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FORT WORTH—A “nobody from Nowhere, Texas” is what the History Channel’s “Top Shot” for season three, Dustin Ellermann, called himself in an interview given to the National Rifle Association recently. Although he had watched the show and was a big fan, the thought of actually being a contestant wasn’t even a thought for this Christian kids’ camp director who told his story at Southcliff Baptist Church in Fort Worth last month.
Sixteen contestants are chosen out of thousands to “shoot it out” for the title of “Top Shot.” This is a title given to a marksman—man or woman—who can withstand physically demanding, almost impossible, challenges with accuracy and endurance.
The prize: $100,000, and the prestigious title of “Top Shot.”
The contestants included a national revolver champion, two homeland security agents, a former Navy SEAL, two cops, a nurse and several firearms instructors. Two of the competitors were self-taught, including Ellermann.
Asked why he applied for the show, Ellermann said, “Really, I was told by a friend that I should put my name in to the History Channel for Top Shot, and thought it sounded fun. I didn’t think I’d hear back from them though.”
He added, “I just sent an e-mail with my picture and said, ‘Hey, I work at a Christian kids’ camp, I’m a foster parent, love God, love kids, oh, yeah, and I like to shoot and I’m pretty good at it too.’”
He was called the next day out of 20,000 who had applied.
“I know I was chosen as the ‘token’ Christian guy,” Ellermann said with a smile, “but I think it was God’s favor.”
During the show, comments were made to Ellermann by other contestants saying, “Aren’t you supposed to be at your Christian camp teaching kids how to read the Bible?” Yes, he does that too.
With a pregnant wife, two children, and many more responsibilities as the director for Camp His Way in the small town of Zavalla in the piney woods of East Texas, Ellermann left for the competition. “It was tough, I had to be away from my family for a total of six weeks,” Ellermann said. “But I knew that God had a plan in it; I mean how else would any of this had happened?” Dustin said through the experience he was able to be a quiet yet widely heard witness for Jesus Christ.
“I was in an environment that I wasn’t used to, being surrounded by some pretty rough and tough characters,” Ellermann said, “but I wasn’t given this gift by the Lord to show up and judge or condemn those around me … I was there to be Jesus to all who surrounded me, and show love and acceptance.”
For example, “The first week I was there I think it was, one of the ‘coolest’ guys on the set came up to me and said, ‘Hey, Dustin, I’ve been watching you and how you react to things.’ ‘Uh-Oh,’ I thought to myself. But then he went on to say, ‘You’re one of the coolest Christians I know.’”
“I must’ve been doing what I should be doing with these guys,” Ellermann said.
Despite the drama going on between the competitors, Ellermann said he was just there for fun. He was considered the odd man out with no training or professional title, but Ellermann wasn’t trusting in his credentials to get him through. Rather he was trusting in God.
Carroll Marr, pastor of Southcliff, said: “I wanted our people, those who know Christ, to walk away with an understanding that God can and will use them to accomplish his purposes. Even our hobbies can be tools in God’s hand.”
Ellermann’s appearance that Sunday was also used as an evangelism tool to attract those who would not have been receptive to his message otherwise.
“The first person I met Sunday morning,” Marr related, “was a man with his son who had heard about the event through a handout at a local gun shop. His son was a fan of the show … and loved Dustin.” The father and son sat on the front row and were engaged through the entire service, though they were not church goers, Marr said.
To read about Ellermann’s ministry, visit camphisway.com.
