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More than three decades ago (at the ripe-old-age of 11) Tom C. Rakow poached his first deer with a twenty-two caliber rifle. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of some very bad hunting habits.

Then in 1977, Tom came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior while watching a Billy Graham Crusade on television. Not surprisingly, one of the first things that happened was that Tom’s hunting attitudes and activities began to be transformed. Although Rakow would be the first to admit that God still has a whole lot of work left to do in his life, he’s convinced that a return to biblical principles (which predate aluminum arrows, game wardens, black powder, and the second amendment) will serve as a helpful bridge between divergent views held by hunters and non-hunters alike.

Tom has written for major publications and authored "Copy Me!" Bible Quizzes , Hunting & the Bible , Raccoon Hunting Basics , Devotions for Dog Lovers , and in 2003 SELF-INFLICTED HUNTING ARGUMENTS: Biblical Responses to a Loaded Issue . In addition, Tom is co-owner of Rock Dove Publications, www.rockdove.com , in demand as a speaker for wild game banquets, and hosts a weekly radio broadcast called “First Light.” In 1994 Tom founded the Christian Deer Hunters Association (CDHA), a national, non-profit, interdenominational, volunteer ministry to deer hunters. More recently he founded the Christian Anglers Association .

Rakow has studied the Bible in its original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek and regularly researches hunting related issues as they pertain to a biblical world view approach. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Moody Bible Institute (IL), Asbury Theological Seminary (KY), and Bethel Theological Seminary (MN). Dr. Rakow has been listed in the Dictionary of International Biography - 23rd Edition, and Who’s Who in Religion. Tom and his wife, Beth, and their four daughters reside in Minnesota where he has served as a full-time pastor since 1989.

Jeff Horwich of Minnesota Public Radio recently went on a bow hunt with
Christian Deer Hunters Association Founder Dr. Tom C. Rakow and Membership Coordinator
Kent Rydberg. You can read the story, or listen to the interview. Unfortunately, Dr. Rakow is now one
of the few people in the world to ever miss a deer on the radio! - Click HERE!