West Coast Christian Anglers
Damian Hernandez said he was on the verge of quitting bass
fishing one day when he simply asked God, “Do you want me to
quit?”
Fortunately, God’s answer was, ”no.”
Hernandez went on to start the West Coast Christian Anglers
bass club.
“I just felt God wanted me to do something more, and as it
turned out that was right,” said Hernandez, who is president of
West Coast Christian Anglers.
The club was incorporated in February 2004.
A Christian-based club West Coast Christian holds six
competitive tournaments each year, but the club is known more
for its mission, which is as it should be Hernandez said. The
membership is small, made up of members from Ventura County,
California, but the goal is huge.
“Yes, we want to use fishing as a way to spread the Gospel.
In 2005 we began taking graduates of the Ventura Rescue Mission
program fishing. This program is a nine-month recovery program
for men with drug and alcohol problems.
“Each month, we take graduates fishing at Lake Casitas. We
give them a license, rods, reels, lures and everything. The
results have been amazing. Some have never been in a boat
before. The experience, the testimonies, it’s life-changing,”
Hernandez said.
“For many, it is the first time they have ever realized they
could have fun without the dependencies.”
But West Coast Christian Anglers doesn’t just take them
fishing, they also offer anglers a chance to join the club.
“Four of our present members came out of this mission and one
is club chaplain,” he said.
West Coast conducts all of its mission work without the aid
of sponsorships, relying solely on donations.
In addition to its work with those from the Mission, the club
also helps each spring with Kids Day at Lake Casidas. They cook
for the 150 volunteers at this event, which is held in late
March.
To find out more about this club, readers can visit
www.westcoastchristiananglers.org.
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