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Iron Men – The Gathering of 1,000 Men

Iron Men – The Gathering of 1,000 Men
By Nick Anthony

The words Iron Men conjure up all kinds of images.  In fact, even as I write, there’s an Iron Man movie sequel set to be released which is expected to set box office records. The image it portrays of men is that of strength, invincibility, and power.   The number of men gathering for Iron Men in Visalia at the GateWay Church is also going to be setting records!  When men gather in numbers anywhere that exceed a couple of 100 you know there must be a powerful reason.   With last year’s attendance of around 600, this year’s ticket sales for the Iron Men kickoff are already well over 900 at the time of this writing.  These record setting numbers are happening through men inviting men only and no advertizing!

Five years ago, 8 men with Pastor John Lloyd at GateWay Church of Visalia met quietly over a vision to reach men for Christ.  Out of that tiny gathering, Iron Men’s Ministry was born with the mission of discipling men into a closer walk with God to become better leaders in their homes, churches and communities.    The power for these Iron Men comes from God’s passionate love for them.  Now, coming together by simply attending this breakfast, men are finding their true power.

“The exciting difference in Iron Men is not only how important it is to be a Christian man, but how much fun and downright cool it is also,” says Pastor Lloyd.

Four years later, that 8-man team at GateWay Church had grown into a 42-man wrecking machine called “Band of Brothers,” heaven-bent on connecting, growing, and equipping men in their local churches and through huge, purpose-driven events that are opening the eyes of men throughout Tulare County. It’s not uncommon now to see men throughout Central California sporting T-shirts with the man-styled logo of Iron Men and the verse Proverbs 27:17 on the sword shaped cross – “As Iron Sharpens Iron, so One Man Sharpens Another.”

The story became even more intriguing in 2010 as Iron Men birthed a second group with Pastor Darrin Cantrell’s blessings at CrossRoads Church, under Pastor Alex Reeder’s supervision. With Lloyd and Reeder now moving together in lock step with two enthusiastic and united leadership teams, the 5th Annual May 1st “Big Man’s Breakfast,” featuring J.P. Jones, took a leap into the stratosphere.

The purpose of the breakfast is an open door, for many men, to an unexpected experience with A LOT of Christian men having a blast as brothers in Christ.  The morning’s agenda describes the event this way “”Fast-paced, Man-food, Crazy-fun, Huge-door prizes, and an Incredible Message!” GateWay will have 150 tables all over campus with a 90 person volunteer team – many of them women – cooking a fresh breakfast on the spot.  Often the first step is just getting the men out so that they can see for themselves that fellowship can be fun.

There will be Harley-Davidson’s and other man-toys parked on display all over and live music in the background.  After eating too much, the 1000 men will enter the auditorium where some 40 door prizes, from tools to generators, will be given away before ministry videos and J.P. Jones come on to share a message of God’s plan in men’s lives.  “The goal is not to reproduce a church service…we have that on Sundays…but to take an opportunity for men to let go, connect with guys, laugh too hard, and then be inspired about how much the Bible has to say and can speak into the lives of men,” says Pastor John.

In addition, the vision, talent, and ideas that Pastor Alex and his leaders have brought to this movement are already reverberating powerfully through the results.  Furthermore, a third church in the community working with Lloyd and Reeder’s teams is already slated to launch another branch of Iron Men by August of 2010.

GateWay and CrossRoads are not shy about that fact that the overall goal, in God’s timing, is to see churches around the country start Iron Men’s Ministries.  Pastor Alex echoes this plan – “If men have an exciting avenue in their local churches to take personal responsibility for their spiritual growth – while connected to brothers who stand ‘back to back’ – then we will see a revival of faith and trust in God that will start in families and churches and spread like fire through our communities and cities.”

For Crossroads, the Iron Men’s ministry has inspired and empowered men by what they saw the men of Gateway doing for their church. Of the 1,000 plus men who will be attending the Big Man’s Breakfast on Saturday, May 1st close to 200 will be Crossroad’s men, not to mention the hundreds of other men who are representing churches from throughout the community.

This is a movement like no other in our area. It is not going to pass through town and disappear. It will grow and continue to change lives.   You can read and learn more about it directly from some of the “Iron Men” themselves.

Iron Men speak out about their experiences since becoming a part of the movement:
Quotes from the men:

Mark Atkins says, “For me the Iron Men movement has brought me multiple ways to use the information.  Each year I have become a better husband and father and it has given me a better quality of life”.

Bill Yoshimoto- “It has been a transforming movement for our church. It’s where real men can get connected with other men in an authentic and manly way that isn’t threatening! So many other programs are directed to women and children and they don’t truly honor men.  This is a process that is manly, positive, and affirming. It focuses on teaching and building relationships that improve in all aspects from your relationship with your wife, children to other men. It gives you the tools you need and adds encouragement and support through other men.”

Paul Greidanus – “I have been a part of this since the beginning. It has given me a serious passion to reach out to men for Christ.  It has created relationship with a whole bunch of guys doing cool things like riding motorcycles and working on projects together.  It works because if you work side by side on an objective whether it is flipping pancakes or digging a hole we have to depend on each other to get it done. That’s how we begin a relationship. We work back to back and it happens.”

Dave Preston- “it’s been a totally awesome experience for me in many ways. I have seen people close to me go through major personal changes. It has taken them out of a drug experience into the relationship with God.  The overall experience has increased my faith and made me a stronger man. It has also unified our church.”
Kevin Porterfield – “Over all it has changed my life, it has made my marriage better, my relationship with friends better and I’m a better father. “

Christopher Williams- “I am one of the first guys that’s been involved from the start. Being in Iron Men has been a life changing experience. I thought I was having a good walk with God but this has opened my eyes to what I was lacking.  I depend more on the Lord and it is so much more fulfilling. Iron Men is a very rewarding movement that brings other men together in a special way and helps them grow. “

Danny Little- “Iron men assembles men to be leaders and rallies them in a unique way. It bridges the gap for the in-between times from event to event.  Men that attend the breakfast can then expand the experience and go on to the retreat.  It just doesn’t end when the Breakfast is over like so many other events do.  The experience continues and it builds camaraderie and companionship.  I’ve seen these men exemplify what the event stands for and it is very uplifting.”

Randy Payne- “My prior spiritual growth was on a slow track. When I started at Gateway and became involved with Iron Men it has evolved and put me on the fast track. I’ve grown more in the last 5 years than I have the other 16 of my walk with Christ. It is amazing to share with other mature Christian men and to be able to open up about whatever I’m struggling with. It has help my relationships with my wife and and kids and even work relationships are much stronger. The communications skills have made a big difference for me. It is a wonderful thing in our community and I am praying we are able to reach many other men in our community that can benefit from this experience and change their life in a positive way.”

Jeremy Collins – “I have been involved for the past 3 years and it has made a big difference for me.  3 years ago I officially accepted Christ – I finally realized that I had not completely given myself to God until then.  When you are able to give up the things that you should not be doing and to walk with Him completely, it makes a big difference. Iron Men brings brothers together and helps them come together in whatever they are struggling with.  We share with our brothers how to incorporate God into what they may be going through.  Knowing that you can receive peace and joy and look forward to resolution in any of life’s trials is amazing.”

The Annual Big Man’s Breakfast has been designed to be that first step in becoming part of Iron Men.
For more information on Iron Men’s Ministries email jlloyd@gatewayvisalia.com or go to www.gatewayvisalia.com