IPHC Men's Ministries Heard from the Pew

Men's Ministries

Heard From The Pew

2007 National Royal Ranger Camporama

Submitted by, Sam Mehaffie – Saving Our Boys

Awesome! What a great experience.

I volunteered to work at this year's camporama back in January at the "Bridging Our Ministries Conference." Bill Terry was talking to the guys about the importance of Men's Ministry becoming involved in this great event. He really made it sound exciting and as I listened to him I thought, "This is something I'd like to get involved with." When I volunteered, Bill didn't hesitate to accept my willingness to attend.

I arrived at the campgrounds on Monday morning, July 16th. At lunch, I met the other guys who were already there and was assigned to work with three of them putting up the canopies. It was hard work and it was hot...but what fun! I never heard a complaint from anyone. Even though those guys worked really hard, all I ever heard was, "it's for the boys." Here we were, just a bunch of men working hard to get things ready for our "little brothers" to come and have some fun and, in the process, be ministered to.

On Wednesday the campers arrived and, before the evening service, they lined up to march into the tabernacle -- hundreds of boys in their camp T-shirt and hats; an awesome sight. That evening, hundreds of boys also raised their hands for salvation, to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts as their Savior and Lord. Now, that's what it was all about! That's why these guys worked so hard to make this a special week for these Royal Rangers.

David Moore, the Royal Ranger National Commander, asked me to give the morning devotions to three different groups, then to "hang out" with that group for the day. I got to speak to all the boys over the next three days about my life experience. I told them how my father left me when I was 12, and was totally out of my life from then on: no Christmas cards, birthday cards, no contact at all. Using Jeremiah 29:11, I told them that God cared for them no matter what they were going through, that He had plans for them and that we all have hope in Jesus Christ no matter what problems in life we face.

Each morning I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as these guys sat on the ground and listened. After the devotion time I just "hung out" with them at the lake area. I spent most of my time at the zip line area meeting and talking with guys. Many gave me hugs and more talked to me in the line about what they were going through. There were times that boy after boy came up to me and asked if we could talk; we would find a spot under a tree and sit and talk.

I had the privilege of talking, praying and even crying with so many boys those three days. Boys like the 11-year old who said, "Sam, I'm just like you."

"Like me" I said.

"Yeah, just like you."

"How are you like me?" I asked him.

"My dad left me two years ago and I haven't got any birthday cards or Christmas cards from him either; I haven't seen my dad and I miss him."

I put my hand on his shoulder, we walked over and sat down under a tree and I shed tears with him, knowing the hurt he was feeling.

Then there was the 13-year old whose heart was breaking because of problems his mom and dad were facing; he shared with me under that tree what had happened and how he felt about it. And the 16-year old who still missed his father even though he'd left many years ago. This young man told me that there are still nights when he thinks about his dad and falls asleep crying.

As I'm writing this, I'm also thinking about one 12-year old who was sitting under that same tree with me. I told him, "You need to go over and do your zip line; I think all your friends have gone, you don't want to miss it." He said, "That’s OK, I don't care if I miss it, they're all done anyway." So we sat and continued talking, and I prayed with him. When we got up, one of his commanders came over to get him hooked up for the zip line. I watched him as he took a great ride over the lake and back. He then ran over to me and gave me a big hug, said thanks, took a picture and went off with his commander to catch up with his buddies.

After that first day "hanging out" with the boys, I talked to my wife, Darlene, and she said, "Boy, you were right in your element, weren't you? I bet you want to go back next year." She was right, but unfortunately it's not a yearly event. But a few Commanders talked to me about coming to their Pow Wow's in 2008, something that I hope works out.

I will never forget Camporama 2007. It was truly an awesome experience, definitely where my heart is. Men's Ministry should be a major part of what's happening in Royal Rangers. Men like the ones I met at the Camporama need to get involved in some way to help and work with these boys, to be an example to them and share the burden.

After all, these boys are tomorrow’s husbands, fathers and leaders. We need to help them become the men God made them to be. Godly men multiplying Godly men. This was a great experience. Thanks Bill for allowing me to be a part of Camporama 2007.

Pennsylvania Conference

Submitted by, Danny Parsons – Conference Men’s Ministries Director

August 2, 2007

On the first Saturday in September, New Harvest Outreach will conduct a Crosswalk in Lorain County, Ohio. For the past 2 years men walked 9 miles from Lorain City Hall to Elyria City Hall carrying a 6 ft wooden cross. The mayor declared the day a National Day of Men with Integrity and gave a proclamation in honor of that day. This year women will join the walk to take a united stand. The mayor has declared September 1, 2007 the National Day of People with Integrity. The local newspaper has provided coverage of the event with photos of the walk and an informative article. The vision for this year has expanded to include prayerwalking as we go. As we walk the nine+ miles, we will pray over the community, businesses and homes that we pass. The event will begin with prayer at Lorain City Hall as we pray over the leaders of the community and will end at Elyria City Hall as we pray over the leaders of that community. Our vision is to have a Crosswalk in each community around the county. The Body of Christ is awakening to the value of united prayer. We have determined to impact our communities through prayer.

Cornerstone Conference Men’s Ministries Director

Submitted by Ken Church

February 5, 2007

The Redland Pentecostal Holiness Church kicked off its 2007 Men's Ministries with a "Samson Sunday" on January 28. Pastor Jonathan Hill challenged his men in the morning service to learn from Samson's mistakes and develop accountability relationships with Christian brothers. After a passionate call to action from new Men’s Ministries Director Kendall Chaffin, dozens of Redland men came forward for prayer ... sporting bold-looking T-shirts in a variation of the new "Empowering Men" logo. Cornerstone Conference Men's Ministries Director Ken Church, who was blessed to attend Samson Sunday, stoked the flames of spiritual renewal at the Super Bowl weekend cookout with a message titled "The Marks of a Godly Man." Around 50 men were in attendance. The Redland church is excited and growing... and the men are leading the charge!

North Carolina Disaster Relief (DRUSA) Team Need You!

January 30, 2007

The next two disaster relief teams will be leaving for Moss Point, Mississippi on the weeks of February 18 and February 25, 2007. Do you have an interest in being on a team? Would you like to receive information on how several of your men can go? Call Gordon Knox at (252) 395-2000 or (252) 345-0632, email Gordon at grknox1@aol.com.

The goal of the North Carolina DRUSA is to send a team every month to help those who are still recovering from hurricane disaster. Your help is needed!

Submitted by Darrel Clowers, RMC West Indies/Caribbean

11-14-2006

Men’s Ministry comes to Dominican Republic!

The men of Dominican Republic welcomed Bishop Ron Moore of the Upper South Carolina Conference, Men’s Director Bob Russo, and Bro. James. Bro. Russo had the vision to raise the funds to put on a Men’s Seminar in the D.R. and it was top notch. They brought with them the keynote speakers director of Men’s Ministry for the IPHC, Rev. Bill Terry, and Dr. Dan Erickson. All these men poured their lives into the men of the D.R.

Over 70 men were in attendance! These men arrived early and were in anticipation of what God had for the men of the D.R. Great teaching and training took place. A lot of materials for training were left, along with shirts, hats, label pins, and much more. Not only did they provide all this, there was also a wonderful banquet luncheon for all the men. One of the men from the country hadn’t ever been to such a nice restaurant where they used cloth napkins. He went to missionary Darrel Clowers and asked if he was allowed to wipe his faced with it. Missionary Darrel Clowers was humbled by this man. At times we take for granted a simple meal at a restaurant. For that day these men were made to feel special and loved!

Men’s Ministry chartered 19 churches in the Dominican Republic. Thanks for a job well done!

Character That Counts

I had the pleasure of being the keynote speaker at the Western North Carolina (Cornerstone) region meeting hosted at Browns Summit, NC on September 8-9, 2006. I spoke on what it means to be a man of character, integrity and accountability. The response from the men who attended was very positive!! My point man and host for the weekend was Ken Church from Stoneville, NC. Ken did a terrific job in coordinating the entire weekend which included a great golf tournament to get the weekend rolling. As a result of this weekend, I'll be returning to the North Carolina conference to be part of another IHPC Men's Conference in Falcon, NC on September 14-16, 2007. If you are in the area, I'd love to see you there!!

Rod Handley

Lee’s Summit, MO

Cornerstone Conference

From Ken Church, Conference Men’s Ministries Director

Rod Handley of "Character That Counts" challenged approximately 50 men from Cornerstone Conference in September to live a life of integrity and accountability. Handley, recognized as the "2006 Emerging Leader" of the National Coalition of Men's Ministries (NCMM), moved men's hearts as he transparently shared how God had delivered him from "secret sins" and showed him how to be accountable to Godly friends. Rod weaved together personal experiences, stories ripped from today's headlines and masculine movie clips during a fast-paced weekend retreat in Browns Summit NC. "Rod is the real deal," Cornerstone MM Director Ken Church said. "He doesn't just talk about integrity and personal accountability. He practices it and challenges other men to reap the benefits of that kind of discipline. Our men loved his humility and his transparency, but mostly we loved the God in Rod!"

North Carolina Conference

From Ronnie Basden, Conference Men’s Ministries Director

The North Carolina Conference 2006 Men’s Fall Advance was held in Falcon, NC on September 15^th and 16^th. The weekend began Friday morning with a golf tournament, with the proceeds of $1300.00 raised for the Conference Royal Rangers. The Friday evening schedule began with a dinner followed by praise and worship music supplied by Heaven Sent Ministries of Kinston, NC (http://www.heavensentnc.com).

The evening service was highlighted by two guest speakers: Pastor Don Edeker from New Horizon Ministries in Moss Point, Mississippi and Ernie Denmark, a Gulf Coast resident. Don opened with a slide presentation of pictures showing the devastation that the Gulf Coast experienced from Hurricane Katrina and how New Horizon Ministries and DRUSA helped in the disaster recovery effort in that area.

Ernie spoke of his personal experience with the DRUSA relief teams. Ernie’s heart-warming and sometimes tearful testimony of how God delivered him during this storm and his appreciation for the kindness shown to him touched the hearts of all those present. Our hats go off to the DRUSA teams that are involved in the reconstruction in that area.

At the Saturday morning “Stand-To” (Stand to Arms), Bishop Chris Thompson woke us up with a word from the Lord. He noted that it is time for men to wake up and take back what God has for us; our families, our jobs, and our churches. Men need to take the lead instead of following behind. We are to rise and take ownership of those things that God has entrusted to us.

We missed our scheduled keynote speaker, National Men’s Ministries director, Bill Terry due to a funeral for a family member in Scottsdale, Arizona. God was on the spot, though, and delivered us a wonderful speaker – Pastor Ken Turner from Morehead City, NC. Ken delivered a very moving and heart-searching message on the Advance theme, “It’s Time to Lay Down the Gavel”. He pointed out that we are not to judge and ridicule others but are to love one another and forgive each other. God moved in the service and many men renewed their faith to do God’s work.

Pacific Western Conference

From Stan Reynolds, Conference Men’s Ministries Director

September 9th was an historic day in the Pac West Conference for Men's Ministry as Rev. Bill Terry and Dr. Dan Erickson presented the IMD (Intentionally Making Disciples) workshop. We had a record of 51 men who attended and they were not disappointed. Several pastors told Conference Men's Director (Stan Reynolds) that they were surprised and challenged by the quality and content of the workshop. Word of Life Church in Stockton hosted the event. Pastor Robert Mullen and his hospitality ministry did a first rate job in providing a wonderful lunch for all the men. Everyone was refreshed and left with an excitement to reach the men in our conference. The men of the conference are already looking forward to another event with Dr. Dan Erickson and Bill Terry (Executive Director, IPHC Men’s Ministries) in 2007.