Dupree Powerlifting Team
In the community of Dupree, a powerlifting team has developed as a ministry of Dupree Baptist Church. In the Dupree community, many young people have no fathers, or at times any parents at all, in the home. Pastor at Dupree Baptist Church, Shannon Hinrichs, has invested in young people in the community as the church has hosted youth group after power-lifting practice. Pastor Shannon reports that he has seen two athletes come to know the Lord and had the privilege of baptizing both of them. Their team competed as the only West River powerlifting team until last year, when one other team from the Black Hills began competing.
The sport continues to grow. Pastor Shannon reports that last year’s state finals had 350 lifters and says that this year Dupree Powerlifting was able to coordinate a meet at BHSU. Dupree was represented at this meet with 4 lifters from Dupree (out of 20 total) taking first place in their weight classes, along with 2 second place winners and 2 ranking in third place. Pastor Shannon says, “We are planning on making it an annual event, allowing more teams to participate.”
