I'd like to take this opportunity to write to you regarding the development of a Ross Road Men's Ministry. For as long as I can remember, and according to those who remember farther back than I've been around, there has long been a lack of a coordinated Men's Ministry at Ross Road.

If you're like me, you've more than likely recognized a need for such a ministry. Men, despite popular belief, are social beings who thrive on community, comradery and accountability. Men love a challenge and love opportunities to prove them selves capable of accomplishing goals.

When I look, someone enviously at the wonderful women's ministry which takes place at Ross Road, I find myself wondering how many of our men, feeling lost in the crowd of people at our Church, feel some-what obligated to attend because of the relationships and opportunities their wives or girlfriends have so readily available.

As I ponder the state of our leadership I wonder where our comrodry has gone? Do we as Men stand-up and support one another? Do we rally around a common objective? Do we understand the challenges our leaders face? Do we recognize the agony that those Men who so graciously lead us go through while seeking to do the Lord's will? I am guilty of negativity towards those in leadership and wonder if I knew them, knew their hearts, had relationship with them, or knew them more than simply a face in leadership, would I have a greater appreciation for the task which God has called them too.

With the economy in turmoil, the family-model being destroyed, and Satan attacking our men from every angle, we as Men need to team together to spur one another on. Let us insulate one another from attacks from Satan. Let us encourage one another to press on in the battle and let us bring each other before God in intercession and prayer.

To borrow from Martin Luther King, I too have a dream. My dream is a Church where the Men have come together to encourage one another, where the men rally around a common goal, a Church where the Men bring each other before God in prayer, a Church where the Men, the head of the house-hold set an example for their Children and wives, a Church where walls and past hurts are given an opportunity to be broken down and healed. A Church that shares a vision for the lost and together as a brotherhood begin to impact their community for the Glory of God and a Church that allows Men to be the true Man that God calls them to be, not the "Manly" one that the world projects!

To be perfectly honest I'm not exactly sure how God will go about doing this work at Ross Road but I do know that it starts with prayer and intentional action. Over the past few months I have been meeting with many of you to discuss what you need in terms of a men's ministry. Thank you for taking the time to share your heart with me. To those I have not met with, if you want to talk - please call. As a result of these meetings I have begun forming the foundations of our Men's ministry:

The Men's ministry is a means by which to communicate opportunities for men to build relationships, encourage one another and grow in their faith. In a nut shell this means that the men's ministry is a communications network. As opportunities present them-selves we want to be able to invite all the men to participate. Be it a football game, round of golf, water ski trip, photography outing or simply grabbing a coffee - we want to make it easy to include other men. This concept allows for any and all men's related events to be connected and promoted. By joining our "network" you will be invited from time-to-time to various, interest based events (after all it's easier to build relationships while engaging in an interest than trying to force a conversation). You will also be invited to participate in ongoing men's ministry activities (whatever those may be).

The key is to meet the men in activities that we are already doing. I recognize that everyone is busy and don't want another program. Instead, we want to recognize opportunities to include others in our lives and use those opportunities to glorify God.

Will you join me in praying for this ambitious endeavor and may you share in the belief that through God All Things Are Possible!