CULLMAN, Ala. – Brian and Beth Burchett knew when they bought their farm adjacent to the Bankhead National Forest that God had a greater purpose for them. They soon learned of a program, Truth in Nature, started in Georgia to teach life skills and mentor boys without fathers or in need of positive male role models. The Burchetts now manage the Cullman chapter of the program, the 13th chapter and the first chapter in the state of Alabama of the growing Truth in Nature program.
Brian Burchett explained, “We are an outdoor ministry to fatherless boys. We bring them out and teach them to fish, hunt, hike and camp. That’s the core values behind Truth in Nature all while trying to lead these boys to a relationship with the Lord.”
Each program varies depending on location. Because Cullman is an agricultural area, the boys will also learn about horses, cattle and other lessons on the Burchetts’ farm.
“I do construction and have a woodshop,” said Burchett, “so we are also going to teach them basic carpentry and things they will need to know when they grow up to be able to do basic maintenance and repairs to their own homes”
The Burchetts bought their farm in 2018 after selling their home in Oxford, Alabama. The 105-acre farm is in the Jones Chapel/Water Valley Area.
“The back 40 acres of our property is wooded. It feels just like you are in the Bankhead,” Burchett shared. “It’s got creeks and rock cliffs and hemlock trees. We were hiking back there a couple of months after we bought the farm. Me and my wife both looked at each other and said that we knew the Lord brought us here for something other than us to just be living on this farm. We wanted to use it for ways to give back.”
That’s when the couple began searching and found Truth in Nature. The program was founded by a couple who could not have children of their own, each from fatherless homes. The Burchetts hoped to have their chapter up and going in the spring, but they were delayed due to COVID-19.
Truth in Nature is a free program for boys in grades 6-12. Burchett explained that many boys who graduate from the program end up becoming mentors for the younger boys still in or entering the program.
“They will come out once a month,” he said. “Our first few, we are going to do a day-only program- come out Saturday morning and stay until that afternoon. That gives the boys a chance, and the moms, grandparents or whoever the guardian may be, to get comfortable before just dropping their kids off with somebody.”
He added, “Then we’ll start doing some camping trips, where they’ll come out on Friday night. We’ll have supper and do some devotionals. If we plan to do any hunting, we’ll have a gun safety class on Friday night.”
The Burchetts want to help teach boys to be good men.
“Without having a positive male figure at home, they can get into these groups with kids causing trouble. That’s where they are learning to be a so-called man, from older boys who are not leading them down the right path,” said Burchett. “We just want to show them what it’s meant to be- a good positive role model or a good male figure in their life. Show them what it means to respect others, to respect their mother, and when they get older, respect their wife and respect others. We just want to help change the way things are going in the world these days.”
Not all the lessons will be outdoor “guy” stuff. The boys will also learn etiquette.
Burchett added, “The mentors and their wives will be there for supper and things like that to help us with the kids. They’ll get to see how we are with our wives and the respect we show them. They need to be taught how to take a woman on a date and how to treat one.”
Brain and Beth Burchett worked with the youth group at their church in Oxford. He served as a small group leader for their senior high youth group for many years. They participated in several mission trips to Haiti to work with the children through the Mission of Hope. They bring that experience, as well as several other mentors, to assist with the program’s lessons. All mentors and leaders of Truth in Nature have undergone extensive background checks.
Open house this Saturday!
Cullman’s Truth in Nature chapter will have an open house this Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sportsman Lake Park on the stage and in the neighboring pavilion. It will be cooking and serving barbecue sandwiches, chips, drinks and cookies. There will be fun activities and games including an inflatable slide and cornhole. The Burchetts hope to sign up some young men for the free program, as well as mentors and local businesses interested in partnering with Truth in Nature.
“This will be a great way for folks to stop by, grab a FREE BBQ plate, have a little fun, and learn more about Truth in Nature,” reads the website.
For more information about the Truth in Nature program, visit https://truthinnature.org/cullman-al.
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