Duck Dynasty is the most-watched nonfiction cable television show in history. It tells the story of the Robertson family, one of the greatest success stories in recent memory. Phil Robertson, the patriarch, grew up in northwestern Louisiana, living in a home with no electricity, toilet, or bathtub. His family ate whatever they could grow, catch or shoot.
Phil was an all-state athlete in football, baseball and track, eventually playing quarterback at Louisiana Tech University ahead of future Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw. He and his wife married when she turned 16 and soon had three sons. He was offered a contract by the Washington Redskins but declined since football interfered with duck season. In 1972, he invented the "Duck Commander" duck call, which his family has built into a multi-million dollar empire. He does not own a cell phone or a computer.
Phil and his family attend White's Ferry Road Church in West Monroe, Louisiana, and are very vocal about their commitment to Christ. It wasn't always that way. The Robertsons have now made a testimonial video for "I am Second," a remarkable ministry that has been sharing the faith stories of celebrities and ordinary people for years.
In his video, Phil tells about parties, barroom brawling, infidelity, and drug and alcohol abuse (watch the full video). At one point he hid from police, abandoning his family. His wife told their three small boys, "that's not your Daddy—that's the devil in your Daddy." He owned a beer joint when a man tried to tell him about Jesus, but Phil "ran him off."
Finally his wife convinced Phil to meet with the minister. The man asked, "What do you think the gospel is?" Phil had no idea. When the pastor told him the story of Jesus' life and ministry, Phil says, "I was blown away when I heard that Jesus died for me." They went to the church building, where the pastor baptized him. Phil declared, "I want to make Jesus the Lord of my life. I want to follow him from this day forward."
The Duck Dynasty "I am Second" video is one of the most powerful testimonies I've ever watched. I hope you'll make time today to see it and share it with your friends—especially those who need the message that changed Phil Robertson's life. He's right: "We all go six feet deep in the ground. The grave is a problem. So is sin. Jesus came down in the flesh and solved both of them. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."
Phil says, "I am giving the credit to God Almighty in heaven for the duck call sales... and for my life. We shall see at the end how it turns out. I feel pretty good about it."
So do I.
Publication date: November 25, 2013.