John Smithbaker, long-time outdoor industry leader and owner of North American Gear, is the founder of Fathers in the Field, a Christian adventure ministry that unites fatherless boys (“field buddies”) with mature Christian men (“mentor fathers”) in God’s classroom, the great outdoors, to help boys learn about the liberating love of Christ and the healing that comes through the forgiveness of their earthly fathers.
“For generations, outdoor adventures, such as camping, fishing, hunting and hiking have been treasured experiences for fathers and sons – times of bonding and meaningful conversations about Creation and the Creator,” said Smithbaker who was deserted by his own father and struggled for decades before turning to Christ and discovering the healing of forgiveness.
“Millions of fatherless kids never get to experience these outings and the loss is huge. Now we have a way to give abandoned boys the Father/Son outdoor experience they are missing; and in doing so, give them true hope that comes only through the love of Christ and an adventure that can only be found in God’s great outdoors.”
Eleven-year-old Masen was abandoned by his father before birth. Early on in his Fathers in the Field journey, he was asked if he could forgive his dad for abandoning him. The boy angrily responded, “Never…never…ever!” But through the time that he spent with his “mentor dad” exploring God’s creation and the forgiveness of Christ, the boy’s heart softend. One Sunday morning, “Never…never…ever” arrived. Masen trusted in Christ and forgave his dad.
FATHERS IN THE FIELD FACT SHEET
THE NEED: Some 12 million boys are growing up fatherless in America—the majority of them carrying deep, damaging wounds of abandonment that threaten them and society.
Children from fatherless homes are:
§ A greater threat to society
· 72 percent of adolescent murders are committed by fatherless children
· 60 percent of rapists come from fatherless homes
· 67 percent of state prison inmates come from fatherless homes
· 70 percent of juveniles in reform institutions are fatherless
§ 30 percent more likely to abuse drugs and/or alcohol
§ Twice as likely to drop out of school
§ 11 times more likely to exhibit violent behavior at school
§ Dramatically more likely to commit suicide
§ More likely to engage in early sexual activity
(Source: National Center for Fathering)
THE RESPONSE: When a father abandons his child, a boy naturally says, “I’ll never forgive you!” Society says, “Forget about him! You don’t need a Dad!” God says, “Forgive him, so your Father in heaven may forgive you of your sins” (
The only way to heal the wound of abandonment is through the radical, counter-cultural truth of forgiveness—when a boy realizes he has a Father in heaven who loves and forgives him, he is empowered to forgive his earthly father and break free from the torment of abandonment.
THE MINISTRY: Founded by a man who was deserted by his own father and struggled with the wound of abandonment for decades before discovering the healing of forgiveness, Fathers in the Field is a non-profit, Christian adventure ministry that partners fatherless boys with mature Christian men who are passionate about God and His Creation.
In the majestic setting of the great outdoors—God’s classroom—the boys (“field buddies”) learn from their adult counterparts (“mentor fathers”) about the liberating love of God and the healing that comes through the forgiveness of their fathers who abandoned them.
Based in Lander, Wyo., Fathers in the Field seeks to serve abandoned boys across America.
THE JOURNEY: Combining faith, fatherhood and forgiveness with the kind of blood-pumping, outdoor fun that no videogame can match, Fathers in the Field works through local churches across America. Avid outdoorsmen in Christian congregations are empowered and equipped to reach out to fatherless boys in their communities and introduce them to the Father who will never leave or forsake them—God Himself.
Mentor fathers and their field buddies bond through the year-round Fathers in the Field journey that includes:
§ Rugged outdoor excursions
§ Community service projects that help build a boy’s self-worth
§ Deep, meaningful conversations that explore God’s love and the issue of forgiveness, and
§ An end-of-year, multi-day “Adventure Passage” involving adventurous activities like camping, hiking, fishing, boating hunting, backpacking, horse packing, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking.
THE PARTICIPANTS:
Sponsoring Local Churches: Fathers in the Field works through local churches to reach out to abandoned boys in their communities.
Field Buddies: Fatherless boys ages 7-17 can participate in Fathers in the Field.
Mentor Fathers: Christian men who love God and the great outdoors serve as mentor fathers and are asked to commit to long-term relationships with their field buddies.
Single Moms: Fathers in the Field reaches fatherless boys through single mothers who want their sons to have mature Christian male role models. The ministry is funded through sponsoring churches so there is no cost to moms.
Widows: Community service is an integral part of Fathers in the Field ministry, which identifies widows in need and gives boys an opportunity to serve them and in doing so, to gain a sense of accomplishment, helpfulness, and self -worth.
MASEN’S STORY FROM THE FIELD
Eleven-year-old Masen had never met his father, who abandoned him for a life of crime that ultimately led to prison. The wound of abandonment that Masen carried was not visible on the outside, but it gnawed at him on the inside—producing anger and resentment, and convincing him that he was not worthy of a father’s love.
In 2006, Masen, then 9-years-old, was enrolled in Fathers in the Field, a Christian adventure ministry that unites fatherless boys (“field buddies”) with mature Christian men (“mentor fathers”) in God’s classroom—the great outdoors—to help boys learn about the liberating love of God and the healing that comes through the forgiveness of their earthly fathers.
About six months into his first year, Masen was asked by his Mentor Father, Scott, if he could forgive his dad for abandoning him. Masen emphatically and angrily responded, “NEVER, NEVER, EVER.”
Over the next couple of months, as Masen and Scott spent more time exploring God’s creation and the forgiveness that He offers through His Son, Jesus Christ, the boy’s heart began to soften. Then one Sunday morning, “NEVER, NEVER, EVER” arrived. Masen excitedly told Scott that he had prayed for forgiveness from his Heavenly Father and salvation through Jesus Christ. He went on to say that he had forgiven his dad too. To say the least, Scott was blown away.
The story doesn’t end there. Within two weeks of receiving God’s forgiveness and giving his own forgiveness to his dad, Masen got a surprise letter from his father in prison who wanted to see him. Just months earlier, such news would have infuriated this hurting boy. But now, with his wound of abandonment beginning to heal, Masen welcomed the opportunity to visit his dad, tell him he forgave him, and share with him the freedom that he had found in Jesus Christ.
Today, Masen still does not have a relationship with his dad, but he knows he has a Father in heaven who loves him and will never leave or forsake him. Through his faith, his relationship with Scott, and the journey that they are on together with Fathers in the Field, Masen is growing into the young man he never imagined he could be.
