A NOTE FROM DAVE

We praise and thank Him for all He’s done, is doing, and is going to do through us, The Band 814 and 814 Worship Ministries. 

My name is Dave Lefebre, I fish professionally on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. (www.majorleaguefishing.com)

Lately, I find myself going through some intense struggles in my 22-year fishing career. I believe it is a spiritual battle and that God is trying to move a sometimes stubborn me closer toward Him and his calling on my life. 

In the final tournament of 2021 in Detroit, MI, on my home waters of Lake Erie, I bombed. I caught zero fish on day one. The chances of winning the lottery are better than that.

This event was so important in many ways, my entire season and point standings were on the line. To secure a championship berth, a large check, and several bonuses, all I needed was a 32nd place finish in this final tournament. This should've been automatic. My prayer was simple, God please show me what it is you want me to focus on, the 814 ministry, or fishing? Fishing for bass, or men? I begged for a miracle and that’s exactly what I got in Detroit. I finished second to last out of the top 79 fishermen in the world, lost around $75,000, and the potential for much more. I was devastated.

It wasn’t until I began driving home, crushed in spirit, when I realized what had just happened was the miracle I had been praying for. It hit me like a ton of bricks, and at that moment I finally got what God was trying to tell me. It wasn’t pleasant, or the miracle I wanted, but it was the one I needed. And since that day, my desire to be an open vessel, to focus on ministry, and to start an outreach rooted in my local community, has never been stronger.

My Brief History

I started playing drums at Erie First Assembly at 9 years old. I grew up in church, 4-5 days a week, every week until I was 25. After that period, I never really backslid, always believed, prayed, read my bible, but like everyone who is honest, I was lukewarm throughout various times in my life.

Through those early church years, we attended many revivals, tent meetings, musical festivals, etc, and I kept getting prophecies. I don't know what your views are on this, but here is basically what was told to me repeatedly for 10 years. "God has a special plan for you, you will have a big platform, be in front of thousands, be a witness to many people and lead many to be saved". 

Before I started fishing professionally, I tried forming multiple bands, but I could never get a strong Christian core group together. So I dabbled in secular music and went on the road with a professional country/rock band for 5 years to gain experience. We toured the eastern US, opening for many famous country artists. Doors were opening for me, so I rationalized it as maybe God working? Wishful thinking maybe, but I learned a lot. I never drank, smoked, or got into the road/groupie lifestyle, I just wanted to play music full time and I simply took the opportunity. Looking back, I am glad I had the experience, but it was unfulfilling.

In 2001, I was able to also compete in 2 separate regional bass tournament circuits. The band worked around the 6 weekends I needed to fish. To make a long story short, I qualified for both top level professional fishing tours at the same time, the FLW Tour and the Bassmaster Tour. it was a huge “oops, what did I just do” moment in my life, I literally had no idea what to do. As luck would have it, at the exact same time, I was noticed by a scout in Virginia Beach at a club called, The Banque. I was given the opportunity to private audition for the band Lone Star, playing bass and singing high harmony. At the same time, my wife, Anne, was pregnant and we were about to have our first child. After intense prayer and discussion with Anne and our family, and many others, I chose to fish, and the rest is literally history.

What’s Happening Now 

Now, 20 years later… I've had a great career. I was blessed to be able to travel the country for 15 years with my family, thanks to Anne's homeschooling skills, unbelievable family work ethic and commitment. Needless to say, we wouldn't have made it without her. It is now 2023 and I’m in my 22nd year of professional bass fishing, and though more focused on ministry now, I have no plans to stop fishing at the highest level any time soon.

Thinking back, I vividly remember those prophecies. I dream about them sometimes, and ask God, How? When? What's the deal? And I don't hear a definitive voice, I never have, I just feel things and experience repeated confirmations. All I know is that there is a reason for it all, and so we just continue to march. 

We, the team I am marching with, is an amazing group of people. It is not just the band members, but also the helpers and a solid foundation of passionate prayer warriors we have assembled. The story of how everyone on the 814 crew came together consists of miracle after miracle, and we are excited to watch it grow, as more people latch on to our vision and want to be involved. Each individual story is incredible, this just happens to be mine.

I admit that I don’t know exactly where all of this is going, all I know is that it is what I am supposed to do. I’m so sure of that, that if everyone quits tomorrow, and it turns into just me fumbling through songs on acoustic guitar, trying to sing by myself…I will. I don't want to sing and I don't want to play guitar, lol, but I will do whatever it takes.

Over the past year, since we started this outreach, we have met so many new people, and learned so much. We have been through a lot together, both good and bad, which has pulled us closer as a family. We understand that if you're a believer in God, you are also a believer in the Devil. And the more we do for God, the more we see the Devil try to sneak in and defeat us. We are keenly aware of this and are prepared for a constant battle, which we know has already been won. 

Sincerely,

Dave Lefebre

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