bowhunting

Chris Merica, of Le Roy, shot this nine-pointer on the first day of the bowhunting season. His girlfriend, Jenna Read, who shared this photo, said, "He practiced so hard all summer for this exact deer! He’s been waiting quite some time for his trophy buck. I just wanted to give him a little shout-out, he earned this!"

In January of this year, the Genesee Archers for Christ was officially accepted as a chapter of the Christian Bowhunters of America. Pictured above are three of the chapter's founders. Left to right, Caroline and Joe Pionessa, of Oakfield, and Kevin Lawson, of Bethany. The fourth founding member is Batavian Mike Grasso. 

Joe Pionessa, a Marine Corps veteran who has been around the proverbial block a few times, decided the time had come to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ and what better way than to use his love of the outdoors as a ministry to bring the Gospel to men, women and children.

Recently, Joe Pionessa was the guest of Care-A-Van ministries at their Teen Warehouse in Darien, where the group serves up supper and provides recreational activities for inner-city teens on Saturday evenings. On this night, Pionessa shared some outdoor knowledge including turkey and deer hunting tactics.  

Here he's demonstrating the use of one of several game calls he had on hand. A longtime outdoorsman, Pionessa was quick to add that, at this point in his life, the outdoors has become about much more than hunting. Whether it be sunsets or sunrise, and a countless number of other natural wonders, he is now quick to recognize the handprint of God in the outdoors he enjoys.

The membership the Genesee Archers for Christ is comprised of men, women and children who are devoted to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and spread the good news.

Interested parties can reach Joe Pionessa at 585-298-0011.