CADIZ—The senior adults of Locust Grove Baptist Church in Cadiz aren’t going to let the youth have all the fun. They have joined in on the excitement that Centershot, an outreach program that shares the gospel through archery by partnering with churches, has to offer by starting their own Centershot Bible study, specifically geared toward retired senior adults.

Led by Tim Smith, pastor of Locust Grove, the group of 60- to 70-year-olds, met for six weeks for a time of fellowship and fun and to study the Bible together. Smith led the 10 senior adults through “I am a Church Member” by Thom Rainer.

The program was a success, Smith said, and they plan to repeat it in the fall — this time bringing in more participants from the community.

Locust Grove’s Centershot ended with a commencement celebration, in which the senior adults participated alongside the youth.

“It was pretty neat to get out there and participate against the youth. Of course, they beat us,” Bob Brame, member of Locust Grove and participant in Centershot said.

Brame thoroughly enjoyed the program, not only for the archery, but more for the fellowship.

“It was fun shooting the arrows, but it was getting together, the camaraderie, the ability to have a Bible study in the middle of the day in a small church like ours. It just worked really well,” Brame said.

In fact, some participants decided not to shoot, but they kept coming for the Bible study and to watch the others.

Smith said that most of the participants had no prior experience with archery, but were interested because Trigg County schools have a large archery presence. Many of their grandchildren are involved in the sport.

“The grandparents usually go watch the kids; now they can participate,” Smith commented.

Another goal of the senior adult program is to train more leaders to help with the children’s and youth’s Centershot programs, as it grows.

And it’s just a fun program, Smith added. “The thing is, senior adults, they’re hard to control. That’s what was so fun about it,” he laughed.

“As a range master, I just blow the whistle and sit back and let them go. They’re old enough now they can just do what they want to do,” he added. “We had so much fun. It was hilarious.” (WR)