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Investing Time Outdoors
Mistie Desper
Keith Polk has used his passion and love for
the outdoors to shape the lives of his sons and
other boys in his community. Keith recalls
always having a love for anything outdoors and
spending as much time as possible hunting and
fishing. He is now instilling that same love into
his three sons, Caleb (15), Collin (11), and Ben (4).
His passion for the outdoors dates back to
1986 when he spent time enjoying hunting with
his own father. Keith said, “I love watching the
boys enjoy the same things. It is very special
when we are back in my hometown [of
Prentiss] hunting in the same woods that I
grew up in.”
Keith admits that while hunting is a passion
of his, the quiet time spent in the woods has
given him opportunities for deep discussions
and life lessons with his boys. He said, “Hunting,
in general, teaches so much about life, disappointments,
and dealing with loss, especially
when you lose big game you have been chasing.
It’s also an opportunity to reflect on life and
gives us time to slow down and have deep talks,
even some that are hard to talk about in a
traditional setting. The stillness and time we
have together helps the boys open up and
allows me to be able to have some good
teachable moments.”
Caleb said, “Some of my most memorable
moments I have spent in creation with my dad.
He has taught me so much through hunting. I
don’t know what I’d do without it.” The bonds
that the Polk boys share are undeniable. The
lessons learned about hunting, life, and faith are
ones that they will carry throughout their lives.
Faith is a large part of the Polk home as well.
As members of Crossgates Baptist Church, they
strive to raise their boys with a deep Christian
background that serves others in their
community. But Keith not only pours into his
own sons but into a community of young boys
who have been abandoned by their own
fathers. He is proud to partner with the
Fathers in the Field Ministry.
The Fathers in the Field Ministry works
closely with churches and was established with
a deep conviction to answer God’s call to
defend the cause of the fatherless through the
provision of Godly mentoring fathers. The
mentors lead the boys outdoors where they
can connect with them one-on-one while
teaching them various outdoor activities.
Having sons in the same age ranges that
benefit most from this ministry, Keith has
become very passionate over the years to strive
to be a better father to his sons and a father
figure for boys who desperately need the
guidance of a loving male role model. Keith
admits, “The ministry has taught me so much
about myself. The first boy I mentored didn’t
go like I thought it would have and I ended up
learning so much myself. I saw the confidence
build in this young man and we still have an
incredible bond to this day.”
Strongly rooted in his faith, Keith is leading
his wife, Danielle, and their sons in their own
Christian teachings. He added, “The ministry’s
goal is to also take them (fatherless boys) to
the foot of the cross and come to Christ.” He
is teaching his own sons these same aspirations
while showing them to live Christ-like and be
a role model and friend to all.
Danielle, a teacher at StoneBridge Elementary,
also sees the need of this ministry and how it
has bonded her husband and sons. She said,
“I think there are so many life lessons learned
in the woods. My boys have learned about
disappointment, patience, respect for others, and
doing what’s right when no one is watching.”
She added, “I’ve seen Caleb grow in his
relationship with his brothers, his dad, and
Jesus through not only hunting but watching
his dad mentor others through Fathers in
the Field.”
Caleb added, “The most important life
lesson my dad has taught me is that you can
learn through failure. Whether you are
hunting or whatever you do, it’s easy to fail
but you can always learn and get better.”
Keith knows what a profound impact
having a positive male figure is to a young boy
growing up. He has been blessed to have had
the guidance of a loving father himself so he is
honored to be able to share his passion, the gift
of “investing time” outdoors, with his sons and
pouring into others to help create the next
generation of world changers.
Hometown RANKIN • 39