FAC Band of Brothers

Today’s scheduled open microphone session was pre-empted by a few guys who “hijacked" the session to pay tribute to Michael More’, the ministry’s director. Michael was both humbled and deeply touched by the kind sentiments paid to him, as well as the momentos with which he was presented by several of the table leaders. I know that for a fact, because I am Michael.

Michael More' presented, "Go Ye Therefore," during which he expounded upon Matthew 28, Jesus' last conversation with His disciples before He ascended into Heaven. After reviewing the events of Holy Week, and their significance, Michael talked about the necessity of and the reasons we followers of Christ must follow the instructions of Jesus to go and make disciples. If we truly love God, desire to obey Him, and have a heart for the lost, as Jesus does, we will follow that command. Michael then discussed the benefits we derive from making disciples, mainly the joy in following another command of Jesus to store up our treasures in Heaven, as expressed in Matthew 6:19. Michael concluded with a challenge for men to no longer stand on the sidelines, but to get into the fight by making disciples, and consequentially taking back our nation for Christ.

FAC Senior Pastor Seth McCoy presented, "Abiding: Continuing in Him," as part of our current series on abiding in Christ. As Seth pointed out, the entire foundation of existence is built on a relationship of love, a love between a Father and His Son. We serve a triune God, and before man was even created, that relationship was built on love between the three Persons in the one God; the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. That is why we know that God is love. Continuing in Christ means to truly abide in Him and to love Him, knowing that it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to do so. As such, we must continue in God's Word and continue to rely on His Holy Spirit. We also must never forget the power of our relationship with Christ and with other Christian men as Christ demonstrated with his disciples.

Pastor Steve Hoadley presented, "Abiding: Depending on Him," during which he referenced John 15, in which Jesus tells us that we need to abide in Him because without Him we can do nothing. We, as followers of Christ, are the branches, but Jesus is the Vine on Which the branches must depend in order to produce the Spiritual fruit that is necessary to spread God's Kingdom and glorify God. As Steve pointed out, if we miss the main thing, then we miss the whole thing. Jesus wants to be our Main Thing. Only when He is, are we living the lives that bring glory to God.

Dave Stow and Jesse Harris presented, "Discipleship: How Is It Done?," during which each took a separate part. Dave introduced the men to the fact that FAC's Men's Leadership Team will be rolling out a new men's mentoring program in September. He also talked about his father's story and the results of his not being mentored by another Christian that may have been able to keep him on a Godly path. Jesse presented details the proposed mentoring program with the goals of character formation, discipling men of integrity, Spiritual formation, and ability to pass on their discipleship by discipling others. As Jesse pointed out, discipleship is a process but one that is so necessary.

Brian Potter presented, "Discipleship: A Love Relationship," during which he talked about the importance of discipling with other men and sharing each other's burdens and trials. Brian gave examples of personal experiences in his family life, whereby instead of choosing to be bitter and angry at God, Brian and his family chose to trust that God has a perfect plan and it will be for their ultimate good. The vulnerability Brian displayed to fellow Christian men is a lesson not only on sharing our burdens, but also mentoring other Christian men to do the same. In so doing, discipleship allows us to form a love relationship with others with whom we can walk through the trials of our lives.

Dave Stow presented, "Discipleship: Serving God," during which he reminded the men that Christians are called for a purpose to fulfill a mission. Jesus' last instruction to His disciples before He ascended into Heaven was to go and teach all nations, making disciples. Our mission is to follow Jesus and do so by teaching, challenging, and mentoring other Christians toward growth in Christ. Once we reach the lost for Christ our job does not end, but we are to nurture them by mentoring them so that they can then also make disciples, remembering always that Christ is with us through the whole process. Discipleship is part of our service for God.

Charles Iannuzzelli presented, "Discipleship: The Plentiful Harvest," based on Matthew 9:36-37, wherein Jesus points out that there are few workers to gather in the harvest, and asks for prayer that more would step up. Charles pointed out two key obstacles that tend to stop Christians from spreading the Gospel, fear and impatience with not seeing the fruit of their efforts immediately. As Charles concluded, we need to plant the seed and let God do the work.

Jesse Harris presented, "Mentoring Men: Our Mission," during which he pointed out that the final instruction which Jesus gave His followers before He ascended into Heaven is given in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus tells us to go out and make disciples by teaching them all that He has commanded us. We are to be a light in this dark and dying world by spreading the good news of salvation that Jesus provided with His death on the cross for the sin of the world and his resurrection. Mentoring is the way to accomplish our mission, by taking someone new in the faith and helping them along their path of Christian maturity. Doing so requires us to make sure we have a strong Biblical world view and have the goal of building up the Church, by loving one another with the abundant love God has provided to us.