Entry 198-5

The Fisherman Minister – Glen Chappelear

Part 5: A Journey of Faith

Question: What is another problem which fishermen often ask you for advice?

Chappelear: Many fishermen face the problem of how to get sponsors. There’s really nothing written down that explains how to attract a sponsor. We all need tow vehicles, boats, lures, fishing line, rods and reels, and if a fisherman’s performance is not on par with the top-10 guys on a tournament circuit, how can he hope to get sponsors?

Question: How do you counsel with fishermen about this? What do you tell them about how to get a sponsor?

Chappelear: I struggle with this problem myself. I have to remember that God is my source of help, and I encourage fishermen to rely on His wisdom and His help to seek out the right sponsors for them. I tell them to pray and ask for God’s guidance to show them the sponsors that He wants them to speak to and ask them for help. I tell the fishermen to ask for God’s face and to pray, “God direct me to the companies and the sponsors that you want me to work with and give me favor with the potential sponsors. Also, direct me away from the sponsors you don’t want me to work with.” It’s very important that fishermen understand that, if they’re not with a sponsor, there is some reason for that, and they should try to find reasons for why they’re not with that sponsor. Not every fisherman can be a consistent bass fisherman, catching fish every time he goes fishing.

One of the things I do when I go to a show is to buy a table at that show and call up potential sponsors. I tell them I will be at the show with a booth. I ask the sponsor if they want to put some of their products in my booth for me to promote while I am in the show. I do things for sponsors before they become sponsors and help them before they even try to help me. Most fishermen go to sponsors with their hands out, trying to get the sponsors to help them. I suggest that fishermen go out and help sponsors when the sponsors aren’t doing anything for them, proving that they are not only willing to help that sponsor, but that they can help that sponsor.

Question: This last question is a tough one, but I know it happens often on the tournament trail. What do you tell a fisherman when he says, “I am going home tonight, and my wife has told me I have either got to quit fishing or she’s going to leave me”?

Chappelear: I tell him to go home, repair his marriage first, and put fishing second. Your marriage is a reflection of you, and what your priorities are. If your wife wants to leave you, then there is a communication problem. A woman’s #1 need is security. If she thinks that a fish or a sponsor is more important than she is, the marriage is out of balance. I include my wife in my business, and I suggest other fishermen do the same. Another problem I often deal with is selfishness and ego. I advise fishermen to not worry about the sponsors, the fish or the other breaks that fishermen are getting, and they aren’t. I suggest that they will catch more fish if they concentrate on their performances instead of what other fishermen are doing. To be the best fisherman that you can be, you can’t be distracted by what other fishermen are doing or not doing. I encourage fishermen to be positive instead of negative.

Question: How do you change a negative person into a positive person?

Chappelear: Becoming a positive person is a journey of faith. You can’t be too concerned about the things you can’t control. You have to decide who is going to be in control of you life. If God is in control, you will be a positive person. People choose whether they will be negative or positive. Choosing to be positive and look at the cup as half full, will produce a happier and better life; leading them to receive wisdom and become better fishermen.

Contents:

• Part 1: Sportsman’s Outreach
• Part 2: The Fisherman Preacher
• Part 3: Advising the Fishermen
• Part 4: Dealing with Self-Doubt
• Part 5: A Journey of Faith