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I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13
Recently, in my quiet times, I have focused more on prayer and reading the Bible for pleasure as opposed to studying the Bible. When Paul wrote this, he was in prison in Asia. We know that Paul had some pretty good times and some pretty bad times. What a gift the Lord gave Paul to have learned the secret of being content in every situation. As men we need to learn the secret of being content in every situation.
While I am content with where we currently are in men’s ministries, I would like to see the entire Alliance Men’s board filled. The Lord truly has blessed Alliance Men ministries. In the last year we have added four very talented men to our board. Wayne Harrison, from Abundant Life Church, joined us to help with work projects. You may have seen Wayne’s handiwork if you saw the Rosedale Church. (Wayne was responsible for turning a two-car garage into an awesome sanctuary.) Gary Robinson, from Chapel Hill Church, joined to help us with media arts. (You recently saw Gary’s work on the Alliance Men’s Leadership brochure.) Gary is very talented and enjoys using his gifts in this area to serve the Lord. Many of you may know Mike Brue who has been a pastor, an adjunct professor, elder, and has been involved in some pastor-mentoring. Mike will join the board and help in several areas. Our newest member is Kevin Elkington from Metro Alliance. Kevin is joining our team and will be using his gifts of administration to help with planning retreats.
Alliance Men's Groups – Bryan Hetterscheidt, H) 419.768.3102, bdhetter@safe-t.net
I serve on the Central District Alliance Men’s Ministry team as Men’s Ministry Coordinator and Vice President. My responsibilities are to help churches with encouragement and resources they could use to begin a men’s ministry in their church, suggestions for event speakers, and help in the training of leaders. Several questions to ask yourself about your existing men’s ministry: Do our men invite non-Christian friends to our events? Are men’s lives being changed through our ministry? Are we discipling men to be strong Christians and leaders? Are we planning programs or are relationships being developed? Is the men’s ministry at our church a one-man show? Are men reading their Bibles daily? Do our men know how to pray? Are they learning to pray privately and corporately? Are new Christian brothers being mentored?
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Some good websites to get you going are: www.cmamen.org, www.maninthemirror.org, www.buildingbrothers.org, www.topgunministries.org, www.biblegateway.com, www.barna.org, www.netresults.org.
Evangelistic Training – Paul Buzzi, H) 330.867.6638, C) 330.322.1901, pbspirit@neo.rr.com
For 2007 it is our prayer, and I hope all will join us, that the men will have, more than ever before, hearts for the lost. Many of our churches had wonderful outreach events last year and many new souls have become children of God as a result. Paul Buzzi, Evangelism Coordinator, spoke at several events and Sunday services. At a service on December 31 at Christian Alliance Church in Willard, OH, a dear young lady came to the Lord. What a way to end 2006! Sharing the “How To” of successful events to encourage other men’s groups is a goal for 2007.
Paul hopes to initiate a brief “newsletter” this year as an informational tool if there is sufficient interest and willing participation. Each issue will feature one of our men or men’s groups.
We are able to provide speakers to help with:
How to Share Your Testimony
Holding a Home Evangelical Bible Study [Seminar Tapes / Staff Available]
Holding a Resurrection Breakfast
Sharing Your Faith
Making Full Proof of Your Ministry
Being Useful in the Master’s Hands
Questions, Suggestions, Contributions -- Let us hear from you.
Media Arts – Gary Robinson, C) 330.715.0932, robinson434@sbcglobal.net
On November 16, 2006, I attended my first Alliance Men's board meeting and was appointed as the board's Media Coordinator. Since that time, I have worked on a couple different brochures for Alliance Men ministries including the Alliance Men’s Leadership Retreat and the Resurrection Celebration Prison Ministry. I am currently working on several video graphic templates for churches that have projection capabilities to use this as part of their worship experience.
I look forward to what challenges lie ahead as 2007 unfolds. God has given the talent, and I anticipate using it in the different areas where He leads me. I hope to make myself available for more print design work, as well as consulting on video graphic design for churches that have, or are thinking about having, this tool added to their worship services.
Missionary Wheels – John Frank, W) 740.453.0573, C) 740.819.4796, jandbfrank@columbus.rr.com
The year 2006 was a busy one for Missionary Wheels. In August, we had 19 missionary families using vehicles. For the first time, a number of missionaries on special tours were permitted to use Missionary Wheels vehicles, so combined with the missionaries on regular tours, we were presented a number of logistical challenges with over half a dozen vehicles on the road just for missionary tours September through mid-November. This summer more than 15 missionaries will be using Missionary Wheels vehicles.
Missionary Wheels received $13,272 from men's groups in 31 of our 86 churches in the Central District. We received $8,000 from Wind and Fire to be used toward the purchase of a new vehicle. We were able to buy a 2002 Chrysler Voyager with only 23,000 miles. Five vehicles were donated to Missionary Wheels.
While it is a blessing to be involved with Missionary Wheels, we have a couple of concerns. Our vehicles are aging; many of them have over 100,000 miles and the repair costs are increasing. At the same time, giving to Missionary Wheels is slightly down. In 2005 there were 46 district churches that supported Missionary Wheels; in 2006 that number dropped to 31. We are concerned that the day is coming when we will have to turn away a missionary in need due to lack of funds.
Pastoral Care – Mike Brue, H) 740.397.7985, C) 740.398.7835, truebrue5@gmail.com and Carl Ralston, H) 330.645.7007, C) 330.603.7777, carl@remembernhu.org
If the Lord would let me choose what to do, it would be pastoral care. Jesus has given me a great deal of respect and admiration for pastors. Since the day I accepted Christ as Lord of my life, I have had many close friendships with the pastors in my life. I hope the pastors of the Central District know the love and respect that I have for them. This is truly a labor of love for me.
In all sincerity, one of things I most look forward to each year is the Pastor Appreciation Golf Outing. It is a joy to talk with, laugh with, and hit a few golf shots with district pastors. Last year we played the beautiful Rosemont Country Club. We had a great lunch and still got done in time for everyone to make their meetings. This year we will play at the beautiful Lakeview Resort. Alliance Men Ministries is fortunate enough to treat the pastors to a free lunch and free golf. The blessing is ours, as usual.
I look forward to Mike Brue’s involvement in this area of ministry. Mike has a well-rounded education, both academically and life experience. He will be an asset to Alliance Men ministries.
Prayer – Bob Storch, H) 740.385.8530, rstorch@buckeyenet.net
Bob is very involved in his community and church in the area of prayer. He is a true prayer warrior and his prayers for Alliance Men have been effective. This is evidenced by the fact that we now have 10 of our 12 positions filled. Praise be to Jesus!
Prison Ministry – Terry Lumley, C) 330.819.7077, tlumleyus@yahoo.com
On April 15, 2006, we held our annual Resurrection Celebration for approximately 750 inmates in 13 facilities in Stark, Summit and Medina Counties. We went in with over 2,700 doughnuts and armed with the message of hope. We put on an Easter service for the inmates complete with a speaker and worship leader. In many of our facilities, our volunteers got the chance to have “one-on-one” time with the prisoners to pray with them and tell them about Jesus. Last year we had over 400 decisions for Christ made possible with the work of our 75 district volunteers. The chaplains in each facility will now follow up with each inmate that made a commitment.
I would like to encourage churches in Stark, Summit, and Medina Counties to plan on joining us next year for another great day of ministry. Our Resurrection Celebration will take place on March 22, 2008. I would be happy to come to your church and speak about the prison ministry. We have been doing this ministry in Stark and Summit County for more than 10 years. If you know someone in your Alliance church that has a passion for prison ministry, I would be thrilled to assist them in setting up a ministry like this in your county.
Retreat Coordinator – Kevin Elkington, H) 216.287.2290, elvington@sbcglobal.net
During the next year we will have two retreats. One will be Wind and Fire. This one-day event is planned for February 2008. We hope this timing will give more men who wanted to attend the chance to join us. A second retreat will be Alliance Men’s Leadership. Early this year we had our first Alliance Men’s Leadership retreat and Kevin joined our team as a result of this retreat.
Treasurer – Bob Rider, H) 740.454.1818, RRider4@columbus.rr.com
Bob has faithfully served Alliance Men ministries for several years as treasurer and has recently had some health issues. In lieu of a report, we ask for your prayers for Bob and his family.
Work Projects – Wayne Harrison, H) 330.767.3941, wayneandpeggy@sssnet.com
A work day was scheduled at Beulah Beach in May. Approximately 70 men participated. The projects consisted of: scraping and painting, roofing, deck framing, and landscaping. Much was accomplished and good fellowship was had by all.
At King Road Alliance Church in Ashland, three men, in addition to men of the church, were sufficient to help and encourage them in putting a new roof on the portion of the church being done this year. The men of King Road stripped off the old shingles and papered the roof. Alliance Men assisted by supplying roofing nailers and expertise. All worked hard, leaving only a small amount of roofing to be completed by the men of the church. God's blessing was on those who attended and new friends were made. Ladies of the church prepared food ... enough to feed an army!
Work days at Beulah Beach have already been scheduled for this year -- Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19. Please announce these dates to your men's group so they can schedule.
Appreciation
I would like to close by thanking the pastors and churches who are sharing their leaders to work with Alliance Men and the Alliance Men board members: Mike Brue, Paul Buzzi, Kevin Elkington, John Frank, Wayne Harrison, Bryan Hetterscheidt, Terry Lumley, Robert Rider, Gary Robinson, and Robert Storch. My appreciation goes to the Way Out Ministry and to the Summit and Portage County jails. I would like to thank the staff at the district office: Jennifer Cyphers, Judy Jelus, Barb Meier, Rev. Jeff Miller, and Rev. Todd Sovine. I would like to give a special thanks to Rev. Gordon Meier, D.Min., for the encouragement, guidance, and grace he extends to me and the ways in which the Lord uses him to help me grow closer to Jesus. I thank my wife for the support and encouragement she gives and for being my number one fan. And I thank our Wonderful Lord that uses a man like me. May Jesus be glorified by Alliance Men and in every aspect of my life!
Respectfully submitted,
Carl Ralston
Alliance Men Ministries President
National C&MA Men's Ministries | 
