need some answers-Hank Parker

[dc chopper]

I am going to try (again) to talk our sportmens ministry at church into bringing Hank Parker in to speak. The problem I'm running into is his speaking fee. He has an agent that we have to deal with and they wouldn't budge off of 5k plus expenses (airfare, hotel and car rental) I know that's alot, we spent about a thousand a year ago for the duck commander ( I don't duck hunt but this guy was a trip) I really believe that we could get 1,000 people for Hank Parker, at $10 a ticket, we should be fine. Bullitt East High School will let us have their gym for free. We don't make anything off of the dinner, all money returns back for door prizes ( we usually lose around 200-300 dollars to be honest). We sell out every year ( 500 plus) with no problem Pat Day spoke this year and was a great draw - not your typical sportsman but people loved him. Is all that money worth a big name like Hank? Would the fishermen of Ky and sou. Indiana show up? We've had people from as far as Chicago show up so the draw is good. Any input to help me argue for or against?

[Trophyhunter8]

I bet Dave would do it for $4000.00 without airfare or expenses. lol

[pastorbass]

What is your purpose in this event? Is to to have a fellowship of Christian sportsmen? If that is the case charging for the event is fine, however, I don't know if Hank Parker would bring in 1000 people, but it may be worth a try. Or is this event for the primary purpose of evangelism. If that is the case I wouldn't charge anyone to come to an outreach event. That is just how we do it here and other churches I know of. Or would Hank even being speaking on the Gospel or would it be a Hank Parker seminar on fishing. The whole purpose would determine the route I would go.

I have a hard time with people who have set fees for preaching the gospel. I understand travel expenses and such, but big fees to preach or share is beyond me. I was looking at a website of speakers once and Darrell Waltrip charges 50 or 60 thousand for a speaking engagement.

There are plenty of solid Christian BASS anglers out there who will speak for travel plus whatever else the organization sees fit. I know Randy Howell is that way.

I had an indirect experience with David Hale from Knight and Hale. A friend of mine at a neighboring church had him come in for the a wild game banquet. The whole event was free. Hundreds of people there. David Hale would not take a penny for his 3 or 3 hour trip or for his speaking. He told my friend that if the church paid him he would have to say what the church wanted him to, but if they didn't pay him he could say what the Lord had put on his heart. And boy he brought it. The best good ole boy sermon I have heard. Nothing fancy, but biblical truth packaged so other good ole boys knew what he was talking about. He only mentioned Knight and Hale briefly and never pushed products or anything.

But back to your question - If I were planning this event I would probably go for another pro angler with no set fee.

[DJD]

I never realized that David Hale was like that. That gives me a new respect for him and I would like to see him speak. Hank is alright but I'm not as excited about that.

[jcb]

We had David Hale at my former church 2 years ago. Agree with everything Pastorbass said. He was great and very humble, given his status in the outdoor world.

[mhall]

We had David Hale at my former church 2 years ago. Agree with everything Pastorbass said. He was great and very humble, given his status in the outdoor world.

Harold Knight and David Hale are two of the finest individuals too ever walk boot leather.

[PRO V LE]

Sounds like a job for Al Lindner and his brother.

[PROANGLER746]

I like to watch Parker on TV but to listen to him talk. Sorry but that would not be of much interest. Especially if he acts like he is above us all or something. Celeberties whatever.

[Rangerman]

Harold Knight and David Hale are two of the finest individuals too ever walk boot leather.

No personal experience with Harold or David but I have always liked them. As for Hank, you will not meet a more down to earth, generous and likeable guy (IMO) in the fishing industry. He has always been top notch whenever I have talked with him and that includes in public or private settings. Great guy.

[dc chopper]

What is your purpose in this event? Is to to have a fellowship of Christian sportsmen? If that is the case charging for the event is fine, however, I don't know if Hank Parker would bring in 1000 people, but it may be worth a try. Or is this event for the primary purpose of evangelism. If that is the case I wouldn't charge anyone to come to an outreach event. That is just how we do it here and other churches I know of. Or would Hank even being speaking on the Gospel or would it be a Hank Parker seminar on fishing. The whole purpose would determine the route I would go.

I have a hard time with people who have set fees for preaching the gospel. I understand travel expenses and such, but big fees to preach or share is beyond me. I was looking at a website of speakers once and Darrell Waltrip charges 50 or 60 thousand for a speaking engagement.

There are plenty of solid Christian BASS anglers out there who will speak for travel plus whatever else the organization sees fit. I know Randy Howell is that way.

I had an indirect experience with David Hale from Knight and Hale. A friend of mine at a neighboring church had him come in for the a wild game banquet. The whole event was free. Hundreds of people there. David Hale would not take a penny for his 3 or 3 hour trip or for his speaking. He told my friend that if the church paid him he would have to say what the church wanted him to, but if they didn't pay him he could say what the Lord had put on his heart. And boy he brought it. The best good ole boy sermon I have heard. Nothing fancy, but biblical truth packaged so other good ole boys knew what he was talking about. He only mentioned Knight and Hale briefly and never pushed products or anything.

But back to your question - If I were planning this event I would probably go for another pro angler with no set fee.

Pastorbass, we charge to cover for food and door prizes,thats it. We had knight and Hale also 3 years ago. Great people and message they sent out. We requested a video to promote during church and they sent us 2 cases. I have talked to 2 people who have fished with Parker they said he was a devout christain and one of the best people you could want to be around. One of those guys fished in Florida tourney with him and said the night before, they had a big dinner, hank sat in the lobby for 2 hrs talking fishing with kids,skipped the dinner! Our dinner isn't as big as Southeast Christian (1600 people from what I've heard) we stop tickets around 500-550 and never have any left. I wasn't real happy having Pat Day this year (at first) but he sent a message that blew people away,talked about his problems with drugs and booze, and how the lord turned his life around. Our dinner cost a ton of money to have, we can't afford to do it for free. Like I said, we just hope to break even, we're not out for a profit,just to have a nice outing and message for familys, yes a lot of women show up too! Our first one was on the outdoor channel with Chuck McAllister, reminded me of the preachers of old,fire and brimstone guy, alittle different from Southern Bapt nowadays. We have vendors with booths set up at no charge, and run out of space within a day or two but we don't allow them to sell anything, it's a church, not a yard sale, but sounds like a turkey,duck, deer grunt competition!

[mhall]

No personal experience with Harold or David but I have always liked them. As for Hank, you will not meet a more down to earth, generous and likeable guy (IMO) in the fishing industry. He has always been top notch whenever I have talked with him and that includes in public or private settings. Great guy.

I second that. One time at one of the shows my wife asked him a question as he walked by. She liked his show and his one the only fishing show I could get her to watch with me. He not only answered her question but stood there and talked to us like we were his family or something, I was Very impressed with him, stand up guy.