Aiming High

Editor's note: This is one in a series of PE News articles on people in the Assemblies of God under the age of 20 who are making an impact in their communities.

Participating in long-range shooting competitions is common for ex-military snipers and shooting instructors. But who would think a 10-year-old boy could outshoot the experts?

Collin Edwards, a 10-year-old from Pinedale, Wyoming does just that. Collin’s family enjoys hunting, but Duke and Beth Edwards knew their son had a gift when Collin was only 8 years old and shot a coyote from 817 yards away.

“That was game changer,” Duke says. “Not very many people can do that, let alone at 8.”

Collin competes at shooting competitions that range from 600 yards to one mile against adults with years of experience. He often wins. The U.S. Army, U.S. Olympic shooting team, and hunting television shows all have contacted Collin because of his skill.

“He competes against the cream of the crop,” Duke says. “He is the only kid there.”

Because of his elite talent at such a young age, Collin has attracted a bevy of corporate sponsors, including Savage Arms, Vortex Optics, Huskemaw Optics, The Best of the West, King's Camo, and Mac's Gunworks.

“Most just want to help him because he is a kid, no strings attached,” Duke says. Because of the ties, Collin receives free equipment such as guns and binoculars that he couldn’t afford to pay for himself.

Many shooters use a bench rest or lie in the prone position. However, Collin’s legs and arms are not long enough to use these techniques. Instead, he kneels on the ground, sets his gun on a tripod, and holds the gun to his shoulder as if he is hunting. To many shooters, that’s a huge disadvantage, but Collin still comes out on top in many of his competitions this way.

“If everyone had to shoot the same way as Collin they wouldn’t be able to compete with him,” Duke says.

Collin says his dream is to use his talent to help others and to serve God. One way he would like to do this is by joining the Army Rangers as a sniper. The Army first contacted the Edwards family about signing Collin up a couple of years ago, after he bested an Army sniper instructor at a shooting competition.

One day Collin would like to use his shooting skills to help people overseas. For example, he learned that New Zealand is overpopulated with a dozen species of game animals, ranging from the Sambar deer to the Himalayan tahr. So Collin came up with the idea to hunt the edible animals and distribute meat to villages — sharing the gospel with residents during the process.  

Collin also is explicit about his faith during daily life. At Wilderness Church in Pinedale, where his parents are lead pastors, Collin is involved in Junior Bible Quiz and prays for other kids during services.

At shooting events, competitors view Collin as someone who possesses good sportsmanship, is friendly, and is mature for his age. Collin uses opportunities in hunting and outdoor magazine and television show interviews, on his website, and on social media to talk about his love for God.

“I hope that my shooting talents can be used to glorify Jesus, and share His love with as many people as I can,” Collin says.