by: Kate Sanchez
Catch the Vision Ministry has one main purpose: to present the gospel to young people; and in doing so, has provided fundraising and assistance for several local happenings. What began six years ago, as a group of men met at the flag pole to pray for rain during the drought, has turned into a Christian ministry which provides teachings of The Word, and so much more.
Within the past few years, Catch the Vision has become and imperative part of ENMU’s College Daze Rodeo every fall. While coach Albert Flinn takes care of everything that goes on inside the arena, the ministry has around 70-80 volunteers helping do everything outside of it. From tasks as small as red ant control around the arena grounds, to parking vehicles and running the concession stand, Catch the Vision keeps the rodeo running smoothly. Most impressive however, are the fundraising efforts and donations that the ministry has been able to bring in. Food donations alone, for the rodeo week, of both brisket and hamburger, is a help they’ve managed to bring in. Meanwhile, on a more visual level, the men and women who volunteer through the ministry have conducted fundraisers to cover the arena, helped in getting bathrooms built on the facility, and aided in getting the bleachers from the old football fields moved to the rodeo arena by raising a portion of the money required to do so. Charles Bennett, one of the men who first started Catch the Vision, says he “could go on for hours about all the people who help us”. 
From donations of freezers for meat and trucking of the meat, to construction and electric to help advance the arena grounds, as well as caliche donations, bottles of water and string cheese for contestants, Catch the Vision manages to round up helping hands around every corner and leave no stone unturned. Often, help in the concession stand comes from other ENMU student athletes who are in their off-season, such as the softball and baseball teams. In fact, the baseball team joins in to volunteer as early as Tuesday of rodeo week by helping set up the tent with food for contestants. Another perk in the set up for contestants and spectators alike is the live feed of the rodeo that can be viewed online while the event is going on. Whether it’s the performance or the slack, students from Portales high school, under the guidance of Shawn Carter, do an excellent job recording the rodeo for people to be able to tune in. There is also a replay screen for contestants to be able to watch their runs back after they’ve happened. But what may be most inspiring and important, is that Catch the Vision provides church services all throughout the week of the rodeo to the athletes and all who wish to join. 
In addition to the volunteer work and ministry during rodeo week, Catch the Vision specifically focuses on sharing The Word with other sports teams at ENMU. Throughout the school year, the organization provides bible studies for teams such as volleyball, rodeo, and football. Bennett says they’d like to add more teams to that list. With the bible study, Catch the Vision also provides a meal and lots of good fellowship. Similarly, the ministry takes any leftover meat from the rodeo and freezes it, to feed the athletes, specifically basketball teams, at Christmas because they are unable to go home for the holiday. All caring and thoughtful gestures, Catch the Vision has also started hosting an event based on fun, where students get to know more about the different events in rodeo. An event was held to allow athletes of a mix of sports teams participate as rodeo contestants would, to become more familiar with the sport. The event finished off with laughs, good food, and a short testimony. 
Developed in a time of need for rain, Catch the Vision Ministry has become so much more than a group that prays together. They have found a purpose in ministering to young adults, and in doing so, serve the area in so many wonderful, giving ways!
To follow, Catch The Vision
