David invited me to a Focused Living Men’s Forum which was an eye-opening experience because of their transparency and authenticity with each other. They were real dudes who told their life stories using everyday language I could identify with. It helped me to open up and be one of the guys. Over several months of relating with these guys, I actually prayed to receive Christ with yet another new friend, Perry, who challenged me to submit my life. I’ve been involved in the Forums and GRIP discipleship ever since!

Paul Cochrane took me to a FLM Men’s Forum to be around men who would encourage me on my spiritual journey and answer my many questions. I remember that it was after one of the Thursday morning Men's Forums that I put my faith in Jesus Christ and received His forgiveness. Perry was the first call I made to tell him of this good news as he had been praying for me. He was so excited to hear it. Since then my new church home, the Men's Forum and GRIP discipleship have helped me grow in my faith and walk me through my transition into marriage and fatherhood.

A few years ago I was invited to check out a Men’s Forum. As I applied the truths I learned each Wednesday morning and saw Christ in the other men I began “my own” relationship with God. My prayer life is stronger, my vision of God’s character has deepened my faith which got me through a very traumatic time in our lives. I learned that my understanding of God is way too small and I am not in control, but He is!

12 years after Bill Mason invited me to a Men's Forum, Focused Living continues to be a central part of growing in my walk with and love for Christ. God is very faithful as I have learned and benefited from each man as we share our lives, pray together and draw encouragement from each other.

As we made our case for calling our marriage quits, Perry suddenly ran down to his garage and returned with hedge clippers! He took them apart giving each of us a blade. He explained that without the “bolt” we would continue to cut each other with the blades of our tongue and attitudes, but with Christ as the bolt in the center we could work together to cut our way through the jungle of life rather than cut one another to shreds. Then he asked, “Will you each repent of the hurt you have caused each other and ask Christ as Lord and Savior to be the bolt in the center of your lives and your marriage?” We looked at each other and cried out, “Yes!”, even though we had no idea the profound impact that “yes” would have on every area of life.