![]() ![]() It transcended some of my hang ups and worries about men's ministry. I knew these guys had a thing that was important and powerful for followers of Christ. Challenging, powerful, crucial stuff, but then the second half of the experience occurred. I muscled through and made it to the Forrest Glen site in time.įor most of the first half of the weekend I experienced solid men's retreat stuff. on Friday and was supposed to be in Huntsville, TX at 5 p.m. I had to meet my sister in Shell Knob to pack up the house, meet the movers and take the boat back to Texas. He was needing to resettle in Charlotte, NC from Shell Knob, MO due to critical health issues my step-mother was facing. Then my father called the Sunday before the weekend in Huntsville. I signed up.įollowing my registration, I was laid off from work, I was in the throws of job hunting, and I was challenged on a level I hadn't been for some time. ( Checkout the program) Much of what they shared with me was similar to experiences I had had with men's ministries previously, but the intensive approach they were taking sounded interesting and they were hosting an intensive in Texas in March of 2014 in the piney woods of Huntsville, TX. They shared about their ministry with our audience and I was intrigued. Enter Marked Men For ChristĪbout a month before that fateful day in February 2014 while I was hosting the Sunday Night Discussions podcast with Steve Hinton, I had had the privilege of meeting Steve "Spice" Spicer and John Lager the co-founders of the Marked Men For Christ ministry. However, I was mostly excited about the fact that one way or another my question was going to be answered. I was overwhelmed by the lack of understanding of my worth and value in the marketplace. I was disappointed in what seemed to be wasted loyalty on my part. I was concerned about my future employment. ![]() In February 2014, after 15 years of employment with my company, I was laid-off. I spent at least three weekends over a four year period at parks and campgrounds in solitude and prayer trying to get clear on this question. I pondered the realities of my abilities with friends I trust. I sought the input and advice of mentors. I spent time considering it with family. ![]() "Do you really want me to spend what I believe will be the 20 most productive years of my life making PowerPoint decks and Spreadsheets?" This is a question that begs a particular answer and truthfully is seeking a "No" response. Sometime around 2010, when I found myself approaching 45 years of age and when I was truly wondering what should be the next direction for my career, I began asking God a question. However, I deeply believe the teaching of Christ has the power to overcome these barriers. Additionally, our current culture isn't always conducive to deep meaningful relationships that lead to true life change. We don't like to look at our weaknesses and can quickly weary of the weaknesses of another. The organics that are necessary for men to be able to walk with each other can be a difficult thing to get right. I had made several attempts to recreate the thing I had in that season with other men over a period of years with some success and a lot of failure. A passion for Men's Ministry was seeded in me. ![]() It was a rich and deep experience that opened my eyes to the power of Christ in a body of men who follow His name. Unfortunately, that body no longer gathers together, but the time I spent with those men reshaped my theology and my love for the gospel and the power it has to change a man completely. After moving to the Austin, TX area in 1999, I soon found myself in a room with men who loved Christ and who were devoted to helping each other walk and grow in their love of Christ and His teaching. The story for me is one that has developed over the past 20 years. ![]()
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