One Russell church is taking aim at ministry.
Caleb Pangborn, manager of the Anchor Point Archery complex at Calvary Chapel, said the facility will hold a free open shoot from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15. The public should bring their own bows and arrows, he said, and come to 8160 Market St. Extension to see what the facility is about.
"Our first priority is to proclaim the name of Jesus and witness to those who come in," Pangborn said. "We use the discipline and determination of archery as a tool to do that."
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Colin Kyler
Taking aim
Caleb Pangborn demonstrates the new indoor 3-D archery range at Anchor Point Archery.
In scripture, Pangborn said, there are numerous references to archery. An anchor point is the place on an archer's face where the hand is placed consistently while drawing back the bowstring, he said, and Jesus provides a similar anchor point in life.
At the complex, Pangborn said there are indoor fixed paper targets at distances of 20 yards, 30 yards and 40 yards. At any one time, he said there can be up to 16 shooters using that range with up to 8 on the line at once.
In the outdoor spot range, Pangborn said there are distances ranging from 50 yards to 100 yards. When work on the complex is finished, he said, the distances will range from 10 yards to 100 yards.
There is also virtual archery, Pangborn said, which is like a life-size video game.
Archers bring in their own bows and arrows, Pangborn said, and change to provided blunt tips in order to shoot at the video screen. After Wild Wind Sporters closed recently, he said Anchor Point was able to obtain its virtual system.
While in use, the screen shows scenes of a variety of game animals. Participants have to wait until there is an unobstructed and ethical shot, Pangborn said, or else it won't register.
Hunter safety courses can be taught with the virtual range, Pangborn said, although Pennsylvania does not require courses for archery. Still, he said it can be a good way of teaching younger hunters about ethical shooting.
Three dimensional archery is the most popular, Pangborn said, as it has life size animal targets and most relates to hunting. It requires judging distances, he noted.
While church officials had been talking about a 3-D range for six months, Pangborn said talks only became serious four months ago. Since then, he said they've put in an 8,000 square foot range in the building's former gymnasium.
"It's amazing what the Lord has done," Pangborn said. "I thought it would take two to three years."
That range contains a 50 foot by 25 foot by 9 foot mountain, Pangborn said, while most 3-D ranges have small hills. Although the range is small compared to other ranges, he said the mountain helps add depth.
Professional archers used the facility, Pangborn said, and they were impressed at how the mountain makes it more difficult to judge depth. That mimics real-life scenarios, he said, as well as tournament conditions.
Another indoor feature is the archery lounge, Pangborn said, which he hopes will one day include an archery shop. Next year, he said he would like to add an outdoor 3-D range where archers can walk through.
For more information, Pangborn said the facility can be reached at 757-8721 or info@anchorpointarchery.org. There is also a website which will be up and running soon, he said, at www.anchorpointarchery.org.