The 318 Project

In this episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Shaun Miles of Salm67 Ministries. Shaun shares about how he had a troubled childhood and that finally after a night of alcohol and drugs, he was arrested. At that moment in jail he surrendered his life to Christ and God radically changed him. 

Shaun talks about how he went from being a high school drop out and finally just getting his GED because of learning issues, to then how God directed him to attend Bible College and receive not only his Bachelor's Degree in Theology but also his Doctorate.

Shaun met his wife, Lien, while on a mission trip to Vietnam. They have been married 10 years and have 2 sons. Together they minister and help train and develop pastors and leaders throughout Vietnam. They are currently back in the United States, but God has led them to plant and pastor another Church/training center in the city of Da-Nang.

Shaun share how he has experienced what he calls "God Moments" throughout his life from his sister providing financially for him to go to Bible College to even being at home with his mother when she passed away earlier this year.

If you want to see more resources of what they are doing in their ministry go to http://www.salm67.com/

Also Shaun has a podcast called "Shaun and the Word" available on Apple Podcast and Podbean.

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What does men's ministry look like from the eyes of a woman?
Does it have an impact on the marriage and the family?

Betty King shares how she grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and met the love of her life, Jack King, who she married in 1968. They were married for 50 years till he passed away in 2018. They have 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area where even though she retired as a school principle, currently substitute teaches and tutors. 

Betty serve with Jack and helped form Faithful Men Ministries. She has traveled and ministered with him around the world. 
Betty has a prophetic gift of speaking a word of encouragement into people life when God places it on her heart.

Betty talks about her life and marriage before Jack stepped into ministry, and even how it was difficult to allow him to lead the family once he was saved and taking the role as the head of the family. She shares the perspective of how God wants the husband to take the lead in his marriage and family. 

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In 2012 Todd's life imploded when his wife told him that she wanted and divorce and had been seeing another man.  What happened next was something that only  GOD  could do.

Todd is retired from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue department after 26 years of service. He was assigned to station 7, which is the Hazardous Materials team, for 21 of those years.  Since retiring in 2014, Todd has been an instructor for Federal Resources Inc. and travels around the United States teach Propane Response classes to area fire departments. 

Todd tells how he met his wife on a flight home from New Mexico after an training class and she was returning home to New Orleans in 2000.  They struck up a conversation and exchanged emails. Over time, they began dating and got married in 2002.

Amy had been raised Catholic, but Todd had no Christian background and even when their 2 sons were born they returned to New Orleans to have them christened. Todd tells how even though they were married he still lived at times a single lifestyle of flirting with other women and looking at pornography. 

So when she asked for a divorce his world fell out from under him. This was because the other man was a close friend and co-worker on the fire department. 

Then in 2013 Todd walked into  The Church of 1122  and surrendered his life to Christ for the first time. Unknown to him, his ex-wife at this time had started attending the church also. Then in late 2016 Pastor Jobe  Martin spoke on a series titled "Act like a Man" and Todd felt that he needed to talk to Amy. To his surprise, she had been going to a women's group at the church and they had been praying that the relationship be restored. 

They then had a conversation and Todd shared how he had gotten past the hurt of the divorce, but never got over his love for Amy. They began dating again and remarried in 2016. Since then they have grown closer than ever before with God at the center of their marriage and family as an example for their 2 sons. 

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In this episode, I have a conversation with Bett Harvey, director of Men's Encounter North. Bett shares about how after being married for over 25+ years and his wife asking him to be the leader of the home, tells him that she wanted a divorce. 

Shortly after this, she attends and church service and upon returning home Bett asked where she had gone. He told her the next time she went that he was going with her, as a way of showing that he wanted to work on the marriage. After getting saved so after, he signed up for a men's class called "Maximized Manhood". 

This class consisted of 9 books and workbooks. After returning home from the class, Bett explained the class and all that was involved with it. When time came for his class the next week, Bett was unable to find his book. When he asked his wife, she stated that she had read it and want to take the class also. This gave him the motivation to continue that class.

After several months, a few of the men in the class invited Bett to a men's retreat call "Men's Encounter". He was reluctant to go, but after a couple of months, he attended and it radically changed his life.

Due to some medical issues with their daughter, Bett and his wife moved from Houston to Dallas to help take care of her. It was during this time that Bett would still travel to Houston to help with other Men's Encounter events. After one event, he told his wife that he felt they should start a Men's Encounter in the Dallas area. A few weeks later they help their first Men's Encounter North event. 

In October of 2020 they held their ninth event and will be having their tenth Men's Encounter North event in February  19-20 of 2021. On May 14-15 of 2021 Bett will host their first Men's Encounter North men's conference, with the goal of have of 650 men attend the event. 

One highlight that Bett shared was the "BEAN STORY".  He tells how at each event they have a fiesta night with fajitas and black beans. After a few of the events, the cook came to Bett and asked if instead of black beans they could serve charro beans, which Bett said they would look into it. The next day a friend of Bett's called him saying that a local church was looking to donate 750 pounds of charro beans to anyone that they know. At that moment he knew God would take care of even the small things like have charro beans for the meals,

The motto for Men Encounter North is:
Find Your Identity
Find God 
Find Your True North

For more information you can find their resources at the links below:
website: https://www.mensencounternorth.com/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/MENSEncounterNorth
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdj5fA0YZHdbf5uc8RCo1Jg

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In this episode, I talk with Rob Carman. Rob has been in ministry for over 44 years with his wife Ginger. They were lead pastors for over 22 yrs in Albuquerque, New Mexico before going into evangelism and leadership training. Rob has traveled to over 70 nations and trained over 60,000 ministry leaders worldwide.

Rob has also sat as the Executive International Director for the Christ of the Nations Bible College and their 40 schools worldwide. Rob and Ginger started and continue to head up Victory World Missions that supports many projects around the world including a hospital in Papua, New Guinea. He also provides the 412 Leadership school for free on his website. He has written several devotionals for the YouVersion Bible app and also host his own podcast.

We talk about the issue of depression men are facing in society today and why it has become such a passion of his. Rob explains how suicide is at an all time high and especially in California recent studies showed that the suicide hotline has increased over 8000% during the pandemic and that there have been more deaths in one month from suicide than the six months from covid.

Rob tells of a personal experience of dealing with and being diagnosed with clinical depression. We see that in todays society that 1/3 of Americans suffer with some sort of depression. The root is not all physical but a majority is traced back to the Bible of how to get and keep out of depression. It had to be dealt with from a Biblical standpoint.

Just as the need to wash the body that gets dirty, we need to also wash our mind of the toxicity of the debris we pickup throughout the day. Rob shares the reference of a plank suspended between two blocks on each end and you begin to layer dirt at the center of the plank that over time  the board can no longer hold the weight and breaks; much like the human soul. This is caused by fear, anxiety, stress,  bitterness, unforgiveness and many other issues. This can then develop into an attitude of being negative  and having resentment.

Rob tells that while reading a book on the diplomat from the 1800's by the name of Lawrence Townsend and when a young man asked what was the secret to why God used him powerfully. He took the young man and showed him that he prayed. He took about 15 minutes at the conclusion of each day as if communicating with God to remove from his mind anything that wasn't in harmony with Him and then to fill him with his Holy Spirit.  Rob shared how this moment impacted him profoundly to not just at night remove the toxicity of the dayl, but to start each day by inviting the presence of Jesus each morning to set the stage for your day.

The cure for depression can start with thought replacement. God gives us over 7,000 promise of hope in the Bible. Hope is the anchor to the soul and a place of refuge.

To say that a situation is hopeless is to say that God is helpless; and God is never helpless, so nothing is hopeless.

Men need relationships with other men, because isolation will kill you. We were not made for isolation; we were created to gather together in fellowship.

Our life follows our thoughts. Our feelings are the results of your thoughts and then manifest themselves into emotions. If we can change a day, we can change a life of devotion.

How can I change?
You can't change dramatically, but you can do it for a day. Live for God one day at a time joyfully. Life is an accummulation of days, We need a purpose or we will die in boredom.

Our greatest adversity is the evil twins of fear and worry. To counter this we must inject hope into our lives.

You are the right man in the right place at the right time!

Resources:
https://www.robcarman.com
This has a list of weekly devotions and the devotions available on YouVersion Bible app.
Also the 412 Leadership School

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Desmond Frey is the Lead International Pastor at Christliches Zentrum Burhegg in Zurich, Switzerland. He teaches, coaches and helps develop pastors and leaders in their ministry rolls and callings. Desmond is the overseer for several churches in Europe and also helps in missions with an emphasis of fighting against Human Trafficking, especially in Moldova. Desmond along with his wife Sandy host 2-4 "Refresh" marriage seminars each year around the world. 
Desmond and Sandy have been married for 34+ years and have four children (2 sons and 2 daughters) and 9 grandchildren.

In this episode I asked 4 key questions that you need to know to help you grow as leader, mentor or what to look for in a mentor. We will take a look at some misconceptions that you feel may keep you from stepping out to fulfill a calling or to even grow in your faith.

Question #1- What is the one thing that you wish you had known before you started in your ministry or mentoring others?
Response- Learning to say "NO" at times. You can oversaturate to the point that thoses that you are teaching are unable to retain the material.
Quote by Zig Ziglar- "The differencef between successful and unsuccessful people is the power to say "No"'.

Question #2- What is the biggest mistake you have made as a mentor, husband, father, leader or christian?
Response- To realize the patterns that happen in life. Those times of negative patterns to please people and cause a self sabotage in your life. Neglecting family to get praise from pastors and leaders; and feeding on the praise and accolades that feed into the flesh of pride. 

Question #3- What is the #1 tip that you can give to help other men as they mentor and disciple other men?
Response- You need to be careful and selective of who you mentor, or pour your life into. You need to have a healthy balance of helping in healing and growing a calling. Don't take it personal if the person you are help leaves after they feel that they have gotten they help they were seeking. Just as a sick patient goes to a doctor to get healing, some men may come to you for healing the trouble the are facing; while others are seeking to grow and develop a ministry or calling. 
You must also have the time to invest into those that you are mentoring. Invest in those that are ready and hungry to develop and grow their calling.

Question #4- Besides the Bible, what is your favorite tool ( material, techniques, study guides or books) that you recommend to train, mentor, strengthen, or disciple men?
Response- The Majoring in Men materials by Dr. Edwin Louis Cole
John Maxwell and his Equip courses
Casey Treat- Renewing the mind
Frank Demazio- The making of a Leader
Dr. Caroline Leaf- most of her books use the study of neuroscience and the habits that we deal with in crisis.
Finally your life experience of what you have faced and learned is a tool that you can use to teach others.

Resources-
John Maxwell- https://www.johnmaxwell.com/
Casey Treat- https://christianfaith.us/successfulliving/

The following resource material are listed is part of an affiliate links with Amazon that if you use and purchase from, I will receive a portion of the sale:

John Maxwell- Developing the Leader Within You 2.0- https://amzn.to/2HUJiSd
Casey Treat- Renewing The Mind 2.0- https://amzn.to/3nkm8VA
Frank Demazio- The Making of A Leader- https://amzn.to/2GzClp7
Dr. Caroline Leaf- https://amzn.to/30Cryl5   https://amzn.to/2F4m5fv

Majoring in Men curriculum material- https://cmn.men/collections/curriculum-sets

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I discuss the life of Elijah and how he ran away after his greatest victory, and want to quit for fear that he was alone. I will share how God strenghtened Elijah during of time of solitude and rest to allow Elijah to reflect on God's presence and power. This allowed Elijah to continue the work that God had called him to do as a prophet to the people of Israel.

Timeline:
0:00 -  Introduction
2:07 - James 5:17
2:33 - I Kings 17- Elijah tells King Ahab of the drought and helps the widow in Zeraphath
3:54 - I Kings 18 - Battle on Mount Carmel against 450 prophets of Baal
7:09 - I Kings 19 - Runs in fear of Queen Jezabel
7:41 - God reminds Elijah that 7,000  people have not bowed to the idols of Baal
9:00 - Book by Dr. Edwin Louis Cole - Winners are not those that never fail, but those that Never Quit
13:30 - Joseph sold into slavery
14:01 - David runs in fear from King Saul
14:20 - Noah after building the Ark
14:52 - Thomas questioning if Jesus had resurrected from the dead
15:28 - Gideon hiding in the winepress to thresh wheat
15:58 - Satan is a conterfeit
17:05 - Be strong and courageous - mentioned over 36 times in the Bible. Fear not over 100 times.
18:42 - 5 Fold Temptation Elijah struggled with:
            1) Depression 
            2) Despair (19:35)
            3) Resignation (19:50)
            4) Failure (21:29) Ex. Thomas Edison
            5) Inferiority (22:46)
27:35 - The day after the battle is more important than the eve of the battle.
28:45 - Winners are not those that never fail, But those that NEVER QUIT!

Resources:
This is an affiliate link that I have through Amazon below for Dr. Cole's book listed:
Winners are not those that never fail But those that NEVER QUIT
https://amzn.to/3kDeXFO

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I discuss how at a time when I was questioning my faith that a story for the Old Testament helped me overcome my fear and doubt. It was about Elijah and the widow woman and here lack of faith that I talk about in this episode.

Scriptures referenced:
Luke 6:38
I King 17:1-16
James 1:3
Ephesians 3:20

Quotes:
From Winners Never Quit by Dr. Edwin Louis Cole
Christians believe that God has the power to do anything. Often they have doubts, not about God's ability, but His faithfulness. Their question in not 'Can He do it?' but 'Will He do it for me?'" pg. 18

"Whatever the cause of your crisis-job loss, marital tensions, mid life frustations, religious or social persecution; you must remember that outward appearance and inward emotions change. Not everything has changes. God is the same, God is faithful to His Word and to you. " pg 23

"Worry centers on self. Faith centers on God." pg.25

http://the318project.com
http://speakpipe.com/the318project

Amazon affiliate link:
Winners Never Quit book
https://amzn.to/3jVXbxm

Background music provided by Ricardo Camargo of Tidalwav Studios

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Doug Stringer is the founder and President of Somebody Cares America and Somebody Cares International, which works with chapters, affiliates, churches and organizations from a local to international level to provide prayer initiatives, compassion outreach and cooperative community efforts during diasters. Doug is an internationally known speaker, evangelist, author and has helped consultate with churches, community groups, as well as with, local, state, and national leaders.

Doug is a licensed Clinical Pastoral counselor and has earned degrees from various colleges including a Ph. D. from Logos Graduate School. He has authored  numerous books, including: It’s Time to Cross the Jordan, The Fatherless Generation, Somebody Cares, Who’s Your Daddy Now?, Born to Die, Living Life Well: A Look at the Spirit of the 10 Commandments, and most recently, In Search of A Father’s Blessing and Leadership Awakening: Foundational Principles for Lasting Success.

He has recently been involved with several Prayer initiative gatherings organized by several state govenors. He is married to his wonderful wife, Lisa, who has recently published her first book titled, God Didn't Do This To Me. They have a daughter, Ashley, who has released an LP titled Simply Smile.

Highlights:
07:09 - Involved in Disaster relief, Global Prayer Iniative, and National Prayer gatherings
08:37 - Talks about his wife, Lisa, and her new book " God Didn't Do This To Me"
12:20 - Talks about his daughter, Ashley, and her LP Simply Smile.
21:50 - History of Somebody Cares (Houston, America, International)
25:09 - "If we work to and through the local churches, ministries and organizations; when all the media is gone and all the big boys and girls from the large agenies leave. If you  empower local organizations, ministries and churches then they are the ones who have the equity and know and love their communities."
26:03 - "From a spiritual standpoint a crisis is a terrible thing to waste because we as the body of Christ need to work together to bring a tangible expression of God's love into communities."
27:02 - 4 Components of reaching the communities
            1) Prayer & Presence
            2) Prayer Inniatives & solemn assemblies
            3) Compassion coalition
            4) Leadership Awakening
34:49 - "That if God can't get it through you, He won't get it to you."
35:11 -  "Every pearl has it's own story to turn into a beautiful gem, but we should be the string that pulls them together. being the unseen string."
38:42 -  Dr Cole "What we see in the larger context there is always a microcosism to it."
44:24 - 4 areas the church has had to overcome the last 2,000 years
            1) persecution
            2) poverty
            3) Long periods of prosperity
            4) Long periods of peace
55:48 - "My desire to win must be greater than my moments of challenge."

Resources:
Affiliate links with Amazon for available books and LP
Leadership Awakening - https://amzn.to/34tyPGI
In Search of a Father's Blessing - https://amzn.to/32qUpca
Who's Your Daddy Now? - https://amzn.to/34vrlTu
God Did Not Do This To Me by Lisa Stringer - https://amzn.to/2EAnwSo
Simple Smile (LP) by Ashley Stringer - https://amzn.to/3gsmbKk

website:
https://somebodycares.org/

Music segments provided by Richard Camargo on Tidalwav Studios in Queens, NY

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In this episode, I speak with Jody Burkeen. Jody is a full time pastor of Ignite Church, as well as the director for an International Men's Ministry called Man Up God's Way. Jody has been married for 30 years and they have 4 children ages 19, 18 and twin 9 year olds.

Jody talks about how he had ran from God for most of his life even though he was raised as a child in church, but became an self proclaimed atheist. It was when he was holding his two oldest children, who at the time were about 1 and 2 yrs. old, that he felt and realized that there is no way my kids came from a cesspool of algae. This started him to think that if his children were created and he was created wasn't just by chance. He tells how he and his wife were both saved on May 22nd, 2003. It was during that change in his life, which opened his eyes to the problem that there is in the church; and that is the lack of men stepping up to do what God's called them to do.

Jody then tells that as he began to read the Bible that the presence of the Holy Spirit would tell him not to do something or what he was doing was sin, the Holy Spirit would convict him as well as basically agreeing with God's Word. Through this process he gave up habits,  and addictions. Even through this, Jody talks about how he dealt with depression to the point that in 2016 he almost committed suicide. he explained how he "faked it really good , to my church, to my ministry, to my wife, for a matter of fact, until I got to a certain point where I actually planned it our." But, through getting help and pray and a close relationship with Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in his life for over a year to bring healing.

Jody discusses the purpose behind Man Up God's Way and how they go through a process of teaching men to stop be spiritual immature. Jody also talks about an upcoming project that he is working on with Tate Jordan of Kingmen Way that is a 40 day coaching program that focuses on all areas of a man's life from  faith, family, fitness, finances and helping men to have a focus through discipleship.

Highlights:
5:10 - Galatians 5:22-23
17:39 - 7 areas in a man's life that they are spiritual weak
           1)Personal relationship with Jesus.
              A) Read your Bible
              B) Pray
              C) Repentance
           2) Marriage
           3) Children
           4) Church
           5) Work
           6) Accountability
           7)Discipleship
43:40 - 40 Day challenge coaching program- 5 "F's"  of faith, family, fitness, finances, and focus. The cost is $35 a week and a link is included below with all the other resources and products discussed.
Links:
website: https://manupgodsway.org/
40 day challenge- https://www.manupkingsmenway.com/optin1592967438546
Facebook page:   https://www.facebook.com/manupgodsway/
Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/manupgodswaygroup/?ref=web_social_plugin
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Manupgodsway1
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/manupgodsway/

Resourse:
Affiliate link for products available on Amazon:
Man Up- Becoming a godly man in an ungodly world  https://amzn.to/3gBLlax
Pursuit of a GodlyLife  https://amzn.to/2PuHuA0
Man Up God's Way Prayer Journal   https://amzn.to/2XxOsbZ
Man Up God's Way Family Devotional  https://amzn.to/3ijdcg1
The Marriage Advise: 15 Answers to Questions Men wont Ask https://amzn.to/2DLNBgU

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