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Jim Hall presented, "Nehemiah: Leading by Example" during which he pointed out three attributes a Christian leader must have in order to lead effectively for Christ: love of God, love of His people, and willingness to step out of his comfort zone. Nehemiah displayed all three of those as he led people from a land of captivity back to Jerusalem, in order to repair the wall around the city which would fortify the city and the temple. God blessed Nehemiah's efforts because Nehemiah consistently went to God in prayer and encouraged the people whenever trouble arose. Nehemiah instructed those he led that besides using the tools to do the physical work before them, that they should also keep their Spiritual weapons with them to fight off the enemy against all possible attacks that would keep them from completing the work God called them to do. The same applies to us today. We must always go about doing God's work yet doing so while keeping on the full armor of God that He gives us for the battle.

Dave Stow presented, "Ezra: The Team Approach," during which he gave an analogy of a sports team that needs all members to play a part in order to have success. In the same manner, leaders are called by God to make a difference for God's Kingdom by causing revival in the lives of others in order to bring glory to God. Ezra, in the Bible, was one such man who did so by leading a large group of men from Babylonian captivity back to the promised land, in order to build the temple. Dave pointed out that Ezra's humble realization that God's hand was upon him, was what gave Ezra the strength needed to bring about revival and play a part in the reunification of the nation of Israel. Dave challenged the men by asking, "Where are the Ezras today?"

Pastor Seth opened our newest series, "Called to Lead," by presenting "Joshua: Faith Brings Down Walls," during which he reminded us that because God created us for a purpose, He requires something of us. God gave Joshua the command to take the battle to Jericho and defeat the Canaanites, and Joshua worshipped God by living out his faith by following God. It was God Who brought down the walls of Jericho, honoring the full faith of Joshua. In the same way, we men today need to be filled with faith in God, by living out His Word and serving our purpose as leaders in the real Spiritual battle in which we are engaged. brought down the walls of Jericho, honoring the full faith of Joshua. In the same way, we men today need to be filled with faith in God, by living out His Word and serving our purpose as leaders in the real Spiritual battle in which we are engaged.

Stan Schroeder presented, "Peter: But Who Do You Say That I Am?," as the final presentation of the "Called to Loyalty" series. Stan talked about the different stages that Peter's loyalty to Christ went through as he was walking along side of Him on earth. As Stan explained, loyalty involves faithfulness, commitment, and obligation; and a failure to stay on track with all three results in a compromised loyalty. Peter went through those stages and yet, in the end, reaffirmed his loyalty to Christ and proved to be a great witness for Jesus in the book of Acts. We are also challenged to stay loyal to Jesus as we serve Him daily.

Jesse Harris spoke on the Biblical character Elisha and how he exemplified loyalty to Elijah, his mentor, and especially to God. He focused on how Elisha's loyalty led to great blessing in his life and ministry, and connected it to how our loyalty to God can and will be a blessing for us, not only for our life here on earth, but a blessing for our life to come as well.  

Michael More' presented, "Jonathan: Worth the Cost," during which the men were encouraged to look at the legacy of Jonathan in the Bible, with respect to his Godly attribute of loyalty. Jonathan was a good example because he lived out his loyalty to his father Saul, to David, and primarily to God, all without wavering. Jonathan did so at the risk of his very life, demonstrating a belief that serving God was worth the risk.

Elder Phil Morgan presented the first message of the "Called to Loyalty" series, entitled, "Mordecai: Loyalty Rewarded." Phil defined loyalty as putting someone else ahead of yourself and sticking with that person through thick and thin. To be loyal necessitates being humble and submitting to God's sovereignty. God uses His people, even when we fail to be loyal, in order to accomplish His purposes. When we are loyal, not only to God, but to our families, to others whom we lead, to our jobs, to authority, and to the calling that God gives us is when God will bestow His blessings and rewards upon us.

Michael More' presented "What's So Good About That Friday?": The Easter Story, during which he presented the story of Christ's resurrection while keying in on the importance of Good Friday and the significance that day has in the perfect plan of salvation that Jesus has for His elect; those who have put their trust in the finished work of Christ alone. Good Friday had to happen for there to be a Resurrection Sunday and it was Christ's resurrection that also made Christmas necessary. As Michael pointed out, we must let the lessons Christ taught on the cross saturate our mines and the power He won on the cross invigorate our wills to be of service for Jesus in bringing others to Christ.

Mark Pitchko told his life story allowing the men to hear what his life was like before he knew Christ, how he came to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior, and how his life has been changed since he has been saved. Mark now realizes that through all the many trials in his life, including tragedies, and lengthy periods of darkness, Christ was lovingly watching over him and calling him to be His child. God never gave up on Mark and Mark finally learned to put all his burdens on Jesus, Who then miraculously made him the God loving man he is today. Mark reminded the men that Jesus would do the same for anyone who calls on His Name.   Same God - Elevation Worship

Jesse Harris presented, "Onesimus: Truly ‘Useful’”, during which he explained how a runaway slave repented and turned to Christ, and then made amends by returning to Philemon from whom he had escaped. All this occurred after Onesimus, the fugitive, met Paul the Apostle in Rome and, under Paul's direction, became a follower of Jesus. As Jesse explained, just as the Holy Spirit convicted Onesimus of his sin and led him to repentance, we too need to allow that same Holy Spirit to guide us to repentance each time we sin. When we do, the Holy Spirit will give us newness of life, help us to pray, and teach us how to abide in Christ; and, as a result, He will give our lives purpose.

Michael More' presented "Zacchaeus: Repentance in Action," during which he told the New Testament story about how a hated chief tax collector in Israel, named Zacchaeus, had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life forever. Zacchaeus made his decision to follow Jesus and went from being an enemy of God to one who loved Him, from a crooked tax collector to a restorer of four times the amount that he unethically took from people, and from a deceitful sinner to a follower of God. The Zacchaeus story reminds us that "...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." Alleluia!

Tim Vibbert presented "John Mark: Repentance to Rehabilitation," during which he reminded us that Christ, through His work alone gave us the gift of reconciliation by His death on the cross for our sins. While we were yet sinners, Christ willingly died for us, paying our debt in full. John Mark, was reconciled to the apostle Paul by his presumed repentance and later again became "useful" in Paul's ministry of spreading the Gospel of Christ. Tim reminded the men that we cannot control the actions of others but, through Christ, we can take the first step toward reconciliation.