Mark 10:13
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”

Children are so impressionable and responsive to the environment around them. Their world is formed on the perspective they have of the family and people in their lives. They have no choice but to assume the good intent of the world that surrounds them.

As time passes we grow hardened by the fallen world around us. We become victimized and hurt by the people we’ve trusted, and assumed with our best interest. Layer after layer we learn to guard our heart, as we learn to fight through the pain, or become crippled by it.

Maturing is a natural and healthy process, but it doesn’t change who you are in your CORE. In our heart of hearts, rest all the insecurities and dependencies we carried as a child. Deep down we all want to be LOVED and NURTURED. But have become damaged and broken, by other damaged and broken people.

Before Christ, I imagine a child that is lost and crippled by the world around it. Drowning the need we have to be LOVED and NURTURED with temporary pleasures that leave us unsettled and wanting more. Thrashing blindly in the water, thinking that we are swimming and living the life we’re supposed to be. But it isn’t until we STOP and TURN to Christ, do we understand truly WHO we are, and the LIFE we are called to live.

Mark 10:15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

It is in our CORE that we must come to Christ not only as our King, but as our Father that loves us. Surrendering our fear/guilt/pain through complete and absolute dependence on Him. In our CORE dependence on HIM we find unwavering strength and security and learn more of Gods love and our identity.

Uncertainty creeps into my mind as a fog gently rolling in..
A path that once shown clear.. now lay hidden beneath me..
All that has passed.. now becomes questioned..

“Was I wrong? Why am I here? Where do I go?”

Words wrestle in my heart… Insecurities wreak havoc in my mind..
Peace flees.. Mountains escalate..
Tasks that were once simple.. now become unbearable.
Each step forward gives more reason to give up.

Yet in the most deafening of circumstances.. a still voice arises

“Why do you anguish for a life that is not your own?”

Infinite.. Shepherd.. Savior.. Compassionate.. Fierce.. Kind.. Merciful.. Gracious.. Divine.. Patient.. Sovereign.. Intimate..

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:2

How do we equip MEN?

Community- Roots is meant to foster authentic community that enables us to Mature in the body of believers.

Ownership- Roots will challenge men to take OWNERSHIP of their personal walk with Christ, as well as their Role in the Home and at Church.

How do we equip OTHERS?

Unity- Roots will STRONGLY urge Men to be apart of UNITY events such as 1prayer and MOMENTUM.

UNITY means we are not just here for ourselves but also for our community. It’s acknowledging the only way to fully reach it,  is by joining hands with other churches and making an effort to take this community back for CHRIST and not just our church.

Service- Roots men will be required to get involved and give back to the church/community.

It will be our core intent to motivate Men into action and equip them to serve in their area of influence and gifting.

Roots is a leadership development process focused on MEN in the church.

A crowd of people briskly walk by..
unhesitant.. unconcerned..
Consumed by routine and schedules.. a thing they call “life”

In the distance comes a rider.. a man on a horse
Gently disrupting the ordinary..

Cars stop abruptly.. People pause suddenly.. Storefronts come to a halt..
Voices clamor.. mothers whisper.. sons inquire..

A stranger on a horse… seizing the air around him..
His presence, not of this world.. commanding the attention of his surrounding.

the voices of the people echoed.. “Who is that man?”
His identity unknown.. yet so familiar.. hidden from the lips of the masses..

As intrigue stirs and people draw in.. held captive by this stranger
A voice from the corner arises.. that beggar whom everyone has ignored…

“HE IS THE KING OF GLORY!!”

As the beggars voice resounded through the crowd.. fear and awe struck them..
It was as if scales had fallen from their eyes.. and the identity of the man had now been told.

This is the story of a vision I had during National Day of Prayer. It served as a wake up call for me toward our community. No one knew or recognized Christ as He rode through our town.. yet it was in the cry of a beggar, that His glory was revealed.

4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord .’5 “Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.
Ezekiel 37

Haunted by visions of dead men..
Cities destroyed.. Families abandoned..  Children roaming.. Women wearied.. and Men dead.. Over and over the scene plays in my mind..

Dead Men = Dead Families = Dead Communities

So my question is this.. How do you give life back to a community?

Simple… Breathe life into men

Only the power of the Holy Spirit poured out through his word can give life into a dead mans bones. It happened to me, and it may have happend to you. But it is not just good enough to be poured into and revived.. We must learn to stand together with the breath of life given to us… and SHARE that by pouring it into others.

If the Breath of Life you’ve once received, doesn’t give life to anyone else.. then it is just hot air.

Without relationships we are but a passing shadow..
It is the people and community around us,
that stitch us into the seam of life..

If Christ purchased the church with his blood..
Why are we not willing to live and die for the people around us?

Our investment in the body comes from Christ and his investment in us..
Yet our consumer mentality creates a notion that our church is for us..
Rather us living and dieing for the church..  Yes, the church is not perfect..
But it is for that reason that we need each other to grow..

During my time as an intern on a Church planting team.. I was able to experience shepherding and discipleship in its purest form. It was understood by the church, that these were responsibilities of everyone. Not just a specific leader or elder, rather each member was expected to look out for one another, and speak in love thru fellowship with the body.

It was amazing to say the least.. I fell so deeply in love with the Church, that I vowed then to be one of the “dirty” workers. The servant that has to get his hands dirty and be ready to act when no one else will.. Thats my heart.. I am a servant to the bride, on behalf of the Bridegroom.

So now, I fast forward to my church of 250+ regular attendees. We have a Pastor, but he is not able to care to the flock as one should. Judging simply by numbers it isnt “impossible” but still unlikely that he can do so in an effective manner. Yet the issue is still their..

People come and go, but who are they? Who knows their names? Who is caring for the couple that recently separated? or the navy wife that just sent her husband off over seas?
These are questions that cant be answered due to lack of knowledge…

As I pray about this, my heart begins to ache… Ive been crying out, that God press His heart for His people onto mine. I want to feel the pain he feels, and experience the joy as well..

So with that said, I have set out to find a few good men. I have been praying to God to lead me to people with the heart for people. I want to meet in a small group structure with the purpose and intent to mobilize leaders to help shepherd the flock.

Tonite was our first meeting. I challenged both men that met, that our purpose is to be “sheep dogs”. A sheep dog is obedient to the Shepherd and acts only on His commands. The role of a sheep dog is to help flock and gather the sheep and lead them to follow the Good Shepherd which is Christ.

I am psyched about this.. and eager to see where this takes us.. but one thing is for certain..

A “Sheep Dog” ministry has begun. And as long as we meet I will challenge everyone that attends to get serious about the Church and shepherd the Community God has placed us in.

First off, I am a Youth Leader. I have been involved in my local Youth ministry for about 5 years. About as long as I’ve been in Rhode Island. It has been an awesome experience for me. God has given me a deep love for these teens. It blows my mind to see them mature into Men and Women of God… simply amazing.

I have had the honor of working with Ed (@epichette for twitter folks) who was recently put on staff to be our Youth Pastor… I have seen God grow the ministry in so many ways.. its unbelievable. But things in the Youth have not always been easy. Recently we have decided that the youth needed a change in how we were doing things.
We sensed a stirring of unrest, and a spirit of chaos underlying everything we were trying to accomplish during Youth night. We have since met this resistance with force. Making drastic changes to the way things operate. And crying out to God for His spirit to bring reverence and order to our Youth night.. .. and as always.. God is faithful..  the past 2 weeks have been a good turn around for our kids..

My heart for them has been, to identify and disciple key leaders in the group.
God has stirred my heart to raise up leaders. Especially in the youth, so that they may grow in ownership of the Ministry. Their are kids that lead weather they realize it or not.
If those leaders care, the people around them will follow and also care about what is going on. And the same leadership works in reverse when they choose not to care.

My biggest concern is that the problems we are dealing with in our youth, stem from the adults. Our youth can be used as  a spiritual barometer to measure where we as adults are at spiritually.

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