I know this may shock you, but America is not the only place in the world where the thought of Men’s Ministries brings Saturday morning breakfast to mind. As a matter of fact, I have discovered that the theme for Men’s Ministries around the world should be “More Than Pancakes”. Or in Great Britain’s case, perhaps “More Than Tea and Scones”.

At the invitation of my good friend Roger Bailey(South Texas District Men’s Director) and my new good friend Rae Galloway(South Wales Assemblies of God Superintendent), I was honored to be part of an exciting effort to advance the cause in the United Kingdom. A series of services in local churches, a morning leadership meeting with pastors and a one-day Men’s Conference were the formula for what I believe will bring a new vision for Men’s Ministries for months and years to come. Roger had the vision to make this available and Rae had the keys to make it happen.

I have rarely been so blessed as when the Welsh opened their homes, churches and hearts to the ministry that we attempted. The beauty of this European nation is exceeded only by the spirit of the pastors and laymen that we met. I was humbled that these great leaders would trust me to share my passion for missions and Men’s Ministries with their people. The highlight of this adventure was truly the Saturday as men filled the room for the conference. I am sure it was all they could do to understand this American and his accent, much less receive our ministry with gratitude.

More than pancakes, tea and scones. I am persuaded that the best days of Men’s Ministries in our Lord’s church are just ahead.

I regret that Men’s Ministries is the weakest ministry in our church.”
 
This is a paraphrase of too many conversations that I have with too many pastors across America. My regret is that it is a reality in too many of our churches. It is a reality that contradicts the plan that Jesus illustrated when He recruited twelve young men and poured His life into them for more than three years with the expressed motive of building His church. That is Church Growth 101.

Jesus Christ was the leader of Men’s Ministries in His church.
 
Pastor, I have an exciting idea that will assist you in leading the growth of Men’s Ministries in your church and community. Follow our Lord’s Matthew 4:19 example by personally recruiting and training men to build His church.

As a matter of fact, challenge your men to “follow me”, their  pastor, to the National Men’s Ministries Leadership Conference in Branson, Missouri.

This is an incredible investment of your personal time and energy that could revolutionize the way your church “reaches, teaches and releases men to grow to their full potential in Christ”. Visit our website at men.ag.org for even more details.
 
I believe that this is one conference that will provide the opportunity to…

•  spend valuable ‘hanging out with guys’ time for you and your men
•  gain ideas that will energize your men’s ministry with a strategic plan throughout the year
•  challenge your men to commit to serving on the pastor’s team
•  help us see men’s ministries as so much more than a monthly breakfast

Please consider this a personal invitation to bring your men to what, I believe, will be one of the best leadership decisions you have ever made. I will be looking for you in Branson!

It’s happening. It really is happening. And this past Sunday was a prime example! And the Sunday before that as well.

Pastors across America are becoming aware of the benefits of strong Men’s Ministries in the local church. I had the honor of responding to the invitations of pastors to “please come and motivate my men to get off the church pew and pursue the adventure of men’s ministries”.

In both cases, it was inspirational as I personally witnessed men gathering around their pastor in a significant time of commitment. Their commitment was not only to the Lord, but to the man of God He had placed in authority over them. It is refreshing to see pastors modeling Christ as they look to their own and boldly challenge them to “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”.

I have never been more convinced that the best in men’s ministries is yet to come! Thank you for all you are doing to make it so.

This February may be the most hectic I have experienced to date, but
never more gratifying. And the best of it may have happened today
during a brief conversation with a tenderhearted grandfather.

The National Men’s Ministries Leadership Conference earlier this month
was a dream come true. Three years ago we imagined what could happen
with an event for local, district and national leaders coming into one
place to seek God’s direction for pentecostal men across America. The
dream came true when more than 250 leaders prayed together,  worshiped
the Lord,  and learned from each other. One of the highlights was when
district leaders committed to work toward a goal of more than two
million dollars for LFTL in 2009. What a way to start a month!

The next ten days were spent with Pen Florida LFTL Coordinator Baldy
Boyd. A team of speakers including my friend David Raley spread across
the state on the annual banquet tour. Almost a million dollars in
faith promises have been received with several banquets yet to come.
What a way to spend winter days in Florida!

And now for today. It was the closing service of the Southern Idaho
Men’s Retreat. I preached on being faithful to your family. The
tenderhearted grandfather approached me after the service with these
words, “If only I had heard this sixty years ago.” He  actually
expressed this with a smile on his face as he realized it wasn’t too
late. He still had grandchildren to influence…God’s second and third
chances.

Yes, it has been a busy month. But rewarding. And the further I go,
the more I am convinced that the best is yet to come.

What a way to spend a life!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a sports fan. If we have spent any time together, you probably know that I am a huge fan of the Oklahoma Sooners. As the fight song goes, “I’m Sooner born and Sooner bred and when I die, I’ll be Sooner dead.” As a result, other sports fans know that today, January 8 is a very significant day to this and every other Sooner. Maybe you have heard about it: The BCS National Championship.

There was a time in my life that the results of a game like this would have had a major impact on my psyche. Don’t misunderstand me. I will be ecstatic if we win and temporarily insane if we lose. But please notice the priority of the word, temporarily. It is a game. As competitive as I am, it is fun to win and upsetting to lose. But it is a game. No matter the results tonight, the real challenges and victories of life will be here tomorrow.

You see, in the past twenty four hours, I have been notified that a very dear friend remains in the hospital recovering from major injuries from an auto accident. This morning’s e-mails brought news that a very young mother, one of our former campers, will be subjected to a biopsy this afternoon. The latest phone call informed us that a good friend/leader in North Dakota is dealing with cancer and the major surgery that accompanied it. Yesterday’s calls included two very close friends that are consumed with finding God’s next step for their lives.

Tonight is a game. My cheers will not be heard in Miami. My screams at the television will have no impact on the final score. But my prayers and personal expressions of concern just might make a difference where it really counts. Those realities are not a game. But no matter the final outcome, we are guaranteed victory because it is all in the hands of God.

Pastor Tommy Moore said it better than I, “You know your church is way out in the woods when you are fourteen miles from the nearest Piggly Wiggly”. I had my detailed directions in one hand and the steering wheel tightly gripped with the other. Drive north through Bonifay, turn left at the flashing caution light, ten miles to the school, and then right two miles and you will see the church. No need to bring the cell phone, there is no service.

As I followed the directions, I was impressed as I looked up to see not only a beautiful sanctuary, but a gorgeous, well groomed church campus…and a parking lot filled primarily with pick up trucks. My opportunity was to preach to more than 250 men at a weekend men’s conference provided by West Florida’s Carmel Assembly of God. The atmosphere was charged from the opening worship set as men hungry for God exceeded the expectancy I had experienced in more than one hundred youth camps.

In our culture that challenges men to be REAL MEN, this event redefined what that is. The room did not lack for big bruisers from all walks of life. Some older, some younger, some salesmen, some students, all hard working men, we had one thing in common. There was a genuine love for Jesus Christ and a respect for each other. And by the way, real men do cry.

I only wish you could have looked into the tearful eyes of Highway Patrolman Jason as he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was moved as he personally shared his commitment to follow through on the tough decisions of a young man giving control of his life to the Lord.

Look up to Jeffrey, the 6’ 9” deputy sheriff from Pensacola. You will see tears flowing down his cheeks as he intently worshiped God. Look around the room as grown men collapse at the altar overwhelmed by the presence of the Spirit.

We let society convince us that real men are only those who can sack quarterbacks, bring down the buck from 300 yards and press 300 pounds or more. That is impressive, but I had the honor of spending three days with real men…men of God.

The seventeen year old high school senior left each day at 11:00 am on a work permit. His daily destination was the construction site of Grace Assembly of God in south Oklahoma City. At some point in each afternoon’s work itinerary, the local youth pastor would bring the strange greetings of “Hey fathead, how are you doing?”. Believe it or not, it was a welcome greeting. It was also the beginning of a lifetime friendship. I was that student and Keith Elder was the youth pastor.

It was certainly a blessing to be in Hungry Horse, Montana this past Saturday night as Keith and Marlys Elder were honored for twenty nine years of amazing service as District Youth and Education Directors. In my commitment to abbreviate these blog entries, I will not attempt to appropriately list their accomplishments. Simply stated, the Elders are living legends in Assemblies of God youth ministries. Even better, Pam and I consider them to be among our dearest friends. What a gift from God!

The lesson in this for all of us is that we should see every young person as a good opportunity for investment. I will always be grateful for the youth pastor who sowed into the life of this fathead.