For years, Heath Harrelson has known the significance of holding men’s events. But when six men in his area under the age of 30 committed suicide within four months last year, he felt a heightened sense of urgency.
“For some reason, whatever’s going on, there are men who feel like they can’t find hope here,” said Harrelson, who serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in Anderson, a small town in the Shoals area. “The reason we wanted to have an event was to let them know there is hope, and that hope is Jesus.”
He began to think about who the right speaker would be, and he said God kept bringing one name to mind over and over — Rich Wingo.
Rich Wingo says ‘count me in’
Wingo, a University of Alabama linebacker, was part of the goal line stand in the 1979 Sugar Bowl that helped bring the school its 11th national championship in football.
Harrelson’s friend Brian Payne, pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, had sent him the link of Wingo speaking at his church, and it was “just incredible,” Harrelson said.
“I called Rich and told him the situation, and before I could finish, he said, ‘Count me in, I’m there, I’m coming,’” Harrelson said.
And on Dec. 8, 2023, Wingo shared a message of hope at FBC Anderson’s men’s event, Man Up.
Harrelson said he was “blown away” that 177 men showed up, especially since discipleship for men is lacking in their area.
“I’d even go further to say it’s almost nonexistent,” he said.
‘There’s got to be more than this’
At the event, men got a steak dinner and giveaway prizes and heard a bluegrass band from the church play a few songs.
Then Wingo talked about his experiences with Coach Bear Bryant and the Alabama football team and how he got to a place where he achieved his dreams and still felt empty.
“I came to a place in life where I said, ‘There’s got to be more than this,’” Wingo said.
He challenged the men present to give their all to getting to know Christ — that’s the only place hope can be found, he said.
Harrelson said Wingo “did an incredible job of laying down the gospel, and I know many lives were changed.”
Increasing discipleship, hope
Some gave their lives to Christ, and “you can tell the Spirit is moving and the seeds being planted,” Harrelson said.
He’s already working on another event, and he hopes to continue finding ways to make discipleship more prevalent for men in his area.
“This is bigger than FBC Anderson — it’s about reaching men for Christ in an area that feels hopeless,” Harrelson said. “We’re just trying to be obedient to what God has called us to do.”
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