Each admission ticket allowed guests to enter a raffle at the end of the evening, one of the grand prizes being a guided bow-fishing trip in Ohio led by a guest pastor. The pastor jokingly remarked that it was a “men-only” fishing trip, telling attendees to “leave the wives at home.” Jessica thought it was just a joke, but decided to put her ticket in the raffle alongside another woman.
When the pastor drew the other woman’s name, he quickly stated that the trip was only for men, leaving her disappointed. Then, when Jessica’s name was drawn, she found herself in the same predicament. “I couldn’t join because I’m a woman,” she lamented.
“I’ve hunted and fished with many men and always received respect, so I was shocked by this reaction, especially from a church that promotes equality,” Jessica said. Surely, in 2021, we wouldn’t be facing such outdated gender restrictions, right? But Meadowview Baptist Church clearly thinks otherwise.
In a now-removed Facebook post, Pastor Mark Johnson explained their reasoning. He stated, “In light of current sexual scandals, many pastors, including myself, choose not to put ourselves in situations that could lead to false accusations, which is why we designated the trip as men-only.” He insisted there was no intent to discriminate.
Pastor Johnson mentioned that the trip’s conditions were announced multiple times while raffle tickets were collected. “Unfortunately, some ladies still entered their names, and their tickets were drawn but declined based on the previously stated stipulations,” he said.
So, just to clarify, the rules were reiterated, and it was the women’s fault for misunderstanding. Because if they joined a fishing trip with men, they might cause trouble, right? That logic seems flawed.
Pastor Johnson later expressed a desire to speak with Jessica and her father to clarify the miscommunication and extend an apology. Jessica was understandably offended, as she was denied her prize simply for being a woman. When asked if she had received any direct outreach from the church, she responded, “No one has contacted me. It’s easy to find me on social media, so if they genuinely wanted to reach out, they could have.”
While Pastor Johnson mentioned future plans for women-only trips, Jessica expressed her lack of interest in a consolation prize. “Hunting and fishing demand respect for the sport, the land, the equipment, and the harvest. These activities should be co-ed, and women deserve equal opportunities.” She is determined to advocate for equality, asserting that women can do anything men can do.
As for Jessica, she remains undeterred. With Pennsylvania’s trout season opening on April 3, 2021, she plans to be out there fishing: “I’ll keep hunting and fishing for the rest of my life.”
When approached for further comment, Meadowview Baptist Church declined to elaborate.
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In summary, this incident highlights the continuing struggle for gender equality, even in seemingly innocuous settings like church events and recreational activities. Women deserve the same opportunities as men, and it’s essential to continue advocating for equal treatment.