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God answered prayer as Phil and Paul arrived safely on May 24th for the 2007 North Carolina Home Education Association state convention laden with a trailer-load of books, CDs and DVDs. They were followed by Susy and Susanna, who spent most of the next 3 days standing on concrete answering questions and ministering to hundreds as they sold materials from our booth. 2,000 people packed into Phil’s plenary session, “Building World-changing Leaders for Christ.” 
Susy said, “The Lord really touched us all. I actually cried three times and came away so encouraged in the value of discipleship.” Paul sharing with his dad in the area of sexual purity was probably the highlight of the conference for many men. And the workshop on encouraging the homeschool mom was packed.
Ernie Hodges, President of the NCHEA, had this to say: “The Downers did an excellent job for our convention. They brought a powerful emphases on parenting, which Phil also models practically though his family outside of his presentations. We received very good responses from our attendees about their presentations, which were very supportive of the homeschool mom and the homeschool movement. We would like to bring the Downers back in the future.”
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| Pat Morley Paul Downer Phil Downer Steve Farrar Rick Kingham |
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Phil and Paul Downer and Discipleship Network of America have received the honor of being named the 2007 Ministry of the Year, a distinction awarded by their peers at the national conference of the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries (NCMM) in Kansas City, Missouri, April 12, 2007. The award was presented by Steve Farrar, Pat Morley, and NCMM President, Rick Kingham. NCMM is the largest consortium of denomination-sponsored and para-church men’s ministries in the U.S.
Phil Downer is President of Discipleship Network of America (DNA), a conference speaking ministry that has ministered to thousands of men and women across the U.S. and Canada. Two years ago, Phil Downer teamed up with his son, Paul Downer, expanding their efforts to speak to and reach the X- and Z-generations. Since then, this dynamic father-son speaking team has become increasingly well-known. Now in its 7th year, DNA is dedicated to discipling people to become disciple-makers through the avenues of men’s ministry, church couple’s ministry, homeschool conferences, and military ministry.
Phil has appeared on Focus on the Family, and spoken multiple times for Promise Keepers. He is an author of 6 books on various aspects of discipleship, including Eternal Impact, and the editor of a 7th book, Effective Men’s Ministry, on behalf of NCMM—all of which teach biblical principles for building spiritually sound relationships and thereby apply the Word of God in their lives as disciple-makers.
At the presentation of the 2007 Ministry of the Year Award, Morley said of Phil Downer: “I don’t know anybody in the entire United States who is more passionate about making disciples of men than you—and now your son!” Farrar said, “I love Phil’s heart. I think he’s the real deal. I think he’s authentic. This is ministry as it’s supposed to be.” In summation, Rick Kingham said, “We are honored to present this award to you.”
When handed the microphone, Downer turned the attention away from himself saying, “When you are sawed in half and the pain is so great that all you can see is Jesus, these men [referring to NCMM members] are here to back you up, pray for you and encourage you.”
Paul Downer, 24, said that the twenty-something generation has five primary questions for which we must have compelling answers: origin, meaning, morality, identity, and destiny—the most urgent of which is their “crying need for meaning.” For this reason, he encouraged, “if this next generation is to be reached for Christ, we must raise up leaders equipped to connect God’s life-changing truths to the passionate quest for meaning.”
Phil and Paul’s ministry is endorsed by Howard Hendricks, Kay Arthur, and Ron Blue.
Contact:
Dwayne Parsons, Press Agent
208-290-2300
or for more information and bookings:
PhilDowner@DNAministries.org;
(423) 886-6362
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Without question, few developments have been as exciting in DNA over the past two years than Paul’s joining Phil and Susy in the ministry full-time as of June of 2005. It truly has been a gift straight from the hand of God. He and Phil are the most effective duo you can imagine, running the office together, developing new speaking material, strategizing about the direction of the ministry, and traveling and team-speaking together at an average of two conferences per month around the US and Canada. According to Phil, their relationship goes beyond  father-son to the oneness of co-laborers. Paul says that he really feels God at work through their speaking and one-on-one interactions with the men at the conferences, and they always return overflowing with stories of what God has done and glowing with the thrill of ministry “on the front lines.”
On a typical weekend on the road, Paul will take a third to half of each session to relate his point of view and perspectives at couples, men’s and family conferences. During one stretch in the fall of 2006, he was out six consecutive weekends, although the goal is to try to limit his travels to an average of twice a month because of his demanding schedule in the office, editing and republishing DNA’s books, preparing new conference material, raising his support, producing ministry brochures and correspondence, managing the DNA inventory and warehouse, and giving great oversight to the administration of the ministry in many other ways.
Some of Paul’s most valued ministry opportunities over these past two years have been volunteering as a mentor at Red Bank High School with Young Life, working with the kids at the Community Kitchen, helping lead a small group at his church, and leading a Wednesday morning discipleship group with his buddies at a local coffee shop (pictured below). Every time Phil and Paul speak together there are numerous people  lined up to talk to Paul about how to relate, befriend, impact, and disciple Quarterlifers – those individuals who are more and more hitting a “quarter-life crisis” at ages 18-28, a subject which has become a major area of study in Paul’s discipleship efforts. He also continues to extremely enjoy his weekly one-on-one time building into the guys God has brought across his path. After being full-time with DNA for now two years, Paul is still only growing in enthusiasm for the privilege of being a part of this dynamic, multi-faceted ministry. If you ask him, he will tell you that his favorite thing about his work is the rich variety it offers, uniquely bringing together his passions for public speaking, devotional theology, mentoring, writing, management, marketing, administration, finance, and entrepreneurship. We pray that God will continue to guide, sustain, and protect us as a ministry team as we seek to faithfully steward the ministry He has entrusted to us.
A Discipleship Moment is a powerful one-minute radio program that airs weekdays nationwide on 122 stations via the Moody Broadcasting Network, Truth Talk  Live, and the Syrius Satellite Network (Channel 161). In these programs, Phil and Paul use Scripture, vivid stories and practical suggestions to teach the how, what, where, when, and who of discipleship. In a society where life moves at a break-neck pace, it is more vital than ever to flavor the most normal moments of our days with substantive ideas and life-sharpening truths. A Discipleship Moment is designed to do just that. Listeners from around the  country have commented on how helpful these practical and rich one-minute programs are to listen to, whether on the radio as you commute or in your CD player at home. One man has even purchased a set of them as a resource for discipling men. He sits down with his man at a restaurant, hands him a pair of headphones, plays the sixty-second program, asks him what he thinks of it, and discussion flows from there! Every program contains Scripture, a life example, and a challenge, bringing home for the listener one key idea on what it means to live as disciples of Christ by discipling others to become disciple-makers. To request your free CD (average of 22 programs each), contact us at PhilDowner@DNAministries.org.
“Phil, I have been praying for a young woman in my office and sharing with her as I can. This morning, she came to the prayer breakfast and prayed to receive Christ!”
This was just one of the many wondrous things God did in the two outreach meetings in California during the week of March 26, 2007. The Fremont Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast was coordinated through the Prayer Breakfast Network, started 15 years ago by Kermit Sutherland. The interdenominational organizing committee of men and women had prayed and worked over the last 12 months and the Breakfast was packed out, with about 410 people. Fremont is a city in the heart of Silicon Valley – a city where 67% of the citizens have a bachelor’s degree or better. Scores of public officials, such as city council members, teachers, administrators, law enforcement officers, business and community people attended the Prayer Breakfast. At the close of the meeting, to God’s glory, 88 men and women indicated they prayed to receive Christ.
One man complained to Phil that he had not mentioned that there were many ways to worship God, and he was concerned that a man sitting at his table, dressed in religious garments of a robe and head covering, might have been offended. As Phil talked to this church member, the man acknowledged that Jesus had said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” And after further discussion, he responded favorably to Phil’s suggestion that perhaps he should invite the man to dinner and begin to build a relationship with him.
On Thursday evening, it was unusual to witness the success of a church in California garnering so many un-churched people to their auditorium for a men’s night where Phil again shared not only his testimony with an invitation to pray, but a lengthier message including Scripture illustrations and a challenge for Christians to get involved in the Great Commission of making disciples.
One man who had been an avowed atheist until he read Strobel’s book, The Case for Christ, was overwhelmingly thankful that his un-churched friend had been among the 15 who prayed to receive Christ. And he was also one of the 60 who asked God for one man to disciple.
Bear in mind, this was not exactly the Bible Belt. If God can touch so many in California, He can in your community, too. Why not call Kermit Sutherland at 714-528-7840 and ask for help in starting a community leadership Prayer Breakfast in your area? For references on the Prayer Breakfast Network, please note that Fritz Klump, who served as executive director of CBMC, serves as an advisory board member for the ministry, and staff members of Campus Crusade and the Navigators are included in those supporting and bringing guests to these events. Also, please feel free to contact us if you feel that the Lord may be leading you to consider Phil or Phil and Paul as a speaker in your community. (423.886.6362)
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Phil has prayed for 25 years that he could go back to the Marine bases and share the gospel. The Lord has now graciously opened those doors on three bases through wonderful Navy chaplains, the Navigators, and Campus Crusade. Phil was at Parris Island over the weekend of February 24, 2007.
During his time on base at Parris Island, Phil was able to share during two chapel services, giving his personal testimony about combat in Viet Nam, John Atkinson dying in his place, and his leaving the war but taking the combat into marriage. He also presented scripture and a clear gospel message. God did a mighty work! That morning 1,007 Marine recruits left their seats, came to the altar, knelt, and prayed to receive Christ! In Phil's words, "So many came forward that they filled the front of the chapel and three aisles in what looked like a sea of kneeling people with bad haircuts. It was beyond anything I have ever experienced and I know in my heart that this was God's work and God's doing. He gets all the credit!" Please pray for these young men and women and the great local team who will be doing the follow-up. |
| Phil in Viet Nam, 1967 |
Every time Phil goes to a Marine base to speak, his time in the service seems like just yesterday. At times he also feels weighted down with the awesome responsibility of sharing with these young Marines the way to a right relationship with God, knowing that almost all of them are headed for combat from which some will not return. Please pray that Phil would keep his focus on the Lord and let God’s Spirit do the rest as he continues to labor in this vital ministry to our brave men and women in uniform.
 In October of 2006, at Camp Pendleton, thanks to the Navigators staff and Navy chaplains, 406 Marine recruits indicated they prayed to receive Christ. Please pray that all 1,012 Marines Phil talked to during those chapel times will have dealt with the inner war of finding peace through Jesus Christ before they depart for Iraq.
One of the most touching things that happened to Phil on base was hearing a young Christian Marine say that Phil’s story of how the training at Camp Pendleton had helped him stay alive in Viet Nam was just what he needed to overcome the bitterness he had toward his instructors who had punished a whole company of men because just two had gotten into a fight. Phil continues to be impressed with the quality of young people enlisting in the Marine Corps today, the devotion of their drill instructors, and the officers leading them. He has also observed the significant stress on the Navigators staff and chaplains who feel such a responsibility for these young Marines who are constantly shipping in and shipping out. Phil said it is like trying to build a relationship with someone who is traveling on a local bus.
 As Phil speaks to Marines in training, most of whom will be at war in a matter of months, he is reminded from time to time that their most difficult war is often at home. One young man he spoke with told him how he and his wife had just lost their children to the county authorities. As he prayed for the young Marine and his family, he was deeply aware that he did not have all the answers for this crisis that was tearing this man’s heart in two. But he knew God surely did. With struggles at home and combat ahead, please pray for these young warriors for wisdom, courage, and to embrace Jesus Christ and the peace and true life that only He can bring as they face both the inner and outer battles in their lives.
In Ezekiel 3:17, we see that the Lord appointed special watchmen to warn their generations with the Word of God. Because of those of you who have stood with us, prayed for us, and invested in the work God has given us, we have been enabled to serve as watchmen warning our countrymen, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and teaching and equipping Christians for discipleship. Through your support and prayers we have seen God move in marvelous ways to expand DNA and make it more effective this year than ever before.
Today is January 1, 2007. At the beginning of a new year, I always find it instructive to review the previous year and take an inventory of what God has done. It not only causes me to be grateful. It also reminds me so how utterly dependent upon God all of us are for any fruit to come about, as Jesus says it in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” Throughout this past year, God has multiplied DNA’s ministry exponentially, bringing about an unprecedented degree of fruitfulness. And as we read in the verse above, it is purely to His credit and glory.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord has:
- …changed lives, restored marriages, and encouraged and equipped thousands for discipleship. Since our inception six years ago, we have conducted 184 events, in 115 cities, 38 states, and 3 countries. To date, the Lord has caused 49,325 people to ask Him for one person to disciple.
- …established, deepened and furthered church-wide ministry as I have spoken - half the time joined by Paul and sometimes by Susy - in over 35 conferences and events during the year of 2006.
- …taken the gospel 63 times to Marines on three bases where to date 6,546 Marines have prayed to receive Christ, with follow-up provided by faithful Navy Chaplains, Navigators, and Campus Crusade staff.
- …expanded the ministry through 18 part-time and full-time Field Staff Directors, who have helped garner, establish and follow up our conferences coast-to-coast.
- …allowed us to continue our marketplace and church outreach ministry through the Prayer Breakfast Network, various church outreach ministries and conferences, and CBMC. During our six years of ministry, we have shared the gospel of Christ with 45,208 people at 222 events in 116 cities, 35 states or provinces, and 3 countries. To God’s glory and by His grace 12,244 people have responded that they prayed to receive Christ.
- …sustained Alice, Paul, and Susy in the ongoing administration and operation of the ministry, the publication and distribution of our 7 books and other materials.
- …taken the message of winning and discipling people nationwide and into Canada, on 122 radio stations that air A Discipleship Moment.
- …provided for our bi-monthly appearance on a national one-hour call-in talk show dealing with various aspects of winning and discipling people. The show is Stu Epperson’s TruthTalk Live radio program, carried on the network and the Sirius Satellite channel.
Our 2007 calendar is filling up, with Paul joining me in speaking about 50% of the time. Our first 6 months are fully booked with 18 major conferences and retreats plus a number of outreaches through Prayer Breakfast Network, CBMC, and our ministry to the United States Marines.
God has wonderfully sustained our family through the year. In addition to Paul joining DNA, Abigail is in law school, Matt is in his final year of college and engaged to be married to Amber, Anna and Josh are in college, Susanna continues to be homeschooled by Susy, and Susy and I remain healthy and thankful for the joy of working together in DNA.
Prayer: Please pray for three significant developments in the ministry.
First is a major regional discipleship conference sponsored by three Navigators staff and the pastors of 12 churches in North Canton, Ohio. Every conference is important and strategic, but this one – with the potential citywide impact, committed support of local pastors, and solid Navigator follow-up – models something we would like to do in many places and more often.
Second are the Iron Sharpens Iron conferences – totaling 24 nationwide – which have been developed by one of our FSDs, Brian Doyle. They are hosted around the country both by Brian’s team and by other ministry leaders including three more of our FSDs. Paul and I are speaking at the ones in Spokane WA, Burlington VT, Clinton IA, Reno NV, and Chattanooga TN this year. These are extremely effective and vital events with regional impact, but local church sponsorship, and we believe they will greatly impact our country.
Third is the expansion of the military ministry to more bases and into the special forces.
Fourth is a concentrated series of four discipleship conferences at a single church, with Paul and I speaking. The church considering this is First Baptist of Naples FL, pastored by Dr. Hayes Wicker, who is a strong endorser of ours and president of the Florida Southern Baptist Convention. This is an idea birthed by Don Ingle, the church’s men’s ministry leader, with Carl Jolliff (CBMC leader of Peoria IL) and Don Mitchell (past Chairman of the Board, CBMC International). The series is designed to engage the challenge of why so many in the church are not discipling and what can be done about it.
Here are some excerpts from my letter to Carl about the purpose of the conferences, and the list of topics we gave them, from which they will select 16 sessions:
Being a disciple is, of course, essential for making disciples. Being a disciple requires living a Christ-centered life as a man, being a godly husband and faithful father/grandfather, contributing as a member of the body of Christ to a church, and seeing one's role in the community as a soldier for Christ cleverly disguised as a construction worker, banker, salesman, pastor, etc. The problem is that most people feel inadequate and are therefore unwilling to take on the mission of going into all the world and making disciples. The inadequacies include insecurity, struggles with pornography, anger, unforgiveness, an unfulfilling work environment, marriage conflicts, challenges with children, bad health, and other life issues. In other words, too many of our church members, even ones shepherded by godly pastors in wonderful church communities, never get to the point of thinking they can or should disciple. We are laboring under the misconception that discipleship can only be done after we have reached success in all these other areas, when actually the process of discipleship and making disciples is one of God's greatest avenues for growing all of us in all of those areas of struggle. That's why Matt 28:19 does not say "go and make disciples after you have become a mature Christian and successful husband, father, etc." It is through the discipleship process that God does special miracles in everyone involved and increases our hunger for Him and His mission for the church.
Our calling and passion is to address men's greatest challenges transparently and biblically in the context of discipleship, which frees and equips them to disciple. For example, there are many reasons why I have this week not been tempted to be unfaithful to Susy in thought word or deed, but one reason is that I spent an hour with a man who is walking through the pain and destruction caused by his adultery. He would say I am helping him, but also God is using my time of discipleship with him to help me.
Another man whose wife left him for her boss has now had to come face-to-face with his insensitivity, inattentiveness, unavailability, distraction, and general slothfulness as a husband and father. He did not do any of the "big sins" - he has just been more guided by CNN, Fox News, and ESPN than by a deep personal devotional time with Jesus, studied attentiveness to his pastor's sermons, and transparent accountability with a men's group at church. Had he been doing those three things and had a discipleship relationship with another man as a laboratory of life – living out what he was learning – he could have heeded all the warning signs. Instead, when God showed him the warnings, he willfully drove right past them, spending scores of hours a week reading news stories about people he could not change and wildly cheering for teams whose owners, coaches, and players could not have cared less about him. All too many men are investing themselves in things that they cannot make last and negligently ignoring the things that will live eternally. They are forfeiting eternal rewards and genuine joy now in pursuit of counterfeit worldly attractions.
The four conference sessions are titled: (1) The Essentials of Being a Disciple as a Man; (2) Effective Spiritual Leadership of the Home through Discipleship; (3) Effective Servant-Leadership for a Man in His Church through Discipleship; and (4) The Extension of our Church Ministry into Business and the Community through Discipleship. Each session could be built around 4 topics each from the list below.
Think about it – the results, God willing, could be that every ministry of the church is functioning better, is more easily maintained, and is experiencing exponential growth because they are led and served by trained men who have a focus on spiritual reproduction and who see themselves as disciple makers. If men saw their gifts and experiences in administration, teaching, or worship from the discipleship point of view, they would go beyond accounting, content transfer, or merely playing music to devoting themselves to reproducing their lives spiritually into the lives of others. They would train and disciple more people who would bring their gifts to serve in the church. The greatest untapped resource in the church is its members who need to find answers to their struggles. They should use that as an opportunity to teach others along the way, with everyone growing in their relationship with the Lord as they go. Most pastors are doing a fabulous job of teaching the Word of God and exhorting, but men, like pre-med students, need the lab class for hands-on dissection and practical exploration to live out the content of the lecture-based anatomy classes. Discipleship is the Lord's spiritual lab.
These are the topics, 16 of which could constitute the four main sessions:
- From Hell to Eternity through Discipleship
- Oneness & Intimacy in Marriage through Discipleship
- Leaving a Godly Legacy - Discipling Your Children
- Going into the World and Making Disciples
- Gaining Victory over an Undisciplined Faith, Attitude, and Life
- Developing the Biblical Disciplines to be a One-Woman Man
- Succeeding in Accountability in a David and Jonathan Relationship
- Allowing God to Channel Himself through Your Family, Work, Church, and Entire Life
- A Call to Commitment - Following Christ Wholeheartedly
- The Results of Teenage Years without Godly Training
- Building Relationships with Peers and Parents, Friends and Co-workers
- Solving Conflicts with People of Different Gifts
- Accountability as a Steward of your Time, Talent, & Treasure
- Finding Victory in a Sex-Crazed World
- Couples Ministry that is Fun and Fruitful
- Building a Family with a Vision to Change your Church and the World
- God’s Choice for Leadership: Broken Vessels, Strong Foundations
- The Heart of Leadership: Prayer, Faith, and Vision
- Leadership Hurdles: Clearing Them for the Long Haul
- The Scope of Leadership: A Mandate to Change The World through Marriage, Family, Church and Work
- Marriages can Thrive – Not just Survive
- Intimacy and Communication
- Rebuilding Relationships and Healing Hurts
- For Men Only: Practical and Biblical Steps to Living a Life of Purity
- For Married Women Only: A Woman's Call to Shoulder the Challenge of a Sexually Pure Marriage
- Establishing a Legacy through Generations to Come: The Ministry of a Couple
- As Parents, We are Watchmen for our Family, Church, Community and Generation to Come
- Keys to Godly Discipline, for Dad, Mom, Son, Daughter, Grandson, and Granddaughter
- Becoming a Man who Loves God's Word and Influences Others to do the Same
- Overcoming the Flesh and Turning Laziness into Diligence
- Resolving Conflict in the Home, Church and Workplace through Truth and Love
- Developing the Biblical Family Values of Purity for Mom, Dad, and Children in Home, Church and Community
- Reaching and Discipling Others for Christ
Could your church benefit from such a series? Please let us know if you want us to contact your church about presenting these topics.
Thank you so much for your faithful support – you are a mighty evidence of God’s grace toward us.
Because He lives,
Phil Downer
“I am so thankful for the Prayer Breakfast because my husband never talks about Viet Nam. But I have lived with it through his pain and anger every day for the last 35 years.”
These were the words of a Christian couple, both of whom had come to Christ many years ago, but had never dealt with the wounds of the war. After so many years of unresolved pain, they felt that the events of September 15 and 16, 2006, were a whole new beginning for them.
After flight delays on Friday, running miles in the Minneapolis airport only to miss the connecting plane, flying to Bismarck, North Dakota and driving to Pierre, South Dakota, Phil and Susy finally arrived late Friday night in time to stand outside the town stadium and hear the Beach Boys take the vets back to the 60’s. God held the weather back, first for the parade Saturday morning, and then for the memorial that afternoon. With F-16s and helicopters flying by, smoke grenades going off, and daytime fireworks that were reminiscent of the sounds of battle, thirty to forty thousand people, including current Governor Rounds and former Governor George McGovern, revisited Viet Nam. It was a weekend of tears, healing, and gratefulness. Phil was doing very well at remaining composed until he and Susy entered the town and began to pass sign after sign reading, “Welcome Home, Viet Nam Veterans!” “Thank You For Your Sacrifice” and “We’re Grateful For Your Service.” Virtually every marquis in the town of Pierre had similar accolades. No one present could escape the emotional force of this overflow of gratefulness.
When Phil was interviewed by a TV station in Sioux Falls, SD, he was asked what the event meant to him. He said, “Well, forty years ago, this month, I joined the Marine Corps at 19, and this is the first parade thanking Viet Nam vets I am aware of, and I will never forget it.” The parade was fully two hours long with marching bands and float after float honoring the vets. Then the memorial dedication was marked by very meaningful speeches and presentations. The invocation by Ken Korkow, South Dakota’s most decorated Viet Nam veteran, was incredibly powerful. It is printed below.
One corporate sponsor said he had been to literally thousands of events which had a military aspect to it and he had never seen anything close to this breadth and depth in honoring of veterans that took place over the weekend, and certainly not for those who served in Viet Nam. The organizers are hoping other states will follow the lead of South Dakota.
The weather turned cold Saturday night and Ken and Liz Korkow made the wise decision to move the Sunday event indoors to the local high school. Vets and their wives kept coming and coming, filling in the “standing room only” areas so that it was difficult to even walk to the bathrooms. Church members were asked to leave because veterans were being turned away. When someone had to leave, their places were immediately taken by those waiting to fill the spots. The estimate of those present for some part of the program (between 9 and 2) was over 4000.
The morning began with taps, which set a somber tone for the program. Then Ken, a decorated Marine wounded in Khe Sanh, took the podium. He shared that the fireworks display from the day before was too much like the Khe Sanh bombardment, causing him to leave abruptly when it was over. He shared from his experiences, his heart, and his faith a very powerful message. He was then followed by Brian Ascherin who delivered compelling address on dealing with one’s pain through faith.
Next came Phil’s time to take the podium. We were all startled when Phil was interrupted twice by people who walked to the front, stopped his message and wanted to speak. First was a man troubled by the stories which “took him back to the war he wanted to forget.” Then a woman wanted to pray for leadership to change our position in Iraq. Nothing like this has ever happened to Phil in almost thirty years of giving his testimony. Stunned, he prayed for wisdom. Neither position seemed to be shared by many in crowd, but Phil wanted to respond properly and graciously. Both times he said he felt the Lord wanted him to stop speaking and lead the group in prayer, which he did, and then went on with his message. A number of comments afterward said he had evidenced someone who could react under the control of the Holy Spirit, instead of in the manner many of these guys were used to. It couldn’t help but break the flow of his story, but the Holy Spirit was in charge. Phil was able to pick up his story and continue.
As the prayer cards were sorted afterwards, the count came to 521 people who had marked their cards either that they had prayed to receive Christ for the first time or as a recommitment. God miraculously touched so many! It is clear that the many committed prayer warriors who lift up the work of DNA were greatly used by God in the lives of those present that day.
Later, Roger Helle shared his incredible story, masterfully wrapping the experience of his physical healing around his spiritual and emotional healing. He gave further encouragement for the vets and their wives to enter into a personal relationship with Christ. Although we don’t have a record of these responses, there is no doubt that more lives were changed. Finally, Dan Szimot taught on healing and restoration and identity in Christ.
There were many wrongs and hurts unresolved in the Viet Nam era of the 60’s and 70’s. Even though this weekend focused on just some of them, after forty years, it was amazing for these veterans to get their parade and to hear the gospel.
It was such a meaningful weekend. Phil thanked Susy for coming with him nearly once every hour! As moving as it was for him, and for Susy as well, can you imagine how moving it was for those vets who have not known the healing of Jesus Christ, as Phil and Susy have, and are just beginning the healing process after all these years?
Please pray for the continued follow-up process, which will be very difficult. We will always be thankful and in debt to the CBMCers in South Dakota and Nebraska who made the Sunday event possible.
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Ken Korkow’s Invocation at the South Dakota Viet Nam Veteran Memorial Dedication – September 16, 2006
Gracious God – I know You are supposed to be in control of all things.
I know You are supposed to be filled with love and our best interests.
But there is much that we do not understand.
Why God – would You let good men die?
Why God – wouldn’t You let us die with our friends?
Why God – weren’t we allowed to fight to win?
Why God – weren’t we respected by our own families, our own friends, our own country?
Why God – were we called ‘Baby Killers’ when our nation sanctioned abortion the same year the war ended?
Why God – has it been so hard to forgive and to forget?
Why God – have we often done the very things we hate?
Lord – I know some of us should have been dead many, many times.
I know we don’t deserve Your forgiveness nor Your love.
I know we’ve been kept alive – often in spite of ourselves – for some special purpose.
So now God – I’m asking that You would move, that You would speak.
Please use the events and relationships of this weekend to heal my wounds and the wounds of my brothers and sisters.
Please show us how to have peace with ourselves, peace with our families, peace with others.
God we know You don’t waste pain – so please show us Your purpose that uses our past pains to enable us to help others and to glorify You.
I ask these things in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Eternal Impact: Investing In The Lives of Others by Phil Downer, with Chip MacGregor, Eternal Impact Publishing, ISBN 0-9742295-7-1, Second Edition, Hard Bound 2005 (www.DNAministries.org)
Phil Downer's Eternal Impact is a definitive work on how to transform your world through discipling the new, nominal, and well-seasoned Christians around you and train them in turn to disciple others. This is for all Christians, especially church leaders, pastors, and students of leadership.
 An exceptional analytical thinker, Downer isolates the single goal of discipling and gives that reason as the title to his book. Through practical examples, easily transferable methods, and rich biblical teaching, Downer helps his reader become a spiritual reproducer.
The question is, when all of life is said and done, will we be found having invested our lives through vision and sacrifice, or having wasted our lives through passivity and consumerism? Downer delivers a succinct and clear method for developing life-changing relationships that lead to the deepening of faith and a lasting legacy.
It is a book about mentoring. It's about taking the heart of obedience and giving it solid ground on which to stand. It's about helping men and women reach Christian maturity in a secular world so that they in turn can help others find true direction. And thus, Eternal Impact mobilizes its readers to take the offensive, leave the bunkers, take new ground, and change the world through discipleship.
Downer’s thought-provoking insights are biblically sound, and his stories are gripping. Of his six books to date, Eternal Impact is the cornerstone of his thriving national church speaking ministry, which he carries on with his son, Paul, whom he himself discipled, giving us a picture of discipleship through his own family. This book is excellent for small groups with hard-hitting questions at the end of each chapter which foster lively discussion of its content.
Written to the leaders and would-be leaders, Downer clearly illustrates the ripple effect of a life dedicated to one-on-one discipleship, a calling to which he has dedicated his life through his ministry, Discipleship Network of America, which just this year received the Ministry of the Year Award from the National Coalition of Men's Ministries.
The world has seen too few books of this caliber. Not a Christian church, pastor, or church leader exists in any denomination that shouldn't consider this as a reference or workbook for every member who desires to live a life that makes a eternal impact.
Endorsers Include: Dr. Howard Hendricks, Steve Farrar, Kay Arthur and Jim Peterson
Dwayne K. Parsons
A Hopestone Book Review
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Unlimited Partnership: Building Intimacy & Teamwork Into Your Marriage, by Phil & Susy Downer and Dr. David and Teresa Ferguson, 2nd Printing 2007, Eternal Impact Publishing, Hardbound 210 pages with resource appendix. (www.DNAministries.org)
 In this gripping and practical book, you will learn and experience how to overcome the marriage-killers of anger, aloneness, pain, disappointment, infidelity, bedroom conflict, insensitivity, overwork, and a broken past.
Is it possible to have an ideal marriage: solid friendship, romance, confident counsel, happiness and the fruit of healthy children? Phil Downer knows you can; David Ferguson believes it, absolutely! Furthermore, their wives Susy Downer and Teresa Ferguson say it's possible without a doubt! In their co-authored book, Unlimited Partnership, this priceless team of unique presenters shows the biblical path to having an open, vibrant, and fruitful marriage. It's in God's Word.
Bringing two completely different talents to bear under one book jacket is no easy thing, but in this case, this group has achieved an important counseling and group-teaching resource. Where Dr. Ferguson and Teresa are God-given teachers, so Phil and Susy Downer are God-planted witnesses and practitioners. Their powerful and revealing story combined with classroom-style instruction and clear workbook format provided by the Fergusons is both rare and timely.
The Downers’ vulnerability makes it impossible not to identify with them. Once near divorce, they found Christ and rebuilt their lives upon the biblical standards taught in the Fergusons’ ministry. Today they have a national church speaking ministry of their own, along with six marvelous children whose lives are a model of parental hope. In Unlimited Partnership, the Downers have come together with the Fergusons to the great benefit of thousands of couples who desire and are willing to work for a marriage transformed by Christ. It is precisely this vision of transformed lives to which Phil, and now his son, Paul, have dedicated their lives through the Downers’ national church speaking ministry, Discipleship Network of America, which just this year was named Ministry of the Year by the National Coalition of Men's Ministries.
The foreword boldly claims that this book contains the marital keys to becoming best friends, living together without masks, teamwork in ministry, and great sex. As you collect the timeless wisdom contained on each page, you will find this claim to be utterly true as you unearth one by one the crucial steps to moving from surviving to thriving in your marriage.
This book is a church library must. It's written as a workbook and is ideal for small group settings. It's for the young who are planning marriage, for newlyweds, and for those seasoned in the marriage relationship. Personally, I can't think of any part or phase of marriage that wouldn't benefit from a studied work-through of this manual. It's all about building intimacy, friendship and teamwork into your marriage by following the timeless direction of God’s Word. The Fergusons and the Downers show you the way. If you are engaged, married, a pastor, or a counselor of married couples, you can’t afford not to have this essential treasury of wisdom on transforming marriages through the power of Jesus Christ.
Endorsers Include: Pat Morley, Vic Coppola, Ron Blue, Howard Hendricks
Dwayne K. Parsons
A Hopestone Book Review
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A Father's Reward: Raising Your Children To Walk In the Truth, by Phil Downer, Eternal Impact Publishing, ISBN 978-0-9742295-5-3 HB, 2nd Edition, 334 pages. (www.DNAministries.org)
 Nothing says it better than this quote from the text early in this priceless book, "The only way to avoid losing our kids...is to change the focus from...the culture around us to seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And then, and only then, we must not flee from the culture but engage it and the people around us with the love and truth of Christ." As a father in our day, I found this book to be a treasure house of insight and wisdom on how I can better stand in the gap for my own child and win her back to Christ. I saw in reading it many of the reasons I can say I failed, but also even more of the answers as to why I can still succeed. A father is a watchman. Downer has shown by his own example the only true way a watchman can oversee the care and unfolding of his family. As we who minister so often focus on looking for investment opportunities in the world around us, this volume reminds us to begin at home. The fruit of a man’s ministry must first start in his heart and then spread through the relationships in his family, to his church, and to the world beyond.
First published with Harvest House, this second edition hardbound is now available through Eternal Impact Publishing in support of the national church speaking ministry provided by Phil and Paul Downer. Just this year, DNAministries won the Ministry of the Year Award from the National Coalition of Men's Ministries. This book is testimony to why. It ministers as a creative, practical guide firmly rooted in biblical truth. Dad's can make a difference! Full of real-life examples, including many failures and mistakes, this book is not about having perfect children. It's about helping real kids with all their flaws realize the dynamic and powerful relationship available to them in Christ and how that relationship can spread through them to impact and transform their world.
Importantly, A Father's Reward also provides a rich appendix of family resources, some of which you probably haven't heard about, but all of which can play a vital role in fathering, family and church relationships. It is also equipped with study questions at the end of each chapter, making it ideal for small group study.
Endorsers Include: Steve Farrar, Kay Arthur and Steve Brown.
Dwayne K. Parsons
A Hopestone Book Review
Brave, Strong and Tender (in Everyday Battles), by Phil Downer with Chip McGregor, Eternal Impact Publishing, ISBN 0974229598 HB, 2nd Edition, 336 pages. (www.DNAministries.org)
 Of the several books to emerge from Discipleship Network of America, a national church speaking ministry just this year named Ministry of the Year by the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries, Brave, Strong and Tender may be the best. It is at least one of the more important to this reader. In a world made smaller by computer technology, outside influences and the break-neck pace of cultural change, this book provides both armor and ammunition for the spiritual battle. Despite the influences that oppose us, it teaches how we can establish relationships that are loving, solid, and will last. Directed at men, it shows you how to find courage and strength as a leader first for your own life, and then for the lives of others. It teaches you the too-often forgotten ways of self-discipline and loyalty that make all the difference. Using the metaphor of a soldier in battle (a theme Downer is more than qualified to utilize, having seen heavy combat as a Marine machine gunner in Vietnam), he teaches you how and why to use encouragement in relationships and what it means to be trustworthy in the daily battlefields of life. He then aids his reader in discovering the necessity of a lifestyle of obedience and the singular purpose of focus on God’s design and call for your life. This volume addresses head-on the vicious pitfalls of anger, lust, infidelity, fear, aloneness, overwork, lack of direction, and laziness that so often plague men, and hold them back from claiming their God-given birthrights as warriors of God in the battle for eternity. Downer shows you not only how to remain humble in the process, but why you must be willing to suffer in the line of duty on behalf of loved ones no matter what the cost. From all this, we come across the simple but compelling reason we rise up to engage this spiritual battle in the first place: to win. And winning is not merely living in faithfulness to God by ourselves, but also teaching others how to fight the unseen enemy in God's way and according to His will in their lives.
Brave, Strong and Tender, was written literally on the go in the spiritual line of fire. McGregor took the vital role of transcribing and editing Downer's recorded thoughts into their present form, and he did a superb job. The format of this text is one of the best I have yet studied. Highlighted paragraphs are not repeats from buried text, but quick scans that help a busy reader peruse and review. The hard-hitting discussion questions closing each chapter make it an ideal resource for small group study. Given enough audience, I believe Brave, Strong and Tender has the potential of a national bestseller. It most certainly has the power to teach the importance of spiritual soldiering and servanthood among fathers and husbands in American families and, in that way, the power to contribute mightily in the revival of the men of our nation.
Endorsers Include: Bill Armstrong, Pat Morley, Dr. Howard Hendricks and Bruce Wilkinson
Dwayne K. Parsons
A Hopestone Book Review
Just An Ordinary Man: The Principles of Godly Leadership, by Phil Downer, copyright 2003 Eternal Impact Publishing, ISBN 0-9742295-2-0 HB or ISBN 0-9742295-2-4 SB biography. (www.DNAministries.org)
 Some books have a way of reaching off the shelf touching the heart of a reader at just the right time in life. Just An Ordinary Man, by national speaker Phil Downer, did this to me. I might not have otherwise picked it up, but it drew me for reasons I can't explain. It's a book about leadership, about perseverance during difficult times and about the effect of God's principles when genuinely embraced and applied to one's everyday life.
Written as a tribute to a friend and mentor, it quickly becomes an example and illustration for one of the more important platforms in Downer's speaking ministry to men nationwide. Gene Ast, about whom it is written, was a grassroots American boy whose life could have been obscure or even gone in the wrong direction, but turned through both tragedy and difficulty into fruitfulness and effectiveness through the truths of God's Word. This book is light reading, easy to understand and yet indelible in they way it touches its reader's life. Where Downer uses it as a platform for talks on leadership, it also becomes a reference to be picked up and scanned again at times when one's thoughts turn inward toward examining one's life.
This book also contains the story of a woman who profoundly followed God in difficult times with a difficult man, and found joy, success, and by God’s grace, eternal fruit through the people whom Earlene and her husband, Gene, touched. This book is a valuable resource for small groups with engaging discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
Thumbs up for this memoir! No one who picks it up will be able to say they don’t know more about life, leadership, and the deep touch of God when they put it down. I can only hope that one day someone writes such a tribute to my own walk. Its potential to influence is strong and leaves a legacy for the man about whom it was written.
Dwayne K. Parsons
A Hopestone Book Review
Effective Men's Ministry, The Indispensable Toolkit for Your Church, Forward by Patrick Morley, Edited by Phil Downer, Published by Zondervan 2001, ISBN 0-310-23636-3 SB, 255 pages. (www.DNAministries.org)
 There is a movement in the American church today where men are realizing that they must wake up and reclaim the importance of their roles as fathers and brothers, husbands and leaders. A number of books have come into the marketplace that address various aspects of men's ministries. However, Effective Men's Ministry is among the most important as it is a specially collected power house of 24 of the strongest voices speaking on this subject today, including Pat Morley, Steve Farrar, Steve Sonderman, Chuck Stecker, Jack Hayford, and Chuck Brewster. Published by Zondervan, who holds the 2001 Copyright, these voices are edited by Phil Downer whose national church speaking ministry, Discipleship Network of America, won the 2007 Ministry of the Year Award conferred by the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries. It represents the collective perception and wisdom of 2000-plus church denomination and ministry memberships contained in NCMM. Willie Richardson, writing the conclusion summarizes the whole book with his chapter title: Doing Together What We Can't Do Apart. It's the ultimate practitioners handbook for men’s ministry, placing at your fingertips the essential collection of best practices compiled by many of the top leaders in the men’s movement. It is international in scope and eternal in purpose. No church team should be without it. That's why NCMM italicized the word Effective in their title. With active members like Promise Keepers, Focus on the Family, The Navigators, Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences, and many other powerful ministries, the contributors chosen for this book speak from a wealth of knowledge and experience.
In addition to being Editor, Downer also contributes two hard-hitting chapters on spiritual parenting and discipleship that powerfully round-out this arsenal of wisdom on men’s ministry done right. Every pastor and men’s ministry leader needs a copy of this dynamic resource, and copies to give to every man under him whom he would like to see answer the call to join him in the battle for the hearts of men.
Dwayne K. Parsons
A Hopestone Book Review
Paul Joins DNA As Field Staff Director of Operations
We are very excited to announce that Paul has joined DNA full time as the Field Staff Director of Operations as of June 1, 2005. In this capacity, he will apply his organizational and interpersonal abilities as the hub of communications and administration for DNA, supporting and contributing to the overall operations dimension of the ministry.
Paul and Phil will travel around the country, speaking as a father-son team on an array of topics DNA addresses, such as purity, confronting each other in truth and love, raising children, building strong family relationships, impacting your world through discipleship, and pursuing a growing relationship with Christ. He will also continue in his role as the Managing Director of Eternal Impact Publishing, in which capacity he is currently working on three book projects—two first-time releases and one re-release.
Paul is a magna cum laude graduate of Bryan College and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Bible. Paul and Phil have spoken together at conferences around the country for over ten years, and they look forward to continuing in this ministry together. For over 6 years, Paul has invested himself in those around him and discipled young men one-on-one, a ministry and passion that he is committed to maintaining in this new season of his life.
In Paul’s words, “I am more excited than I can say about focusing my time, energy, and giftedness on the work of God’s Kingdom through DNA and seeing what incredible things God is going to do to His glory.
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DNA Expansion:18 Field Staff Directors Join The Network
It has been wonderful to see the Lord expand our family ministry to include 18 gifted men and couples joining DNA as Field Staff Directors.
With the fruit the Lord has brought to the ministry, it has become clear that we need help in training, organizing, networking, and follow-up before and after our conferences. The help will come from people who are skilled and experienced in disciple making and who can add ministering with us to their existing ministry in their own locations and vocations. Our purpose is not to move people, but rather, as co-laboring partners, to come alongside men and couples who are already engaged in ministry. As part-time, and in some cases, full-time employees, these 18 will operate much like manufacturer’s representatives, advancing the interests and ministry of DNA and our conference speaking in their areas.
We are so thankful God has brought us men and couples whose hearts, lives, and ongoing ministries are consistent with and complementary to our vision and ministry philosophy. We are all seeking to walk in a manner worthy of our Lord and His calling on our lives to impact His Kingdom. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
As Susy says, we are not changing the family ministry of DNA, we are expanding it to include others who will bring invaluable help, energy, relationships, accountability, follow-up, and training to what God is already doing. We envision the operative system to remain focused on Christ-centered ministry with Paul Downer at the hub of communications, administration, and operations, and Phil at the hub of leadership, vision, and fund development.
Thank you for your continued prayers. Please let us hear from you with updates on your family, ministry, and lives.
We covet your prayers as we seek to know, love, and serve Christ wholeheartedly.
Click here for Field Staff Directory
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Phil Speaks at Promise Keepers: Over 14,000 Commit to Discipleship
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Doors Opened for Marine Ministry by Navigators and Chaplains
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DOWNER TWINS JOIN BROTHERS AT BRYAN AND HARVARD
Published in the Signal Mountain Post, May 26, 2005
Anna and Joshua Downer are following in their brothers’ footsteps, heading to college. Anna will attend Bryan College and later Vanderbilt University, in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Nursing. Her brother Paul is graduating from Bryan this year with degrees in Business and Bible. Joshua is enrolling in the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where his brother, Matthew, is a junior and will be interning at the White House this summer.
The other Downer collegian is Abigail, who graduated from the Downers Home School in 1999, was a Maclellan Scholar at Covenant College, and received her CPA in January. She will be attending University of Tennessee Law School this fall.
Anna and Joshua competed as team members, with Matthew, on a homeschool Mock Trial team that won back-to-back regional, state, and national championships in 2002 and 2003. Anna has enjoyed volunteer “nursing” at Memorial Hospital and has also been active in the YMCA’s Youth Leadership Chattanooga program. Joshua has co-hosted a youth TV program, Teens Talk: Ignite, on ABC’s local affiliate station and Comcast Cable and written regular columns for the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. This fall, he hopes to become involved in the Harvard Republican Club, of which Matthew is currently president.
In talking about their background, Joshua says that his time struggling, failing, succeeding, and learning about teamwork on the Signal Mountain ball fields was invaluable. “I had men like Coach Jamie Smith, who didn’t just build baseball technique, but he built young men in his coaching style. He was committed to character, excellence, teamwork and brotherly love.” Anna remarked that just a few nights ago, she and her 12-year-old sister, Susanna, who is now the sole student in the Downer Homeschool, went for a wonderful picnic, greatly appreciating being able to enjoy our beautiful mountain and city.
Joshua quips that because he shares the senior class this year with Anna, who is older by nine minutes, he is the only graduate from this school who will not graduate Valedictorian. Susy, the Mom and teacher, shakes her head in amazement and thankfulness that “God overcame all the holes in our schooling and the foibles and challenges in our family to keep these kids on course.” Father Phil is frantically trying to get Susanna up to speed on the lawn mower so he can continue avoiding the yard duties. He is thankful that at least one of his sons at Harvard had learned to take out the trash cans on time before heading off to school. Susanna is going to miss Joshua and Anna greatly when they leave for college in the fall, but she is glad that Paul will be joining the Downer family ministry, Discipleship Network of America, after graduation this year.
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New Men's Retreat on Leadership
Our new book, “Just an Ordinary Man – The Principles of Godly Leadership” was used by God to touch men’s lives at the Taylor’s South Carolina Church Retreat held at Lake Lanier Island, GA in August. Men’s ministry leader Kevin Bowling said, “This is just what our men needed. God really touched their hearts to step out in leading their families, our church and community.” 129 men made the drive from South Carolina for the weekend retreat where the Lord touched 24 men who prayed to receive Christ, Friday night with 120 coming forward, kneeling, and asking God for one person to disciple this next year at the closing session of the five-session retreat on Sunday Morning. Some of the men who prayed to receive Christ on Friday night were actually matched with a Paul in discipleship by Sunday morning before they even got back home.
Let us know if you have interest in discussing with me the possibility of doing a leadership retreat with your group, ministry or church in 2004 when we have many open slots for speaking (2003 is full). The retreat is based on the book “Just an Ordinary Man” which highlights the life of a faithful man, Gene Ast, from Madras, Oregon who grew up in common surroundings but was used extraordinarily to touch his community and the world through his business genius, quiet godly leadership and deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One man expressed that the retreat was “just what I needed to focus more on leading my family as a husband and father as well as reaching the guys at work with my faith.”
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Family Conference - A Huge Step for Riverbend Community Church, Columbia S.C.
“Many of us were concerned about taking such a big step with our first church-wide family conference, but God really used the weekend to touch us all” were the words of Cheryl Henderson, one of the organizers. “It was probably the best short course in Christian living I’ve ever heard” said another participant.
Riverbend sent a packed-out crowd over Labor Day weekend to White Oak, South Carolina where Susy and I together with Paul, Anna, Joshua and Susanna, spoke seven times on topics including: God healing broken relationships, how to effectively discipline your children, God’s way of dealing with peer and parent relationships, giving your family a vision for changing the world and a love for God’s word, sexual purity for men only, women’s workshop on marriage, and a call to commitment to making disciples in your home, neighborhood, church and community. Matthew, who had already left for college, made a cameo appearance by video-tape discussing the practical aspects of disciplining your children in a godly way.
Mike Austin, Senior Pastor, said, “This was more than a weekend family conference. It was a life-changing experience.” Sixteen people prayed to receive Christ on Friday night after Susy’s and my testimony, and on Sunday morning over 170 people came forward to the podium, knelt and asked God for one person to disciple over the next year. Larry and Grace Hamrick, old CBMC friends, helped direct the organization of the family conference. We are thrilled with what God did and are excited to see what God will do in the future through the lives changed this last weekend.
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Pastors Commit to Discipleship
"You hit the nail on the head and then God moved" was the response of Chris Van Brocklin, Director of Men's Ministry at the Evangelical Free Pastors Conference on June 27 in Des Moines, Iowa. In a two-hour workshop on discipleship, attended by 63 leaders including 55 pastors, every man committed to ask God for one person to disciple this year or to continue with the one or ones they are discipling.
"To build a foundation for men's ministry in the E Free church, we are so excited when God stirs in the hearts of our pastors to focus on men and discipleship," Chris went on to say.
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"My Wife Left With My Kids"
"My wife left with my kids. Can you help me?" was the cry of a young man yesterday after hearing Susy and I share about our broken, and then restored marriage, on Renewal Radio, hosted by Gene Getz in Plano Texas. Reaching and discipling people is so essential to keep us on the cutting edge of our walk and growth in Christ because the advice I gave this man in crisis was the exact advice you and I should heed to avoid the crisis. That was, "Johnny, grab your Bible, go to a quiet place without a time frame and without interruption, and plead with God to show you the three things that you need to change in your marriage to be the godly husband God has called you to be and your wife wants you to be."
He responded the way you and I sometimes respond - he couldn't think of any. With some directness, I responded, "Your wife just left with your three children. You have lived as husband and wife for 15 years. Don't tell me you can't figure out three areas of your life and marriage that need God's improvement, forgiveness and gentleness."
He confided in me what God brought to his mind and we continued to discuss how he might biblically address these issues and approach his wife for reconciliation.
As I hung up the phone and asked God to speak to me also, I concluded, even with our great marriage, I had at least 3 areas I could work on with Susy. You see, discipleship requires that we focus on the real issues of life with others, which inevitably God uses to hit me between the eyes on something in my life. Within three seconds of the line going dead, God impressed my heart that I need to work on these three things:
- I need to listen to her full statement or explanation before offering suggestions, ideas, clarifications, or alternatives - "Phil, love is patient." --God. II Corinthians 13:4
- I need to ignore Susy's insistence that she doesn't need a birthday gift, bite the bullet, set down the way we both live in the practical, spend a little time and a little money, and buy her something personal (not new tires for her '89 van). "Phil, it's about giving up your rights and your schedule - 'do nothing out of selfishness'." --God. Philippians 2: 3
- We have loved and cherished working together in DNA about nine paces from each more than we ever fathomed. In fact, Susy has said, "It's better than I ever dreamed." But one of us tends to be a little demanding, wanting things done now. (I wonder who?) "Phil, you need to work on waiting more, in your marriage." --God. Psalm 147:11 "The Lord favors those who fear him, those who wait for His lovingkindness."
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A Hush - Then Victory - For Jesus
Downer Trio Wins 2002 National Mock Trial Championship
Joshua, Mathew and Anna
National Mock Trial Champions |
Imagine a large lobby with 8 or 10 floors opening to an atrium packed with a thousand students, parents, lawyers, and judges from 42 states and two territories in downtown St. Paul at the end of the fourth round of the National Mock Trial Competition. A hush went over the crowd as they started to announce the two teams for the fifth championship round with their two letter codes. (The rules required each state's complete anononymity from the judges and accordingly each team was given a two-letter code. Our Tennessee code was prophetically AO - Alpha and Omega!).
It is true that everyone involved wanted to win, but as I (Susy) observed the regional, state, and national levels, I have to say that the preeminent goal of our three children and the other five young people on the team, was that the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified. Many of the other teams competing said they hoped our team would win the championship and then gave encouraging comments about our team's attitude, demeanor, and professionalism. I knew that they were getting credit for the Lord's character shining through each of these eight teenagers who love the Lord and are seeking to serve Him. When they announced that "AO" would compete in the finals there was an eruption of cheers and tears.
Frankly, as the mother of these three kids, knowing their weaknesses, remembering the days that their bickering brought me to tears with frustration, and thinking about the periods in their lives when I wondered why all of our training and prayer did not appear to result in Christ being more at the center of their lives, a numbing joy filled my heart and all I could do was say "Thank you, Lord."
I have blown it so many times as a mother – having expectations too high, and sometimes too short a fuse. But I will be forever thankful for the woman who discipled me and that team of men and women in Atlanta who comprised a discipling community and modeled how discipleship was the key to life. My discipleship, ultimately gave me a vision for discipling our children. When Jesus commissioned us in Matthew 28:19 to "Go into all the world and make disciples" our children were included!
Having reached the finals, our homeschool team which had become Team Tennessee, by God's grace, became Team USA – winning the national championship. The resulting victory, the first time a homeschool team had ever competed in the national competition, was a blessing beyond words. (For more details, see our May newsletter, Family News or the mock trial web site www.mocktrialonline.org) To God be the glory.
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