Altar'd: A Ministry for Men alive and well
Posted: April 7th, 2009, 5:56 pm
Well the new Men's Ministry at Cedar Ridge is off and running. We kicked off this past weekend with a Men's retreat at a near by Boy Scout reserve. It must have been the worst weekend I could have chosen as many of our guys were out of town. Even on the Thursday before I got a couple of calls letting me know that 4 guys that planned on coming would be stuck out of state.
Anyhow we had about 16 in attendance with a showing of a few more. There were a couple of weddings going on as well that hindered a few. Bad timing on my part I suppose!
We had a Rook Tourney Friday night that went over very well. The guys thoroughly enjoyed it. We stayed up late into the night passing around the guitar and singing. The acoustics in that place were amazing.
Saturday morn we awoke to a great breakfast. All our meals were prepared by Cedar Ridge's resident chef Stephen A. He holds the World Record for largest lasagna. After breakfast we had a class on being an honorable man of God taught by our own Winston S. He was somewhat timid and thought he'd do well to fill 20 minutes. He pushed the hour envelope well.
After that we headed out to the archery range and played around for a couple of hours before being taken to an obstacle course and goofing off for a few. Then there was lunch.
After lunch we had a fishing tournament in the stocked pond/lake. it was nice. The fish were tiny but biting and we had a blast. I caught my first ever bass but of course I don't fish much at all.
After dinner and a superb dessert we gave out door prizes. There were over $600+ worth of prizes DONATED by area businesses. Some how Shane Queener won the top three prizes; it wasn't fixed I promise.
After that fun we had a service with P&W and preaching. it's the first time I've been in a pulpit in nearly two years. it was refreshing and nerve racking all in one. The Spirit helped us and really forged us men together that night. We had prayer one with another and God did something in our midst I know.
As nervous and apprehensive as I was I believe all went very well. Everyone really loved the retreat and gave their compliments. Of course that feels good but I am looking for a real ministry to be born out of this event and I believe it has been.
We are going to have monthly classes, seasonal outings, and make a difference with our hearts, minds, and hands in our church and community. There was some real bonding going on this weekend.
Thanks to all that prayed for this event. I for one needed it!
Anyhow we had about 16 in attendance with a showing of a few more. There were a couple of weddings going on as well that hindered a few. Bad timing on my part I suppose!
We had a Rook Tourney Friday night that went over very well. The guys thoroughly enjoyed it. We stayed up late into the night passing around the guitar and singing. The acoustics in that place were amazing.
Saturday morn we awoke to a great breakfast. All our meals were prepared by Cedar Ridge's resident chef Stephen A. He holds the World Record for largest lasagna. After breakfast we had a class on being an honorable man of God taught by our own Winston S. He was somewhat timid and thought he'd do well to fill 20 minutes. He pushed the hour envelope well.
After that we headed out to the archery range and played around for a couple of hours before being taken to an obstacle course and goofing off for a few. Then there was lunch.
After lunch we had a fishing tournament in the stocked pond/lake. it was nice. The fish were tiny but biting and we had a blast. I caught my first ever bass but of course I don't fish much at all.
After dinner and a superb dessert we gave out door prizes. There were over $600+ worth of prizes DONATED by area businesses. Some how Shane Queener won the top three prizes; it wasn't fixed I promise.
After that fun we had a service with P&W and preaching. it's the first time I've been in a pulpit in nearly two years. it was refreshing and nerve racking all in one. The Spirit helped us and really forged us men together that night. We had prayer one with another and God did something in our midst I know.
As nervous and apprehensive as I was I believe all went very well. Everyone really loved the retreat and gave their compliments. Of course that feels good but I am looking for a real ministry to be born out of this event and I believe it has been.
We are going to have monthly classes, seasonal outings, and make a difference with our hearts, minds, and hands in our church and community. There was some real bonding going on this weekend.
Thanks to all that prayed for this event. I for one needed it!
