As you may or may not know, CATCH is an acronym for Christian Anglers Together Can Help. CATCH is a non-profit parachurch organization which began in June of 2006 and is based in Cleveland, TN. Our primary purpose is to reach individuals with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the activity of fishing. Secondarily, when resources are available, we provide necessities of life and recreational activities for those in our community that are less fortunate.
We take the Gospel to ponds, lakes and rivers in an attempt to reach people that wouldn’t consider attending a traditional church service. We have competitive bass tournaments for adults and fun-filled fishing derbies for children. We also have activities that include nursing home patients and individuals who have been court-ordered to complete drug rehabilitation. Our chaplain or his designee gives a Biblically based devotion at all CATCH events. We share the truth of God’s love and grace in a fun and non-threatening environment..
CATCH Tournament - Grasshopper Campground Ramp - Lake Chickamauga
Saturday, May 4th (Safe Light - 3:00pm)
The 2024 CATCH Bass Tournament Trail will be launching from the Grasshopper Campground Ramp on Lake Chickamauga on Saturday morning, May 4th, with a $500 first place guarantee. This is an open tournament and will be Sponsored by J & J Welding of Cleveland, TN. Owners Joe and Susan Jerfie are longtime supporters of CATCH and our mission to spread the Gospel.
We will have pre-registration at Fishtales in Cleveland on Friday night, 5/4. The address is 5008 Georgetown Road NW. It will begin about 5:15PM and it will end about 6:15PM – give or take a few minutes either way. We will start when we get set up so there is no wait in line. This will be first come first serve for launch position. We will blast off in groups of 20 on Saturday morning. If you cannot attend, you can send someone in your place. A non-participant can only pre-register one boat. You can sign up at the ramp Saturday morning until 7:00am.
Rules can be seen at www.catchministry.net and you can also download and print a waiver form on our site as well. Fill it out before arriving Saturday and save yourself some time. Blast-off at safelight Weigh-in at 3:00pm $60 per boat – which includes big fish $20 one-time processing fee per fisherman for your first tournament – NO EXCEPTIONS
TEAM CATCH
KevinJohnson
President, Co-Founder
Kevin has been a part of CATCH since the beginning. He is the founding president and has a passion for sharing the Gospel and the competitive spirit that it takes to fish against the best of the best in Southeast Tennessee. It is his desire to share his personal testimony and let folks know that God loves us all and will be with each of us in the most difficult circumstances that life can throw at us.
He married his soulmate, Terry, in 1986 and they have three children - Caleb, Levi and Madilynn. He is a 1988 graduate of Carson-Newman College where he was a member of the varsity baseball team. He is an ordained deacon at Westwood Baptist Church where he has been a member since 1989. He has been a self-employed Farmers Insurance agent since August of 2017.
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KeithGombash
Vice-President, Co-Founder
Keith has a passion for ministry that started when he and 2 others founded CATCH Ministry in 2006. He helped others develop it into a functional nonprofit focusing on leading others to Christ through the sport of fishing. Keith is a lifelong fisherman and realized that when God mixes your passion with His purpose, it becomes a sustainable ministry. Keith is a part of a great group of men and women that minister the gospel on our local rivers and lakes.
Keith has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region and has been the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year in 2009 and 2011, representing CATCH and its Board. His expertise includes fundraising and marketing for nonprofits. Keith has 2 children, Christopher and Ashley and one grandson, Cooper (who is the apple of his eye) “Our mission is to proclaim the gospel truth without compromise until Christ takes us home”
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RoyMcCarter
Treasurer
Roy was born into a Southern Baptist family in Cleveland, Tennessee. He has served as the treasurer of CATCH Ministry for several years. Roy enjoys being a part of CATCH where he can do something that he loves and spread the Gospel of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Roy is married to Shelly McCarter, the love of his life. They are blessed with 3 children and 8 grandchildren that they adore. He has worked at Miller Industries as a welding Supervisor for over 30 years.
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TimHurst
Chaplain
Tim was interested in CATCH for the fellowship involving fishing which he has always enjoyed. He feels that God used the sport of fishing to grow his Kingdom and to allow the ability for believers to minister to all anglers he sends our way. Tim believes that not only are the people in CATCH fellow anglers but also messengers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. More importantly they are brothers and sisters being the hands and feet of Christ.
Tim has been married for over 40 yrs to his to his lovely bride Gail. They have 2 sons, 2 daughters in love, and 4 grandchildren.
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BillyBigham
RussellHall
Russell Hall has been in ministry for over 34 years. He served as a youth pastor for 30 years in Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. He is currently serving as the Administrative Pastor at Mt Olive Ministries in Cleveland, TN. During his free time he enjoys tournament fishing or just fishing for fun.
He is married to Cindy and they have two children. Their son Logan, is married to Keri Ann Hall (Mayfield) and he can often be found fishing with Russell. Their daughter is MacKenzie and she is currently a full time college student.
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WesKliner
Wes is a member of the CATCH Board of Directors. As an attorney, Wes helped Kevin Johnson and Keith Gombash legally form CATCH in 2006, got it licensed as a Tennessee not-for-profit ministry, and then certified as a 501(c)(3) under IRS regulations. Wes now works as a federal agency Administrative Law Judge, and is married to a lawyer. Wes obviously likes to fish, sings barbershop in the Sound of Tennessee chorus, and occasionally has time to play golf.
He and his wife have twins; attend Westwood Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon, sings in the choir, and teaches Sunday School.
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TournamentCommittee
Andy Goins, Billy Bigham, Verlyn Corbin
TournamentCommittee
Dewayne Bigham, Darrell Hammonds, Randy Mayton, James Townsend
