, Holman walks with the help of canes or uses a wheelchair. His father, Kendall Holman, along with other family members and friends, take him to such events.
“My dad also cooks for crowds of as many as 250 who gather to learn both how to hunt and to live the Christian life,” Holman said.
As an inspirational speaker, Holman said he encourages people to consider accepting Christ as Savior. He estimates that at least 450 people have made their first decision or renewed their commitment to follow God in these meetings.
Using his ability to memorize scripture, Holman has completed 36 Bible study courses offered by the Berean School of the Bible from Global University in Springfield, Mo. After taking three religion courses at Seminole State College, Holman began studying theology by correspondence at the credentials level in 2005. Completing this first series of courses, he studied for his minister’s license test, passing it with honors in 2006. He recently completed his final work with Berean and will receive his ordination certificate with the Oklahoma District Council of the Assemblies of God in 2009.
Holman said he will share his testimony at any church. He said he considers living with cerebral palsy a chance to prove that “regardless of handicap, people do not need to wallow in self-pity but can find ways to serve God in some capacity. I’m grateful that the Lord has turned my interesting pastime of hunting wild game into ministerial and witnessing opportunities,” he said.
Holman is associate minister of prayer at First Assembly of God in Prague, where Kevin Wehrli is senior pastor.
North Rock Creek Assembly of God is one mile north of Shawnee and a half-mile east on Garrett’s Lake Road on Butler Drive. Don Ramsey of Seminole serves the mission as pastor and invites the public to hear Holman’s presentation.
