That’s why the Saranac Lake Baptist Church is throwing a free ax-throwing competition at the Brighton Memorial Park on Sunday.

After Schneider goes over the rules with the ax-wielding competitors, he’ll share the gospel and pray before they start chucking.

Several members of the Paul Smith’s College Woodsmen’s Team this semester have attended the church on Sundays.

“A handful of students came to church, and that group seems to grow every Sunday,” Schneider said. “If you’re away from your family, it’s good to have people wrap their arms around you a little bit.”

Peter Dimmig cuts boards for ax-throwing targets outside the Saranac Lake Baptist Church on Wednesday while Erik Van Yserloo prepares the next board. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

He said the ax-throwing event is something relevant to this area and an opportunity for college students, families and anyone to enjoy some community, some barbecue from Potsdam-based Hoof and Horn and some lumberjack fun.

People need hope, love and joy, Schneider said — especially during election season — and he said the gospel provides that.

Schneider said there are parallels between the gospel and the ax-throwing tradition. The word “sin,” translated literally from Hebrew, means “missing the mark,” he pointed out.

“When we invite sin into our lives, which we all do, we miss the mark,” Schneider said. “And that’s why Jesus came for us. … Our relationship with God was severed and Jesus came to repair that.

“Every human being has missed the mark,” he added. “God saw us where we’re at and he send Jesus for us. … He didn’t tell us to shoot better. He knew we’d miss the mark. That’s the gospel. He knew we’d miss the mark and sent his son to pay that for us.”

The church holds two services on Sunday — one at 9 a.m. and another at 10:30 a.m.

The ax-throwing starts at 12:30 p.m. — depending on how long Schneider talks at the church service, he said with a laugh — and the contest will go until 5 p.m.

The contest will follow World Axe Throwing League rules and specifications.

Members of the church were cutting lumber donated by Bloomingdale-based Specialty Lumber Products on Wednesday to craft five targets, which they’ll assemble at a men’s breakfast on Saturday.

Each contestant will get 10 throws per round with three rounds to find a grand champion with the most total points. The grand champion will get an engraved throwing ax. There are also champions for each age bracket in men’s and women’s divisions with cash prizes — $150 for the 15 to 18 category, and $250 for the 18-23, 23-45 and 45-plus categories.

The first 50 people to sign up will also get a goodie bag with North Country essentials like Bye-Bye Black Fly insect repellent, beef jerky, maple syrup, a balsam pillow and Band-Aids.

Registration for the event can be found at tinyurl.com/3au3v2yf.

As of Wednesday, 22 contestants had signed up, but Schneider said church members were waiting to register to allow others to be the first 50 with the goodie bags.

Schneider also said children can play around on the new wooden playground at the park.