Speaking at the May meeting of the Hemphill Chamber of Commerce, Dick Polk, Director of FOM Texas East Division and National Director of Ministries for FOM, explained what his organization’s mission is, and some of their achievements in the East Texas area. The Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail is a nonprofit, non-denominational ministry whose mission is to introduce Jesus to fishermen and their families and to invite them into a relationship with Him, through bass fishing tournaments. FOM holds a Friday night meeting, prior to tournament Saturday, where fishermen and their families are fed and receive messages from evangelical and motivational speakers.

FOM strives to help our local area with projects that are need oriented. For instance, they built a new day care in the Broaddus area, Light The Way Day Care, subsidized by the First Baptist Church there. At present, FOM is exploring opportunities to replicate that same supporting accomplishment in the 6 Mile area.

In other efforts spearheaded by Gary Baker of Terrill Petroleum here in Hemphill (who also just happens to be Co-Director of FOM Texas East Division), over 200 underprivileged kids in the Hemphill and Broaddus area received a Christmas present this last year, and another 200+ received coats as well. This is just some of the local support from FOM. Their support reaches nation wide, and even into Brazil.

The FOM 2023 fishing schedule has been recently released and may be viewed on their Facebook page, FOM Texas East. As usual, they alternate between Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn and have no off limits period prior to tournament day. The entry fee is still $150 per team. You will notice a HUGE change though. Starting this year, FOM has a guarantee of $10,000 first place payout! That will certainly increase the size of the field of competitors. Local businesses might want to check their schedule to prepare for these fishermen and their families.

And if all that news isn’t enough, Mr. Polk is diligently striving to secure the 2026 FOM National Championship to be held in Hemphill. That means that fishermen and their families from all over the nation will be converging on Hemphill,