Posted on 01/31/2013 7:55:23 AM PST by thackney
When Brandon Hooks’ mother introduced him to “Duck Dynasty,” he found the A&E reality series funny and entertaining.
But he did not expect a television show to change his life.
Hooks, 31, seldom attended church while growing up. The only time he went was when his family visited his grandmother’s house. Throughout most of his life, he gave faith little thought.
He did, however, grow to love hunting and fishing. This passion for outdoor activities would help guide him to discover his own faith and love for Christ.
In 2006, Hooks began dating his future wife, Jessica, 29, a member of the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston. He started attending services with her.
After the couple married in 2007, Hooks kept joining his wife at church. He was welcomed with his family and made many friends at the congregation. However, something still seemed to be missing. 'Hooks still felt unable to make a connection to anyone with whom he could relate spiritually.
Last year, Hooks’ mother, Shelia Hooks, introduced him to “Duck Dynasty,” which is filmed in West Monroe, La., two hours north of his parents’ home in Pleasant Hill, La.
The show — which drew 6.5 million viewers to its final episode of 2012 — follows the Robertson family as they operate a thriving duck call and decoy business while staying true to their family values.
Duck Commander Phil Robertson and his son, Al, both serve as elders for the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe. Other family members also are active with the congregation.
Hooks said he appreciated the values that the Robertsons profess and the family meal — preceded by a prayer — which the family shares at the end of each episode.
Curious about the Robertsons, he checked into their background online. He came across a 15-minute video of Willie Robertson, CEO of the family’s Duck Commander business, speaking at chapel at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.
It was then, Hooks said, that he began thinking about God and faith.
After hearing Willie reflect on his faith, Hooks listened to several clips of Phil Robertson, the family patriarch, preaching and telling the story of Jesus.
The Gospel message began to click with Hooks.
“Phil Robertson really brought it full circle,” Hooks said.
Hooks decided that he wanted to be baptized and told his wife of his decision. Without his knowledge, she contacted the Robertsons and told them of the impact they had made on her husband’s faith journey.
To her surprise, the Robertsons responded, she said.
“Our family decided we would do our best to facilitate requests to baptize those who ask, and we do it by having them come to a Sunday or Wednesday service at the White’s Ferry Road building,” said Al Robertson, a former longtime preacher for the congregation.
“I will typically talk with them about the importance of the Gospel and response to it as well as the importance of emphasizing who they are being baptized into and not who is baptizing them.”
Brandon and Jessica Hooks, along with their 3-year-old daughter, Abby, traveled to West Monroe, about 350 miles northeast of Houston, where the Robertsons welcomed them like family.
“What you see on the show is how they are,” Brandon Hooks said. “They are all down to earth.” Kay Robertson, Phil’s wife and the family matriarch, hugged everyone, telling the Hookses, “We don’t shake hands around here.”
In front of his family and the White’s Ferry Road congregation, Hooks made his public profession of faith in Christ and was baptized by Jase Robertson.
In a small town in northeast Louisiana, Brandon Hooks’ life changed forever — not because of who baptized him, he said, but because of his decision to follow Christ.
“I know some people would say I did this just to meet them or have a famous person do it. That was not it,” Hooks said. “I wanted them to do it because I connected with them.”
After years of going to church and not feeling connected, Brandon Hooks found faith and began his journey with Christ in the most unlikely of places.
For the Robertsons’ four sons — Alan, Jase, Willie and Jephtha — going to bed at night with people still in their home studying Scripture was normal.
“I would get up for school, and there would be two to three people asleep on the couch, their wet clothes over a chair,” Alan said. “At some point Dad had baptized them in the river near our house.”
Friends and relatives estimate that the Duck Commander has baptized more than 300 in the nearby Ouachita River.
His first public-speaking opportunity came in the early 1990s when fans asked him to give a duck-calling seminar at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Standing before 1,000 people, Roberts first went through his various duck calls, including tips and techniques of duck-hunting.
Suddenly, he thought that this moment presented him with a terrific opportunity to preach.
Reaching into his shoulder bag, he pulled out his Bible.
“Folks, while I’m here,” he said, “I think I’m gonna preach you a little sermon.”
A surprised murmur spread through the crowd. Undeterred, he went on.
“I’m standing under a sign that says, ‘Budweiser is the King of Beers,’ and everybody’s got their beer here today,” he recalled saying. “But I’m here to talk about the King of Kings.”
Afterward, the crowd applauded enthusiastically. Invitations to speak poured in.
http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158637~He_walks_like_a_Christian,_calls_like_a_duck
The Tom Selleck show “Blue Bloods” also has a family dinner, and more often than not, a prayer.
That’s good to hear.
Book Mark
Anybody provide any info on the Christian beliefs of the Church of Christ? I googled it but didn’t find anything too black and white. I went to this Church’s website and they have one prominent photo of two men hugging with a caption stating that they welcome all, making me believe they are referring to practicing homosexuals.
I grew up in the church of Christ and am still a member ... although I consider myself simply a generic Christian. The church of Christ does not have anything like a Southern Baptist Convention authority. Each congregation is autonomous and so you will see all kinds from conservative to liberal. The only way my church would accept a homosexual as a regular member would be if they were repentant of their sin. On the other hand, everybody is welcome to visit.
No, I think that photo is him hugging someone after he baptized them.
The churches of Christ
http://church-of-christ.org/
We are undenominational and have no central headquarters or president. The head of the church is none other than Jesus Christ himself (Ephesians 1:22-23).
Each congregation of the churches of Christ is autonomous, and it is the Word of God that unites us into One Faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and his holy Apostles, and not the teachings of man. We are Christians only!
Sure can, given that I have been a member for 30 years.
We are an independent Christian denomination, though we do not like that word, preferring "brotherhood".
Historically, we have been called the "Barton-Stone Movement", after the men that started the movement, Thomas Campbell and Barton Stone. But their views are not that significant in defining the theology of the brotherhood today. For example, Campbell was not a Trinitarian, those I and most members of the church of Christ that I know believe in the Trinity. These men were formerly associated with the Presbyterians and Anabaptists, but wanted simply to be called "Christians".
We believe in individuals interpreting the Bible, but admittedly our brotherhood does have influence on that interpretation. Theologically, we believe in the Trinity; creation ex nihilo, young-earth (though there are a lot of old-earthers like me); we are somewhat dispensational, though we think Israel still has a place in God's plan; we believe in the substitutionary atonement of Christ, the divine 2nd person of the Godhead; general election but individual choice for salvation; baptism for remission of sins; the possibility of a believer's fall; an indwelling Holy Spirit; the resurrection of the dead at Christ's return (generally amillenial though some are pre-mil/pre-trib).
We are often recognized for our worship practices: we sing acapella, without instruments; we partake of the Lord's Supper (what we call the Eucharist / Communion) each Sunday; we practice immersion baptism for the remission of sins (meaning one is not considered a Christian until he/she is baptized).
We were formerly well-known for our memorization of Scripture; sadly, that is not true anymore, though I do it and wish we would as a brotherhood return to it.
We do not recognize any religious hierarchy beyond the local church, though churches will cooperate on missions and benevolence, as churches in the New Testament did. Each church is governed by a body of elders (also called shepherds or pastors); the pulpit preacher is subject to the elders, as are deacons who direct and carry out the work of the local church.
Churches of Christ were formerly, and somewhat infamously, known for their condemnation of all other Christian groups as not following the New Testament, and therefore Hell-bound. This is no longer true, and we are all the better for it. There are significant overtures to the denominations now, particularly our long-lost sister group, the Christian Church, and another splinter group, the International Church of Christ.
The churches of Christ are strongest in the South and Heartland; we are weakest on the coasts and in the northeast. Internationally, missions are strong, supported by local churches and affiliated Christian universities.
I am proud of my religious heritage, and am glad to share it with the Duck Commander.
Don’t know if it is worth watching, yet, but it sounds worth a try.
Much of today’s programing seems to encourage belief in ghosts, vampires, aliens and just about anything else, except God and a healthy enjoyable lifestyle.
“The only way my church would accept a homosexual as a regular member would be if they were repentant of their sin. On the other hand, everybody is welcome to visit.”
AMEN! IMHOit’s called “love the sinner, hate the sin”.
We have all come short of the glory of God, and we need to make sure, every day, that it doesn’t sneak back up on us.
This story makes me happy,happy,happy.
Duck Dynasty is a great show, clean fun, with real folks having a good time.
I’m a city boy, and I don’t miss this show.
You better believe it, Jack!
Thank you
Saw the show for the first time last night. It is beyond my wildest dreams. ‘Course, I ‘r a California Okie.
Jase’ manner, and even his voice at times, remind me of a close friend that died several years ago. He could pull one over on you with a straight face, if you weren’t verrry careful.
I’ve seen all the episodes and am anxious for more!!
If anyone is interested in the reruns they can be found on the A&E channel. Usually at least one night a week will have several episodes back to back.
Thanks for the reference! We have been DVRing all the episodes. I love dry humor and Jase is my favorite.
One of their best episodes. My wife and I were both laughing so hard we couldn't see the TV.
This may be a duplicate, the reply I posted “went away”
I made the same observation yesterday. Blue Bloods and Duck Dynasty are the “same show” with more or less redneck and more or less facial hair (on the men).
They are both about families who: are in the same profession, carry guns, are Christian, eat together with multiple generations, fight with each other a lot, love each other, say Grace before meals, and have a fair amount of money.
You’re right. And I enjoy both of those shows.
Thanks for pointing that out.
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