MATC Pastor Testimonies
Rick (Barnabas for Crosspointe Church, Clearwater FL area)- "Thanks for the Words of Encouragement! You are like a fireball of discipleship (burning for all to see) and we are like the little sparks gaining intensity from your encouragement. Here's a report to encourage you and your team for all their efforts:
"We had about 14 of 20 Pauls attend a Discipleship Challenge over the past two weeks. It's a 30 minute session right after church based on the Barnabus Project DVD. We have one more session this week with a celebration lunch and an invitation to the new men in the church to join us. We plan to do these sessions once a quarter for the Pauls.
I am praying about a Timothy session for next month!"
Gene (Pastor, Central Church of God, Charlotte)- - "I attended the event this weekend in Charlotte and want to say that it far exceeded my expectations in every way. I was encouraged and challenged to be a better man for the glory of God. I believe it will be helpful to me for years to come! Joe White was my young life leader in High School 35 years ago and he made an impact on me then that continues to this day. Please let him know that his gift to encourage and move people is as obvious today as then. I was truly inspired to step it up in all areas of my life with the Lord's help of course! Thanks for all your efforts for the men in Charlotte!"
BJ (Charlotte)- "thanks for all you guys did. It gave me direction in my ministry. I am a young Youth Pastor and a Sunday School teacher over an adult class. I am 21 and my whole class is older than me. But now I feel that I have the tools and direction to truly lead them. Thank you for letting God use you."
Jim (Adult ministries pastor, Nampa First Church of the Nazarene)- "I want to say a big, big thank you for your encouragement through your email devotionals, encouragements and challenges. They help so much and always have been so timely for me and our guys. I appreciate you and men at the cross ministry so much. Thank you for having Boise on your confirmed list for May 1st. God bless you Joe, you are so appreciated."
Michael , Pastor/Chaplain Pathways Community Church- response to When Life Doesn't... - "I enjoyed your frankness in your testimony about going through tough times. I learned a lot from the "Men at the Cross" here in Tampa. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with a bladder disease called IC. It is very painful and there is no cure. I am put in the hospital once a year to check to see if cancer has developed. God gave me the same scripture out of 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. I wrote a lesson on it and shared it with the men I see at the local county jail where I serve as a staff chaplain. The whole thought of that context is summed up in two words, "most gladly". The Apostle Paul said those words describing his condition. It is not your ordinary, run of the mill saying during times of pain and frustration. It taught me a lot to trust in Him and to know that He has all things under His control. Look forward to seeing you here again in the future. God bless you in all your endeavors. My prayers are with you and your family. Use this time in your life to continue to glorify Him. Whenever, I think of my pain, I mourn to think of what He went through for us. God bless you and keep you in His care."
Pastor Jason - "I just wanted to let you know that I am so excited about what God is doing in the life of the Church that I pastor. We have started the Barnabas Project and had 16 guys show for the first meeting and what is more exciting is that they began to talk about God growing them into true men of God. We have had men's Bible Studies in the past but never have we had this kind of impact. These guys are seeking the "Timothy's" and are excited about it. Thank you for all you do! God is good all the Time!!!!
Bill (Raleigh)- "It is almost (unbelievable), but just like GOD, the way things are progressing. We have already had 2 meetings of Pauls on Monday mornings. On Sunday all of our men shared the 1 most significant thing we took away from MEN AT THE CROSS, at the beginning of our church service. It supercharged our church service and recommitted the men. I was in awe when we had 19 MEN ( PAULS ) show up for our Meeting of the Pauls. I can hardly wait to see what GOD has in store for us. The Barnabas Project is great. Add to it Prayer and 20 dedicated men interacting and answering your questions and it is earth shattering. Thank you for allowing God to work thru you."
Jason (Cypress, Tx)- "I was at Men at the Cross in Cypress, TX a few months ago and received the Barnabas material. I'm a youth leader at the Central Church of Christ in Bryan, TX. I just wanted to update you and let you know that me and a group of about 10 men are on our 4th week of study and it has been a blessing every time! We have been blessed with a loving group with ages from 19 all the way to 50. We meet every Thursday night and I am just blown away at the encouragement that takes place every session.
Thank you for your e-mails, they are also a great encouragement to me!"
Ken (W. Monroe)-"The first meeting went very well. We had 13 attendees, which is a big class for our church. We are praying to transform pew sitters into men actively seeking God's will with the talent they have.
Roger from Cornerstone in Raleigh brought thirteen men with him to MATC Raleigh 2009. Each man loved the conference and caught the Paul Timothy vision well. Roger went to the Barnabas meeting and loved the vision more! After the conference, each man found at least one Timothy. Some have two! Roger gets all the "Pauls" together on Monday nights and go through the Barnabas DVD training to be encouraged for meeting with their Timothys throughout the week. Their goal is to bring their Timothys to Raleigh 2010. In just the short time since the conference, men are seeing marriages being restored, homes being restored, jobs being fixed... In many ways, these men are seeing the impact of this ministry! 35+ men being disciple
John (Savannah, GA) – Please relay to Joe what an awesome tool the Barnabas Project DVD set has been to the men of our church. We have just finished our first series of classes with our Pauls and plan to train up another group starting the first of the year. I personally was blown away by the power of the last session. It was the perfect session to end the series. The visual of laying the crowns at the feet of Jesus is one that will inspire us forever. Please give Joe our thanks for his passion for men and discipleship. It is a passion we share with him.
Adrian - Response to Leadership- "Thank you! We are teaching the Barnabas Project on Sun night to the whole church."