Hope Community Church, Weisenberg Township, recently sponsored its 11th Sportsmen’s Banquet.

The evening started with an introduction and welcome by Bill VanArtsdalen followed by a blessing by Pastor Ken Kalisz.

Dinner was then served with various wild game was on the menu.

Wild boar sausage, venison meatloaf, venison stroganoff, venison chili, bear chili, roast turkey and rabbit pot pie along with other savory treats dominated the aromas wafting throughout the church.

After dinner, Dan Christ, well known Kempton wildlife artist, gave a speech describing his inspirations for some of his paintings.

He noted that “lighting is the key” when painting.

He credited God for guiding him through life and helping him overcome obstacles that were thrown in his path.

In 2018, Christ will celebrate his 40th year as a wildlife artist.

Christ told those gathered he draws on his memories as a child growing up on the family dairy farm along the Blue Mountain.

“These times instilled in me a love of the outdoors,” Christ said, adding he enjoyed hunting with his brother and cousins.

These experiences heightened his interest in wildlife and the outdoors and were the inspiration for some of his paintings.

He was also involved with photography as a hobby, which increased his drive to explore the outdoors.

Upcoming events at Hope Community Church are a soup, salad and spuds dinner 5-7 p.m. Feb. 24, Easter egg hunt 11 a.m. March 24; and a yard sale starting at 8 a.m. May 26.