Real Men: Fellowship In Discipleship
As our FinD small group, the Cross Heirs, approaches its 11th anniversary on June 15, 2023, I have to smile, as I reflect on all the “discussions” we have had within our group. There have of course been countless serious discussions on Christ, the Bible, how we have been led, influenced, and grown accordingly. All these discussions have truly been gifts.
However, I treasure so many of the other conversations over the years. Arguing like real brothers, building each other up, and sometimes even knocking each other down a notch or two, as is sometimes needed with men’s egos. No matter what the topic, I believe every discussion has been led by Christ’s spirit and with love in our hearts for each other. These “arguments”, sorry I mean discussions, and day-to-day conversations are the ones that have helped us grow into a tight knit group of friends and brothers. It has been such a blessing to be able to lay my problems at our heavenly Father’s feet accompanied by my earthly Cross Heir brothers.
Thanks Pete, John, Jeff, Mike, Eric and Brian. Love you guys.
Spence is an active member at MDUMC, husband to Marion, dad to two amazing kiddos, Regional President at Trustmark National Bank and a graduate of Mississippi State University. FinD seeks to transform men through Jesus Christ in authentic, weekly Fellowship in Discipleship.
UPCOMING EVENTS…
July 23 - 27th - FinD WayForward Colorado Trip:
FinD WayForward Testimonial Video (featuring Devin Galimore, Hayden Drum and
Juaquin Arellano): https://vimeo.com/481809817/0c3a113dea
FinD WayForward Trip Details: https://www.wayforwardadventures.com/find
This testimonial and many others from FinD men can be found at
https://finddiscipleship.org/testimonials/
Real Men…Real Discipleship.
Want to get plugged in? FinD out more by visiting our website at https://finddiscipleship.org/interest-
form/or or contact us at info@FinDdiscipleship.org.
“Life is not a bowl of cherries!”
This is what my grandmother (Nana) used to tell me when things weren’t going my way. She was a beautifully spiritual woman who was tough but nurturing, and she was trying to teach me, in a way I could understand at a young age, what Bob Goff says, “God isn’t trying to make our lives easier; He wants to make them more meaningful.” Well, you know what isn’t easy, being a faithful disciple of Christ and truly loving others. But guess what – Jesus is love! And He wants us to love “everybody, always!” I promise Bob Goff isn’t the only author we have read.
We need a lot of help to do that, especially as men. These FinD small groups help us develop that personal, authentic relationship with Christ that we all desire, and they do it in a way that hopefully fills our spiritual tanks each week so that we have some love to hand out – to our families, to our friends, and even to strangers! And I know that is meaningful! From everything I experience with my group, the GAIMers (God bless these guys!), to everything I hear from other groups, the FinD model helps men develop strong and real fellowship!
But, let’s face it, it’s easy to get passive about almost anything and that is why the weekly commitment works so well – it keeps us active and coming back for more. Look, if we want to become good at anything else in life, we commit to it, do it often, and do it with all our heart. In other words, we practice. And what’s better than practicing to be more Christ-like? Sure, we fail at it all the time, but it sure helps to have other men on our side to help us get back at it, to be accountable.
That’s a team we all want to be on – and the FinD groups are those teams! In mountain climbing circles, it’s called a rope team, the people you trust with your life while you’re hanging off a cliff. When you are climbing the mountain of life toward God, with all the dangers along the way, these are the guys you want on your rope team! And it’s not like we weren’t given an example – Jesus set up the greatest men’s group of all – the Disciples! Ultimately, Christ calls us to this example of discipleship and all that it means to – “Come, follow me.” (Matthew 4:19). In the end, my group challenges me to quiet the worldly distractions that are all around us and listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit. They are always there when I need them. Maybe in some way, in this difficult world, they are like a bowl of cherries!
Steve is an active member at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, husband to Jeanie, dad to three amazing kiddos, an orthopedic surgeon with UT Physicians (Memorial Herman), and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He also generously serves on the FinD Board of Directors, and previously served on the FinD Discipleship Council.
FinD seeks to transform men through Jesus Christ in authentic, weekly Fellowship in Discipleship.
This testimonial and many others from FinD men can be found at https://finddiscipleship.org/testimonials/
UPCOMING EVENTS...
Real Men…Real Discipleship.
Want to get plugged in? FinD out more by visiting our website at https://finddiscipleship.org/interest-form/.
I have been inspired by the amazing things FinD has done in my life and for those men around me. So, I’m passionate about paying that forward and continuing the experience for others. I believe we are part of something truly special -- a movement that can free men from the bondage of spiritual complacency and breathe new life into our relationships with our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In that journey, however, there are many challenges, and the Enemy will actively try to thwart our efforts. So, as Christian disciples and FinD members, we must gear up and be active in the fight, using our talents and gifts to further the mission.
Throughout my life, I had very few role models for what it meant to be a Christian man, to
be a follower of Jesus with being a husband, father, friend, employee, etc. In fact, I had
more negative examples than positive! This led to a lot of confusion and doubt --
why was I getting it so wrong when everyone else seemed to be doing life perfectly?!?
Becoming part of a FinD group was game changing. In 2012, I joined the Sons of the Bible (SOBs). I was finally able to walk through life with other men and see how they handled its ups and downs, while they still pursued a relationship with Jesus. It helped me realize: 1) I wasn’t doing it completely wrong! and 2) I will never do it perfectly! From them, I learned how to experience our Father’s grace and Jesus’ salvation in my daily life as a man. If they could know all my dirty laundry, and still love and accept me, how much more can our Father do that!
As I learned these lessons, I could easily see the power Christ through FinD was having in my
own life and in the other SOB’s. Joining the Discipleship Council when it started in 2019 allowed me to see this ministry’s impact over all 200+ of our members. That inspired me to continue getting more deeply involved, leading to taking on the FinD Discipleship Council Chair role for a couple of years and now heading up the FinD Health Check Committee and being a FinD Shepherd. Get plugged into a FinD small group and be blessed by how our Father will transform your life, too.
Ed currently worships at Hope City Church, is a husband to Sally, dad to two amazing kiddos, an IT Manager for Shell Trading, and a graduate of Baylor University. FinD seeks to transform men through Jesus Christ in authentic, weekly Fellowship in Discipleship.
This testimonial and many others from FinD men can be found at
https://finddiscipleship.org/testimonials/
UPCOMING EVENTS…
September 16-18 - South Texas Dove Hunt with ManStuff Ministries (Register for Dove Hunt
Here)
October 15 – ADOS (Annual Day of Service) at Family Point Resources (Register for ADOS Here)
February 3-5, 2023 – FinD Annual Retreat at Stoney Creek Ranch – Save the Date
Real Men…Real Discipleship.
Want to get plugged in? FinD out more by visiting our website at https://finddiscipleship.org/interest-
form/or or contact us at info@FinDdiscipleship.org.
I still remember the thoughts of doubt in my head as I arrived at my first small group interest “recruitment” lunch with Clint Harrington. “I hope this guy isn’t wasting my time” I recall saying to myself. But, no more than 10 minutes into our lunch as he was offering his testimony, time seemed to stand still. As Clint went on to describe the immeasurable impact that his small group had in his life and his spiritual journey, something inside me was burning. What I did not realize going into that lunch in 2014 was that my spiritual walk had stalled. I was going to church on Sundays and occasionally opening the Bible, and that was basically it. I had a few guy friends I talked to about the routine things in life (sports, work, kids, etc.) but that was as deep as those conversations went.
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit led me to join my small group - BOSS (Brothers of Scripture Study) in late 2014. The term “brothers” for our small group name is spot on because that is how I feel about these guys. Over our 7 years together, our group has experienced the many peaks and valleys of life together, laughed and cried, celebrated and grieved. We have also learned to challenge each other when the situation requires it, and to hold each other accountable. Most importantly, we continue to grow together in our spiritual walk and are learning to be better a disciple, husband and father. Without these guys, there is no doubt I would still be stuck in neutral.
Jason is an active member at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (MDPC), husband to Mandi, dad to two amazing daughters, a Senior Director/Counsel – HR at McDermott, Intl, and a graduate of Ole Miss and then the University of Houston – Law Center. He is also a former FinD Discipleship Council representative and an active member of the FinD Board of Directors.
FinD seeks to transform men through Jesus Christ in authentic, weekly Fellowship in Discipleship.
This testimonial and many others from FinD men can be found at
https://finddiscipleship.org/testimonials/
UPCOMING EVENTS…
Saturday, October 15th – FinD ADOS (Annual Day of Service) benefitting Family Point Resources
February 3 rd thru 5th 2023 – FinD Annual Retreat at Stoney Creek Ranch – Save These Dates!
"Throughout my upbringing in spiritual faith there have been highs and lows. During a particular low I was in search of further counseling and encouragement, but really did not know the best approach. A good friend and fellow FinD member, Devin Galimore, introduced me to Clint Harrington who founded the FinD small group ministry. After hearing the pitch, I was intrigued by the idea of a “life-group” of eight to ten men with diverse life stages, careers, world views, denominations, and spiritual maturity who join together for a common purpose – frequent mentorship of each other to become more Christ-like.
Over the two and a half years since joining my group, the Salty Dogs, the impact on my life has been tremendous. Time in fellowship breaks down walls we put up in everyday life and you really begin to know others and a unique support and accountability is engaged. The ability to be vulnerable without fear of humiliation is a rare and wonderful benefit the group enables. Each person in my group brings a different perspective to the study of God’s Word which makes the group truly special.
I would encourage you to reach out and FinD out how you can join your own small group and build deeper relationships with fellow brothers in Christ."
Hayden and his family worship at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (MDPC), he is husband to Laura, dad to two amazing daughters, President of Garland Insulating, and a graduate of Baylor University.
FinD serves to transform men through Jesus Christ in authentic, weekly fellowship in discipleship. This testimonial and many others from FinD men can be found at https://finddiscipleship.org/testimonials/
Real Men…Real Discipleship. Want to get plugged in? www.FinDdiscipleship.org or info@FinDdiscipleship.org