38 • JUNE 2021
Investing Time OutdoorsMistie DesperKeith Polk has used his passion and love forthe outdoors to shape the lives of his sons andother boys in his community. Keith recallsalways having a love for anything outdoors andspending as much time as possible hunting andfishing. He is now instilling that same love intohis three sons, Caleb (15), Collin (11), and Ben (4).His passion for the outdoors dates back to1986 when he spent time enjoying hunting withhis own father. Keith said, “I love watching theboys enjoy the same things. It is very specialwhen we are back in my hometown [ofPrentiss] hunting in the same woods that Igrew up in.”Keith admits that while hunting is a passionof his, the quiet time spent in the woods hasgiven him opportunities for deep discussionsand life lessons with his boys. He said, “Hunting,in general, teaches so much about life, disappointments,and dealing with loss, especiallywhen you lose big game you have been chasing.It’s also an opportunity to reflect on life andgives us time to slow down and have deep talks,even some that are hard to talk about in atraditional setting. The stillness and time wehave together helps the boys open up andallows me to be able to have some goodteachable moments.”Caleb said, “Some of my most memorablemoments I have spent in creation with my dad.He has taught me so much through hunting. Idon’t know what I’d do without it.” The bondsthat the Polk boys share are undeniable. Thelessons learned about hunting, life, and faith areones that they will carry throughout their lives.Faith is a large part of the Polk home as well.As members of Crossgates Baptist Church, theystrive to raise their boys with a deep Christianbackground that serves others in theircommunity. But Keith not only pours into hisown sons but into a community of young boyswho have been abandoned by their ownfathers. He is proud to partner with theFathers in the Field Ministry.The Fathers in the Field Ministry worksclosely with churches and was established witha deep conviction to answer God’s call todefend the cause of the fatherless through theprovision of Godly mentoring fathers. Thementors lead the boys outdoors where theycan connect with them one-on-one whileteaching them various outdoor activities.Having sons in the same age ranges thatbenefit most from this ministry, Keith hasbecome very passionate over the years to striveto be a better father to his sons and a fatherfigure for boys who desperately need theguidance of a loving male role model. Keithadmits, “The ministry has taught me so muchabout myself. The first boy I mentored didn’tgo like I thought it would have and I ended uplearning so much myself. I saw the confidencebuild in this young man and we still have anincredible bond to this day.”Strongly rooted in his faith, Keith is leadinghis wife, Danielle, and their sons in their ownChristian teachings. He added, “The ministry’sgoal is to also take them (fatherless boys) tothe foot of the cross and come to Christ.” Heis teaching his own sons these same aspirationswhile showing them to live Christ-like and bea role model and friend to all.Danielle, a teacher at StoneBridge Elementary,also sees the need of this ministry and how ithas bonded her husband and sons. She said,“I think there are so many life lessons learnedin the woods. My boys have learned aboutdisappointment, patience, respect for others, anddoing what’s right when no one is watching.”She added, “I’ve seen Caleb grow in hisrelationship with his brothers, his dad, andJesus through not only hunting but watchinghis dad mentor others through Fathers inthe Field.”Caleb added, “The most important lifelesson my dad has taught me is that you canlearn through failure. Whether you arehunting or whatever you do, it’s easy to failbut you can always learn and get better.”Keith knows what a profound impacthaving a positive male figure is to a young boygrowing up. He has been blessed to have hadthe guidance of a loving father himself so he ishonored to be able to share his passion, the giftof “investing time” outdoors, with his sons andpouring into others to help create the nextgeneration of world changers.Hometown RANKIN • 39