The Men’s Equipping Network is a Valley wide men’s ministry, designed to come alongside men’s ministry leaders and pastors, as an asset and a resource for the Church.  It has been built through networking, utilizing the power synergy (what we can do together, trumps what we can do individually).  The ministry is comprised of four components that we believe are critical to growth in men.  We feel it is imperative that men get trained to become prayerful, getting them connected, getting men equipped, and then to become servants of the Lord, blessing others.

Through networking, our goal is to build an army of the Lord, men united in their desire to become soldiers of Christ; sold out, committed, courageous, prayerful men who will impact their families, their churches and communities.  Developing this kind of man requires training.

First and foremost is the practice of prayer.  Our belief that everything begins there; with a man on his knees before our almighty God, developing intimacy and makes us usable by God and for God.  “Let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is not only aware of us but cares for us. He is our Father. He is accessible to all who will seek Him.”  Gordon Hinckley

Men are being trained to pray through men’s prayer groups in churches, using a very effective model that fosters encouragement, accountability, learning to pray by listening to others pray, and brotherhood.  We currently have 22 of these groups in churches across our communities.

The second component is getting men connected.  This is accomplished through catalytic events and quarterly breakfasts, utilizing gifted and inspirational speakers, gathering men from numerous churches together in unity, and igniting a renewed passion in their hearts.  The connection piece is about building relationships.  1 John 1:3 “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

The third, and critical component is that of getting men equipped/discipled.  Just as soldiers, before engaging in battle, go through basic, then extensive training, the Men’s Equipping Network offers onramps to a plethora of discipleship programs; ranging from basic to more extensive.  I Timothy 4:7-9  “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness.  Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.  2 Timothy 2-3  “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Lastly is the component of service.  When men become prayerful and growing in intimacy, get connected with other believers, get trained up and becoming mature in Christ, the natural outflow from this should be the desire to serve others.  It’s this important component that brings value to a man, blessing others through self-sacrifice.

Men’s Equipping Network has a powerful service element called Men With A Mission.  Men come together from churches community wide to do repair work for those unable to do so themselves, at little or no cost.  We’ve seen grown men cry when they see the impact of what the work of their hands has had on the least of these.