Selma youth will have the opportunity to combine their love for hunting and their faith Oct. 11, as the Elkdale Baptist Church will host a Youth Hunting Expo.

Bob Frazer, youth pastor for Elkdale Baptist, said he has been looking forward to this event, which will be held 6 p.m. through 8 p.m., because it will provide something different for youth who love the outdoors.

“It’ll serve as a reminder for gun safety,” Frazer said. “And then we’ve got a speaker coming that has a background of ministry and the outdoors who is trying to make that connection, hunting and God together.”

This is the first time an event like this has been put together, Frazer said. There is no cost to attend and several door prizes will be available such as hunting clothes, jackets, game calls and much more.

Along with a special speaker, there will also be fish fry that attendees can enjoy.

“It’s a family thing,” Frazer said. ‘We’re just trying to encourage families and connecting them to Christ and connecting those dots.”

Frazer also encouraged young hunters and their parents to show up in their best “camo garb.”

“They can wear their best camouflage and bring their favorite deer mount and try to win a prize,” Frazer said.

Because there is such a love for hunting in the Black Belt, Frazer said it seemed natural to use hunting as a way to reach out to area youth and hopefully get them excited about their faith.

“There’s a huge love for hunting in this little town,” he said. “And we’re just trying to use that as a way to capitalize on that and encourage a love for the outdoors and love for the Lord.”

He added that he has been fortunate enough to have several area hunting stores sponsor his event, such as Rountree outdoors, which will be providing the door prizes.

“It’s something for the whole family,” Frazer said. “Something for them to enjoy together, and it’ll be a lot of fun.”