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By Gary Sciascia
For
several years the men of the Groton/New London church have held an
annual event we call Men’s Forum. We invite our friends out to a
special activity geared toward things that men like to do. In the past
we have seen encouraging turnouts between 80-95 men.
But Saturday night, April 9, 2005 will stand as one of the most
memorable and encouraging times in the history of the men’s ministry
in southeast
Connecticut
. It was a night that God showed us that he is still faithful and able
to do powerful things. For years I dreamt of God blessing us by
helping us over the 100 threshold for a Men’s Forum attendance. This
year, God did much more. On that Saturday evening, God’s Spirit
moved as the 63 men of the
Groton
church (several of those out to sea) saw 132 men in attendance.
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 This story began back in January, when I called a brief meeting following
a Sunday worship service. Taking a cue from my wife and how the women have
run their Women’s Nights, I told the men of the congregation that this
year anyone could come and be a part of the planning committee for Men’s
Forum - something that was run only by leaders in years past. The 2005
planning committee was a mixed bag of brothers of widely varying opinions
that came together with one goal in mind – to put together an
evangelistically focused Men’s Forum that would glorify God. Our small
band of brothers began brainstorming and hashing out ideas. We quickly got
excited about the plans, which included renting out a gymnasium and
setting up a variety of fun activities. The fire quickly spread to the
other brothers.
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Another
spark idea that the planning committee came up with that helped the fire
to spread even more was for all the men to read a DPI book that most of us
had never read before— “A Man in All
Seasons.” Reading this book
together helped inspire and spiritually galvanize us as the Men’s Forum
drew closer. We had to purchase 80 copies to keep up with demand for the
book as many church visitors also bought the book.
For
a gymnasium, God gave us a nearly new facility in the very town that many
of us live – at the Gales Ferry School. The school administrators were
extremely helpful. Besides the main gymnasium, they made available to us a
large kitchen, a stage area, a classroom, and ample hallway space. The men
that came that night had the choice of some highly competitive volleyball,
basketball, foosball, and ping-pong. |
If none of those were to one’s
liking, there was a putting contest, a variety of board and card games,
and even a room for guys to play XBox! And on top of it all, there was
plenty of food (after all, this was a Men’s Forum)!
The
activities were a hit with just about everyone because there was such a
variety, but the highlight of the night was still the spiritual focus. To
kick the night off, Cory Hudson, an officer aboard the USS Connecticut did
a great job sharing how God had worked in his life. Then our special guest
speaker - Scott Sweeney, an evangelist from the Hartford church – spoke
powerfully on our theme for the night, “Winning.” He shared vulnerably
how as a high school football star and then as a Harvard student, he
appeared to be a winner on the outside, but was losing the spiritual
battle on the inside. God moved as thirteen of our friends responded by
indicating that they wanted to study the Bible. Many more said they were
interested in attending church. I was personally encouraged to have three
friends with me that night to hear the word of God preached.
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We
serve an awesome, almighty God! He is still able to do great things!
Please pray that God will continue to move in the hearts of our friends
that came out that night, that many will decide to study the Bible and
give up everything to make Jesus their Lord. To God be the glory, amen!
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