WINTER 2022
Knowing God with Kevin Elsasser (BC Men’s Ministry Committee Member) I am very excited to be the newest member of the Men’s Network team. One of my passions is to see men grow in their faith. I presently live in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. I have been married for twenty-three years and have two teenage children. I love to study God’s word and to pass it on to others. I remember what it was like when I first found Jesus, or perhaps I should say that Jesus found me. John Wesley, a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England said, “I felt I did Captain Kevin Elsasser, Comox Valley trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given to me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” Like Wesley, I experienced a warming of my heart and an assurance of my salvation. Knowing Jesus led me to study the entire Bible. I needed to understand what the Bible teaches about redemption, faith, sin repentance, salvation, and the gospel. The Gospel means, “Good news.” It tells the story of redemption and how God takes a person like me, who is an enemy of God, and adds me to His Kingdom. Paul said, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) The most important decision that anyone can make is to know Jesus and to grow in their faith. I am challenging each person who reads this article to ask themselves the question of how knowledgeable they are about the Bible. Perhaps this is the year to recommit to reading, or listening, to the Bible. I promise that if you read the Bible and put it into practice, God will begin to transform your life.
Our Purpose “Calling and equipping every man to be a transforming influence in their family, church and community.”
Encourage • Embrace • Equip • Engage ENCOURAGING:
Authentic encouragement helps people overcome fear and builds morale. It sets the example to build each other up and builds confidence to face challenges. The gift of encouragement can transform people and circumstances while creating the desire to take positive, forward thinking action. Encouragement establishes hope. When you encourage others, you encourage yourself. We believe in you and that you can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. The desired end-result would be stronger men who can influence others in doing the right thing.
EMBRACING:
Local corps events like Monthly Men’s Breakfasts, sporting events, golf outings, etc. and area and divisional events like The Gatherings, and other large men’s events with a focus to embrace men in each corps/ unit through multiple non-threatening portals of entry into a fellowship of men for friendship, inspiration and connections. The desired end-result would be men connected to each other in every unit and to create avenues where men can invite their friends and co-workers to attend these events and eventually to attend church with them.
EQUIPPING:
Using resources like discipling tools, books, videos and seminars, the focus is to facilitate the work of the Holy Spirit to purify and transform men to pursue a life long path of Holiness. This would occur on a local corps/unit level but also in area wide gatherings for teaching. The desired end-result would be Godly men committed to a life of purity and Holiness.
ENGAGING:
Upon embarking on a transforming life journey, partnered with other men, the focus is to re-engage the men to be a transforming influence in their families (husband, father, grandfather, etc.) church and the communities and relationships they find themselves. The desired end-result would be increase spiritual leadership in the home and church and an embodiment of Christ where ever these men go in their communities.