REACH Ministries was launched with an evangelistic luncheon for businessmen in December of 2011 after incorporating as a non-profit organization and hiring its founder, Greg Hood, as Executive Director.
The first luncheon speaker, Tom Campbell, and his story were the early models of what REACH would become in its mission to gather men, grow in faith and give charitably.
Tom, a University of Texas football legend and future inductee into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, related his story of faith in God to the initial lunch gathering. It all began, he said, at an outreach luncheon when he heard an Apollo astronaut tell how his stellar career and world-wide fame had not brought him the happiness he expected. Tom listened attentively because he, too, had not found fulfillment despite his fame. The astronaut said that happiness and peace came only when he began a relationship with Jesus Christ so urged those present to also turn to Christ.
Tom said he eagerly followed the speaker’s urging and also joined a small-group Bible study to grow in faith. While being mentored, he gained spiritual confidence to reach out to others and found it especially meaningful when he led his terminally ill father to be assured of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Tom’s wife and children were also beneficiaries of Tom’s new faith and became followers of the Savior.
Tom’s growth in faith naturally led to charitable giving, both of time and finances. Fish For Life, a ministry to at-risk kids which introduces them to mentors and outdoor activities, became a favorite charity for Tom.
Since launching with Tom Campbell, we have continued to gather men at numerous outreach events, sponsor many small groups to grow in faith and give charitably to meet needs.
REACH Ministries has also sponsored the Leadership Prayer Breakfast since 2012, a community-wide event which gathers public servants and military leaders to recognize their service, pray for them and to hear a Biblical call to righteousness.
REACH continued to expand our ministry in 2017 by partnering with church congregations to provide strategies for building men’s ministries through seminars, conferences and small-group training.
REACH has also sponsored special events to show appreciation for police officers and military veterans who attend as honored guests at no charge.
Charitable giving has been an important aspect of REACH Ministries and includes service to other organizations such as leading studies for Coaches Outreach and financial contributions to wounded warrior projects, disaster relief, high school athletes, and mentoring projects for men.