For Chad and James Hampton, twin brothers from Michigan, the process of putting food on the table often begins long before their family gathers for a meal. It actually kicks off in the quiet hours spent in a tree stand, waiting for deer during hunting season.
As pastors, authors, and enthusiastic outdoorsmen, the brothers typically bring home several deer each year, stockpiling venison in their freezers to feed their families. But for them, hunting is more than just a means to provide meals. It’s deeply connected to their Christian faith.
“We know that God has provided this food for us to manage and consume, which allows us to fulfill His purpose for our lives,” Chad Hampton explained. The brothers, who founded Huntin’ the Truth Ministries and co-host the outdoor program “Twin Factor,” reference Genesis 1:26 to describe their role as stewards of nature.
“We’re entrusted with managing God’s creation,” Chad added.
This intertwining of faith, food, and nature is also present in their new book titled “100 Days of Strength for Hunters.” It serves as a devotional aimed at helping those who spend time outdoors to deepen their relationship with God.
The book merges Scripture, hunting anecdotes, practical advice, and moments for prayer, and it’s designed to be portable enough for hunters to take along on outings.
The Hamptons’ perspective aligns with a broader conversation happening across the nation about the importance of “real food” and understanding its origins, ideas that have been gaining traction through movements advocating for better health.
“Everything we harvest, we eat,” noted James Hampton, reflecting their commitment to this philosophy.
They believe that as convenience increasingly dictates food choices, many people have lost touch with where their meals come from.
“We have to live what we preach,” one of the brothers said, acknowledging that while they aren’t strangers to fast food—thanks to their hectic lifestyles—they cherish their slow-cooked venison just as much.
Hunting involves a commitment to the process that convenience simply doesn’t offer. They’ll spend hours in a tree stand, waiting patiently for an animal that they intend to bring home to eat. It’s a practice they feel is connected to their faith and responsibilities.
For them, this goes beyond simply harvesting food; it’s about caring for something they believe God has entrusted to them.
Their ministry, shaped by the connection between hunting and Christianity, has flourished for over twenty years. James recalls a poignant moment from 2004 when he found solace in prayer from a tree stand while his wife was undergoing treatment for cancer. That experience was pivotal in inspiring their ministry’s mission, which encourages others to “hunt for God and His plan for their life.”
“We must truly live what we preach,” James reaffirmed, emphasizing the need to love God wholeheartedly and to seek Him continually.
