When flooding last year in Honduras left residents of that country homeless, a group of men from Grace Baptist Church, Oxford, saw the disaster as an opportunity for ministry.
Six men from the church were part of a team that traveled to the country to help build new homes. The men realized that along with aiding others, the trip provided them with a means for Christian growth.
“It was very special, we could see God’s hand orchestrating every detail of that trip,” said Wayne Woods, pastor of Grace Baptist. “The Lord opened the doors, and we had a successful week, not only spiritually but in what we had been sent to do, and it was just a wonderful experience.”
The project is typical of efforts by men’s ministries across the state, which work to help others while spurring participants toward greater Christian growth.
Men’s ministry is a major focal point for men to become involved in a variety of ministries, said Tommy Puckett, director of men’s ministry with the State Board of Missions. “It helps men to see their gifts and interest areas, as to how they may use them in a specific area of ministry.”
Puckett said men’s ministries across the state tackle projects ranging from church building and disaster relief to working with athletic programs. He adds many focus specifically on Bible study and Christian growth.
“You’ve got a full component,” Puckett said. “You’ve got some that will be more into the discipleship, mentoring and some will be doing evangelism.”
Puckett estimates there are some 2,000 programs at churches and in associations in Alabama. He said programs are set up “under an assortment of flags that include the title men’s ministry, along with Baptist men, brotherhood and other names.
“I look at it as a total development of a man,” Puckett said. “It develops him in his spiritual growth.”
Woods said a men’s ministry offers a chance to impact the lives of others, whether in their own back yard or halfway across the world. “It ought to be helping men utilize their gifts and talents in service to the Lord, whether locally or around the globe,” he said.
Puckett said men’s ministries focuses not only on missions projects, but also reaching men for Christ. He said spiritual growth in a man’s life involves mentoring other men in their relationship with Christ. “Last, but certainly not least, it extends them to be on mission for Jesus Christ,” he said.
Puckett noted that Eastern Hills Baptist, Montgomery; Shades Mountain Baptist, Vestavia Hills; and First Baptist, Gardendale, are examples of Alabama churches that have men’s ministries regularly involved in building churches throughout the United States.
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