“Adam’s first sin was failing to lead as he passively watched Eve interact with the serpent. He then blamed everyone else, including God, making excuses. Scripture tells us we are to be bold for the cause of Christ, we are to lead, and we are to encourage one another,” said Chris Stackpole, one of the leaders of the Men’s Ministry here at Gashland. “The Men’s Ministry wants to foster relationships through various activities such that we can encourage one another to be bold leaders for Christ.” 

     This year, the Men’s Ministry has hosted different events such as a monthly campfire at the church, discussion of the yearly Bible reading plan, and movie nights to encourage relationships. During the interview, Chris made the point that leadership has to be based out of relationships and community. Without that support, leadership becomes isolating and exhausting. The design of these regular events has been to encourage relationships among the men of Gashland, that they might better spur one another on to good leadership. Chris describes a situation he’s experienced multiple times, saying, “Have you ever had someone ask you on Sunday morning how you were doing? And in a split second in your mind you think ‘I’ve had a rotten week. God seems silent in answering my prayers and I feel disconnected in my Bible reading. But I don’t know you well enough to tell you that, nor do I have the time to tell you how I’m really doing.’ So you simply say ‘Fine.’ Then go on your way. What are the chances the person asking felt the same? Doesn’t this interaction feel wrong in many ways when we call that person a fellow believer in Christ? That conversation changes when that man has spent time with that person around the campfire talking about issues. That conversation changes when that man has been a part of the Friday or Saturday morning Bible studies where they’ve prayed with that person. That conversation changes when that man has sat in the Sunday school class being real with other men. That conversation even changes when that man knows the other person has been reading the daily Bible plan and they can reference the Scripture that those men have been reading together and can talk about passages they find inspiring as well as those they are struggling with. That conversation changes because it isn’t then just a generic greeting with meaningless words. It becomes an interaction with a fellow believer that we can use to know each other better, to pray for one another, and to encourage each other in our walks with God. And the more the men of Gashland can have meaningful conversations, the better it is for God’s kingdom, Gashland, our families, and all aspects of our lives.”