Reach Church Men’s Weekend 10/22/2023
Love the story format! Sitting in each other’s stories without rushing was so helpful! I can apply this to other settings. I'm learning more about my role as a leader and older man in a growing community of younger men.
___
It was very encouraging to have a conversation with another guy who has experienced something very similar to what I'm going through.
___
I thought I was doing pretty well coming into this weekend. I think God convicted me that I'm not and that the busyness of life has masked that. I need to slow down and allow God to refine me through Himself, others, and counseling.
___
God is at work in the men at Reach, and I want to be a part of that.
___
I recommitted myself to Jesus. This was an awesome experience and I look forward in growing with other men.
___
I was very impacted by the letters I received and by how some of the men here really cared about hearing my story. It encouraged me a lot and made me want to share those things and show other people the same care and attention I received.
___
I need more men in my life who are after God's heart and who know His heart.
___
I learned that it is okay to be vulnerable as my story is reflected in others and be open to receiving God's grace to guide my plans.
___
God is pursuing me. He's been waiting for me to dive deeper. He's been stretching me (in such a great way). I leave here knowing that it's time to serve more, although my plate is full, God will make room. I also leave here with a feeling of validation. Validation that Reach is where the Lord is calling my family in this season. Being new to the area, finding a church is an answered prayer.
___
All stories are important and leave an impact for where people are at in their lives. God is excited to offer rest & rejuvenation. It is His honor to provide a lighter yoke upon me. He wants to see me walk through this life with other men. I am full of pride and judgement. I am resistant to connection because I am fearful. I am a gift to others and thoughtfully interact. I have provided stability and love to people around me through my life and I am worthy to be loved. I will lay down my pride. I will reopen my heart to connection and engagement with others in a real and meaningful way.
___
God is causing some amazing shifts in the hearts of the men of Reach and more need to be in this space to see how God is using the stories of other men to heal and love both themselves and others. I want to lead into this even more.
___
I learned that a majority of the men in my life also struggle with similar themes of guilt and shame with specific sins. I also learned that those sins are not the product of my existence on this earth. Our purpose is much greater. We have all been called to prefer the Kingdom of God. None of us can do it alone, and we never will have to do it alone.
___
I came into Men's weekend expecting to need to receive service to be recharged and filled. But I came away realizing I’m healthier than I expected to be and desire to serve more than be served right now. God is still changing me, providing growth and healing in ways I didn't anticipate. I feel like He's put me in a place to test His changes, my growth, so that I can trust Him more.
___
I learned I could pray to the Lord for healing in my own heart. Leading up to this event, I was attacked by a sin, formerly confessed (99% sure) from 8+ years ago. I didn't know how to respond. And then, during the candlelight portion, I heard someone say, "ask God for healing." And I did. And the shame of that sin hanging on my heart disappeared. I'm excited to ask for this healing in many areas of my life.
___
I have learned that community is where you learn about insecurity, shame, and then can address those feelings.
___
I appreciated the format of storytelling. It was powerful to hear men's brokenness through vulnerability and how shame can be broken by exposing it into the light. It was great to see other men who want more of God. I learned that God is pursuing each of us and we all have an opportunity to respond to His invitation. We have a choice to create space and listen to His voice or not. Going forward, I think there will be opportunities to be known and to know other men deeper.
___
I was deeply reminded of the power of vulnerable community in bringing together men of Christ. I have learned that my story is valuable and treasured as one in progress; one becoming more like Christ if I continue in fellowship and community with Him and His church.
___
I carry burden on my shoulders and I need to trust and rely more on God and find peace.
___
To know God, you need to look for Him. For Him to change your life you have to let Him.
___
Learning about other guys and who they are is fun and valuable.
___
This weekend helped me appreciate the men around me. Fathers, husbands, singles, widows, divorced all have their own struggles. We can bear each other’s burdens. God is at work in my story and has more for me. Hugging is good for you.
___
I've learned about the ways God can work in our stories. I've learned how much I need others, despite being an introvert.
___
I learned that I have a hard time not comparing myself to others and their stories. I also learned that there's a tremendous amount of power in everyone's journey that my comparison just robs me of tapping into that. Lastly, I learned that I've got a lot of growing to do and that I need to work on letting my guard down.
___
Everyone truly has a story. I am a victim of being passive and making assumptions about people without hearing their story. This weekend opened my eyes again to do that because it's essential and the bare minimum to love others well. I realize there are many men at Reach I had never met and I am leaving this weekend hungry to continue serving into this community. There's a hunger awakening in the men for Jesus. I want to continue to see radical transformation within the men at Reach and see lives changed.
___
I am not alone in my story.
___
It was very encouraging to have a conversation with another guy who has experienced something very similar to what I'm going through.
___
I thought I was doing pretty well coming into this weekend. I think God convicted me that I'm not and that the busyness of life has masked that. I need to slow down and allow God to refine me through Himself, others, and counseling.
___
God is at work in the men at Reach, and I want to be a part of that.
___
I recommitted myself to Jesus. This was an awesome experience and I look forward in growing with other men.
___
I was very impacted by the letters I received and by how some of the men here really cared about hearing my story. It encouraged me a lot and made me want to share those things and show other people the same care and attention I received.
___
I need more men in my life who are after God's heart and who know His heart.
___
I learned that it is okay to be vulnerable as my story is reflected in others and be open to receiving God's grace to guide my plans.
___
God is pursuing me. He's been waiting for me to dive deeper. He's been stretching me (in such a great way). I leave here knowing that it's time to serve more, although my plate is full, God will make room. I also leave here with a feeling of validation. Validation that Reach is where the Lord is calling my family in this season. Being new to the area, finding a church is an answered prayer.
___
All stories are important and leave an impact for where people are at in their lives. God is excited to offer rest & rejuvenation. It is His honor to provide a lighter yoke upon me. He wants to see me walk through this life with other men. I am full of pride and judgement. I am resistant to connection because I am fearful. I am a gift to others and thoughtfully interact. I have provided stability and love to people around me through my life and I am worthy to be loved. I will lay down my pride. I will reopen my heart to connection and engagement with others in a real and meaningful way.
___
God is causing some amazing shifts in the hearts of the men of Reach and more need to be in this space to see how God is using the stories of other men to heal and love both themselves and others. I want to lead into this even more.
___
I learned that a majority of the men in my life also struggle with similar themes of guilt and shame with specific sins. I also learned that those sins are not the product of my existence on this earth. Our purpose is much greater. We have all been called to prefer the Kingdom of God. None of us can do it alone, and we never will have to do it alone.
___
I came into Men's weekend expecting to need to receive service to be recharged and filled. But I came away realizing I’m healthier than I expected to be and desire to serve more than be served right now. God is still changing me, providing growth and healing in ways I didn't anticipate. I feel like He's put me in a place to test His changes, my growth, so that I can trust Him more.
___
I learned I could pray to the Lord for healing in my own heart. Leading up to this event, I was attacked by a sin, formerly confessed (99% sure) from 8+ years ago. I didn't know how to respond. And then, during the candlelight portion, I heard someone say, "ask God for healing." And I did. And the shame of that sin hanging on my heart disappeared. I'm excited to ask for this healing in many areas of my life.
___
I have learned that community is where you learn about insecurity, shame, and then can address those feelings.
___
I appreciated the format of storytelling. It was powerful to hear men's brokenness through vulnerability and how shame can be broken by exposing it into the light. It was great to see other men who want more of God. I learned that God is pursuing each of us and we all have an opportunity to respond to His invitation. We have a choice to create space and listen to His voice or not. Going forward, I think there will be opportunities to be known and to know other men deeper.
___
I was deeply reminded of the power of vulnerable community in bringing together men of Christ. I have learned that my story is valuable and treasured as one in progress; one becoming more like Christ if I continue in fellowship and community with Him and His church.
___
I carry burden on my shoulders and I need to trust and rely more on God and find peace.
___
To know God, you need to look for Him. For Him to change your life you have to let Him.
___
Learning about other guys and who they are is fun and valuable.
___
This weekend helped me appreciate the men around me. Fathers, husbands, singles, widows, divorced all have their own struggles. We can bear each other’s burdens. God is at work in my story and has more for me. Hugging is good for you.
___
I've learned about the ways God can work in our stories. I've learned how much I need others, despite being an introvert.
___
I learned that I have a hard time not comparing myself to others and their stories. I also learned that there's a tremendous amount of power in everyone's journey that my comparison just robs me of tapping into that. Lastly, I learned that I've got a lot of growing to do and that I need to work on letting my guard down.
___
Everyone truly has a story. I am a victim of being passive and making assumptions about people without hearing their story. This weekend opened my eyes again to do that because it's essential and the bare minimum to love others well. I realize there are many men at Reach I had never met and I am leaving this weekend hungry to continue serving into this community. There's a hunger awakening in the men for Jesus. I want to continue to see radical transformation within the men at Reach and see lives changed.
___
I am not alone in my story.