Hunting Season
Insights for Living From a Seasoned Hunter
Merging his passion for Christ and love for hunting, Maury DeYoung
provides insights in how God's story is written into every good hunting story.
ABOUT US
Pastor Maury DeYoung
Executive Director
Combining a passion for the outdoors and a calling to ministry, Pastor Maury DeYoung is inspiring people all over the world to connect with people in creative ways.
As a life long avid outdoorsmen, Maury has connected with numerous outdoors people and has a passion for creating relationships with people while being intentional about sharing his faith. Whether in a fishing boat, walking through the woods, or with a group of men at a camp fire, Maury doesn't just experience God's creation, he helps others to know the Creator of it.
Having attended Fuller Theological Seminary and completing a Masters in Divinity (MDiv) from Calvin Seminary, Maury has spent more than 30 years on staff in various churches in the Christian Reformed denominiation. He has pastored churches in Colorado, Iowa, Illinios, and Michigan as well as working missions as a church planter.
Maury started an outdoorsmens club in a church in Michigan where he was on staff. The club started out small, with just a few guys getting together to watch a video, and in the next 16 years this club reached out to over 10,000 people through monthly events and a variety of other outdoor activities. During that time Maury assisted churches in starting outdoors ministries.
He transitioned into a full time role of working with churches and now has assisted over 100 churches in starting outdoor events or a complete outdoor ministry.
He is a certified Hunter Safety instructor.
He has served on task forces and committees for the Michigan DNRE (Such as: Hunter Recruitment and Retention).
Professional Speaking
A professional speaker, Maury speaks at outdoors events across the world, leads mens retreats, and has spoken at numerous conferences and trade shows including Iron Sharpens Iron and Leave No Man Behind.
Speaking topics include
- Ministry Coaching Topics, assisting churches in starting and improving outdoors ministries for people in their church and community.
- Outdoors Event Topics, spoken at Wild Game & Fish Dinners, Outdoor retreats, and many other settings, Maury shares hunting & fishing stories and encourages the audience to experience or grow their relationship in Jesus Christ.
- Greif Seminars, Sharing personal experiences in dealing with grief having lost a child at age 16, Maury opens his heart and shares how God remains faithful in the midst of sorrow.
Author & Writer
Encouraging outdoorsmens through the written word, Maury words have been touted in numerous publications including the Detriot Free Press, Parade, The Grand Rapids Press, the Banner, and The Church Herald.
His writings are also published in the following books:
- Hunting Season, Insights for Living From a Seasoned Hunter
Author, Maury DeYoung
- Power Up! Outdoor Edition
Contributing Authors, Charles Alsheimer,Tracy Breen, Maury DeYoung, and others
- Enjoy Fishing - Enjoy Living
Author, Maury DeYoung
Family
Married for 41 years to his wife Cheryl, they have had five children – four of whom are married, the youngest who went to his home with Jesus at age 16. They have 11 grandchildren.
Meet Out Director
Power Up! Outdoor Edition
In 100 devotionals written by professional outdoorsmen Charles Alsheimer,Tracy Breen, Maury DeYoung, and others you'll find your faith and your strategy will grow. You'll read stories about hunting and fishing exploits that illustrate truths found in the Bible. An inspiring read and gift for the outdoorsman you know.
Sportspersons Ministries International exists to connect outdoors people with God, through trust in Jesus Christ. We do this by offering outdoors events with a ministry focus, aiding churches in their ministry efforts, and connecting businesses who have a desire to make a difference in the lives of outdoors people.
Our Purpose
Copyright @ 2005 - 2015 Sportspersons Ministries International All Rights Reserved
Other topics available upon request. Ministry Coaching
Assisting churches in starting and improving outdoor ministries
We can provide training for single events, on site coaching, and for developing an outdoor ministry in your community. We also assist outdoors ministries in becoming more effective in their church community.
Connecting with the Outdoorsmen
Having worked with more than 100 different outdoors ministries, Maury shares his expertise in how to get an outdoors ministry started
Maintaining a Successful Ministry
Using his 20+ years of experiences, Maury coaches leaders on maximizing successes and avoiding pitfalls to keep a ministry running smoothly
Relationship Evangelism
Maury with leaders to design ministry that meets people where they are
Outdoors Events
Maury speaks at all types outdoor of events including Wild Game & Fish Dinners, speaks at shows, and leads retreats for outdoors people.
Hunting Adventures
Sharing hunting stories and tips, Maury finds ways to challenge the audience to discover a new or better relationship with Jesus Christ.
Fishing Excursions
Sharing fishing stories and tips, Maury finds ways to challenge the audience to discover a new or better relationship with Jesus Christ.
Sharing the Outdoors with Children/Grandchildren
Providing numerous examples, Maury encourages adults to find ways to help a child experience the joy of the outdoors.
Other
Grief Seminars
Sharing his experience with loss of his 16 year old son in a car accident in 2002, Maury shares how he has learned what grief is and how God will help you walk through that experience in your life.
Speaking Topics:
Professional Speaker, Maury DeYoung
Meet Out Assistant Director
Ross Graveling
Assistant Director
Ross joined the SPI team in April of 2017 as Maury De Young began to prepare for retirement. Ross comes to SPI with a huge passion for the outdoors, reaching people with the message of Christ and ministry experience. He has served as a Youth Pastor at 2 different churches in the West Min
Family
Married for 41 years to his wife Cheryl, they have had five children – four of whom are married, the youngest who went to his home with Jesus at age 16. They have 11 grandchildren.
