August 25 2011, 8:18 am | Kyle Hollaway
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
It was just a year ago September that we hosted the Summit Outfitters kick-off breakfast and outlined the vision and mission for the ministry. Little did we know at that time all that Christ would accomplish in our midst in the coming year. While we were full of hope and ambition for the ministry, we had no idea that God would move so powerfully amongst us in the Spring!
Our strategy last year was to focus on small group encounters as a means to engage men, and through those relationships enrich each other’s lives and encourage each other along the journey. I have to be honest and say that I was worried about the strategy. We were not hosting any “large group” teaching venues like Men’s Fraternity which was a break from the past several years, and we only had a handful of organized small groups. My fear was that we would not have any real impact on the men in our church, much less the body of Christ. What a self-important and prideful perspective to have!
I do believe that God purposefully uses men, both as a community and individually, to carry out His will on this earth. But there are no programs or plans that we can devise that will be successful without the blessing and orchestration of the Holy Spirit. This Spring proved that beyond any question. Despite our feeble attempts to coordinate, guide and train, the true impact was the direct, manifest presence of God moving amongst our people. What a sweet moment!
For those that missed it, let me recap: Due to snow and logistical challenges we moved our Men’s Retreat from January to April. We had a great turn out and the weather cooperated beautifully. On the final evening we had a time of training and worship. As it drew to a close one of our men stood up and in humility and grace confessed his struggles to the men and challenged others to become real and transparent. What followed was a spontaneous moment of honesty, love, grace and brokenness. I remember walking away knowing that it was a profound moment.
We returned to The Summit for the 11am service the following morning. None of us anticipated or predicted what would unfold next. As I stood in the auditorium during the opening worship song I was overcome with the sense of God’s presence. In a glorious outpouring of God’s love and conviction the worship time flamed into the spark of revival and lasted well after 2 pm. The “moment “ turned into 5 weeks of our local body experiencing God like never before. And we have not been the same since.
“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” John 17:22-23
I personally believe that God used the men of The Summit to lead the Body into this time of revival and communion. I believe that the women and children within our Body saw and sensed a spirit of brokenness, honesty and faith within the men, and that in turn led them to a place of openness to God’s working. I don’t say this to puff us up or to be prideful, but rather as a means of admonishment and gravity: the spiritual condition of our men has a direct and profound impact on our wives and families.
Just as Bill and Danny have proclaimed the past several months, it is obvious that there is a “new norm”. It is no longer acceptable to remain passive and unengaged. The Lord is calling us…calling YOU…to be joined in “perfect unity” and to move His agenda forward aggressively. This is what we all long for (and secretly all dread). The Creator of the Universe is calling our name. It’s time for us to step to the plate, to be in the game, to answer the call. This is our moment. Even yet, this is THE moment. We were created to be a participant, to stand in the gap, to lock arms and march into the battle at this very hour.
I urge each of you to rise to the occasion and to fulfill your role as leaders and warriors for Christ. As the men of The Summit, and as faithful husbands, fathers, brothers and sons…heirs to the Throne…it is our time to “reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously and expect a great reward” (Men’s Fraternity: Definition of Biblical Manhood). Take the opportunity to join one of our men’s small groups or actively engage with your wife in a mixed group; just don’t let this moment pass without acting. I’m IN…are you?
“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised…But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:36/39
Kyle Hollaway
Outfitters Ministry
Download the Outfitters 2011 Annual Letter