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"If Phil Downer had lived at the time of King David,
he would have been the leader of David's thirty Mighty Men. This soldier's
consuming passion is to walk with integrity before his Lord. He is a rock-solid,
straight-shooting example we can follow. I have witnessed his brokenness
and growth over the years, especially recently. It is a privilege to call
him my friend."
-Patrick Morley, Chairman,
Man in the Mirror Ministries, Orlando, Florida, Chairman of DNA Ministry
Endorsement Committee
"Phil and Susy have been so greatly used by God over the last twenty
years and I believe because of the way they have walked through the last
year with brokenness and humility, they will experience in the years ahead
greater heights in ministry than they could ever have imagined."
-Dr. Howard Hendricks, Distinguished
Professor, Chairman, Center for Christian Leadership, Dallas Theological
Seminary, Dallas, Texas, DNA Ministry Endorser
"As I note these comments, I've just participated in a retreat
with a group of men from my church. Phil Downer has been our speaker.
What a great experience! Phil's down-to-earth stories, personal vulnerability,
biblical content and practical applications have touched us all!"
-Gene Getz, Former Sr Pastor, Fellowship
Bible Church, North, Director, Center for Church Renewal, Plano, Texas,
DNA Ministry Reference
"I thought this might be the last opportunity for some of the 800+
people coming to the Omaha Leadership Prayer Breakfast, to hear about
Jesus Christ and I wanted to take my best shot. We asked Phil to speak
and he delivered the goods-a clear and compelling message of the gospel
of Jesus. God brought the increase with 289 people praying to receive
Christ. God's unique anointing is on Phil Downer."
-Ken Korkow, CBMC Metro Director,
Omaha, Nebraska, DNA Advisory Board
"In Brave, Strong, & Tender, Phil Downer has created
a wonderful resource for men. His stories will touch your heart, while
his principles rock your soul. A great book by a great man..."
-Bruce Wilkinson, President and CEO,
Global Vision Resources
"If you could spend an evening with Phil Downer and his family,
play games with his children, dine with them in their home, or sit and
talk with them in their rooms as I have, you would not only purchase A
Father's Reward, you'd make it your mission to get it in the hands
of every parent you know. I want every family in America - in the world
- to read A Father's Reward. There is a way to turn our nation
around, and it begins in the home. Not only will this book give you a
vision, it will show you how that vision can become a reality."
-Kay Arthur, Executive Director,
Precept Ministries
"Phil and Susy Downer have been friends of mine for years and I
have watched them as they have faithfully followed our Lord's leading
over the many years in such a way that they, without question, have a
significant life story to share as they disciple other men and women.
It is a joy to endorse them and their ministry."
-Ron Blue, President, Kingdom Advisors, DNA Ministry Endorser
"A powerful, powerful speaker and message! God used Phil in all
of our lives. Phil had stories, biblically based, that tied to key points
in life-changing messages. He was forthright, transparent, motivating,
vulnerable and encouraging to our men to follow God in all aspects of
our lives. I recommend Phil without qualification for church and retreat
settings."
-Charlie Boyd, Senior Pastor, Southside
Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina, DNA Ministry Reference
"I am excited about DNA and
convinced that God is using our friends, Phil and Susy, and in fact the
whole family, to great Kingdom purposes. Phil and Susy live with the authenticity
of a man and woman who have lived life to the hilt, with the humility
and brokenness of people who have suffered with Christ and the joy and
optimism of a couple who have experienced great growth and victory through
their faith in our Lord. It's a pleasure for Ellen and me to serve on
their DNA Advisory Board."
-Bill and Ellen Armstrong, President, Colorado Christian University, and Homemaker, Denver, Colorado, Chairmen
of the DNA Advisory Board
"The principles from Eternal Impact for discipling men come
directly from the methods that the Lord Jesus used with His disciples.
Phil is living proof that the Master's strategy is still working two thousand
years later."
-Steve Farrar, Men's Leadership Ministries,
Frisco, Texas
"We have attended, and/or led, 15 or more CBMC conferences over
the years. Our 2002 CBMC Carolina Family Conference, led by the Downers,
may well yield the most significant eternal impact. Phil and Susy are
incredibly honest and transparent about their weaknesses and failures,
but the clear evidence of all that God has done and continues to do in
and through their submissive hearts is undeniable. The Downer children
are a remarkable witness to consistent, prayerful, godly parenting. When
these bright, articulate kids shared their faith and their perspective
of how Phil and Susy influenced them, listening parents were challenged
and encouraged to follow the same biblical principles of parenting. My
wife and I have 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren, and all have professed
their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For many years we
have both taught the Bible, discipled new believers, mentored growing
Christians, and counseled Christian couples, but we came away from this
weekend challenged in our own marriage, our role as parents and grandparents
and in our ministry. We are already planning to have the Downer family
lead a conference for our church. We yearn to have our church family see
and hear this model of how God can prepare a family to impact a lost world
for Him."
-Larry and Grace Hamrick, Sales &
Marketing, AMPAD Corp. (Ret.) and Homemaker, Columbia, South Carolina,
DNA Ministry Reference
"God used Phil Downer speaking here at the men's retreat for McKinney
Fellowship Bible Church. The impact was significant! I heard the guys
share about their desires to go back and live lives of purity and commitment
to their wives and families. Phil gave our men great encouragement and
tools on how to spend time discipling their kids and other men. Phil's
sharing was from the scripture, his own life and experiences including
how God has poured out His grace on him through lots of mistakes and challenges.
Our men's ministry has continued the spiritual beginnings that were begun
during the retreat by doing Friday morning study through Phil's book Eternal
Impact. We are seeing our men begin to understand discipleship."
-Bruce Miller, Senior Pastor, McKinney
Fellowship Bible Church, McKinney, Texas, DNA Ministry Reference
"In my capacity I have had the opportunity of having Phil Downer
speak to pastors and leaders in the Rocky Mountain District as well as
at the National Pastor's and Leader's Conference. One of the things that
we've learned over the years is that there is a great disconnect between
the mind understanding biblically what discipleship might mean and what's
actually transpiring in the local church, especially as it relates to
men. The reason why we like Phil is that his understanding of one-on-one
discipleship as well as group discipleship and family discipleship is
all biblical and it leads to a greater understanding of how that takes
place. His teaching results in a pastor reaching his goals and God's mission.
Phil sets a foundation for a path of equipping our pastors and church
leaders to develop men's ministry.
We have been holding Leadership Summits, where we have leaders from churches,
both pastors and lay leaders, in a retreat setting. What they're hearing
Phil say is how to put actual practical day-to-day discipleship into practice.
That doesn't seem like it would be something new, but it's a revelation
to some. We've had some in particular who have said that they want Phil
to come directly into their church to speak to their congregations. They
love the way Phil presents, with his illustrations and his testimony as
being a husband and a father and how disciple making is the root of his
life. He is one of the premier communicators in my experience in the men's
movement."
-Chris Van Brocklin, President, Men With a Purpose, Edgewood, Maryland,
DNA Ministry Reference
"The Downers are so transparent. So many people attending said,
not only from the platform but one-on-one, how the Downers were used by
God to touch their hearts and their lives. I would certainly recommend
the Downers for church conferences and other retreats. There is probably
not a better model for how we are supposed to be raising our children
God's way than the Downer family. The Downers taught on discipleship at
a level that most of us can easily follow and easily understand. It's
a conference that is on peoples' level-heart-to-heart."
-Ralph Young, CBMC Cannon Beach Conference
Director, Seattle, Washington, DNA Ministry Reference
"It was almost 20 years ago that I met Phil Downer. I was his law
firm's CPA. I was invited to hear him speak at a local outreach meeting
during a critical time in my life. As a young businessman, I was so impressed
to hear the testimony of this dynamic Christian leader. He got me involved
in a life changing small group as well as a one-on-one discipleship relationship
with Dr. Jim Lyon. It is an honor to now work with him, Susy, and his
family, in this life-changing ministry. God bless Phil Downer.."
-David Deeter, CPA, Managing Partner,
Frazier & Deeter, Atlanta, Georgia, Chairman of DNA Board of Directors
& Treasurer
"Couples are still talking about the encouragement they received
from our marriage weekend. It included the most practical instruction
possible, because it came from transparent hearts who were willing to
admit their mistakes. . . publically. Phil and Susy Downer's life message
is that God can resurrect even the most hopeless marriage. They know first
hand, because that's what He did with theirs."
-Joe Tower, Executive Director,
Homeschool Building, Grand Rapids, Michigan, DNA Ministry Reference
"Phil is a great example for me and the men I serve of the methods
of evangelism and discipleship modeled for us in the life of Jesus. Phil
positions himself as a servant, relates as a friend, accepts without conditional
performance and speaks with authority about the things of God."
-Mark Parry, A.I.A., Santa Rosa,
California, DNA Ministry Reference
"We are greatly encouraged that Phil and Susy and their family
have embarked on this journey with DNA.
Our family has enjoyed the blessings of getting involved with men, women
and children in their walk toward the cross. This process started about
12 years ago when I was being discipled by other businessmen. To see the
impact that it has had in our family is wonderful. It was a pleasure to
have Phil and Susy Downer speak at our annual Salt & Light banquet
in May, 2001. We had several hundred guests attend and we were grateful
for the opportunity to reach out to our community with the gospel."
-Bill McAvinney, Owner, McAvinney
and Associates, Fredericksburg, Virginia, DNA Ministry Endorser
"Discipleship begins at home and Phil and Susy have been faithful
to God in raising their six children. They have also been faithful to
share their experience with others, including their struggles, failures
and hurts. Their practical insight in teaching and modeling spiritual
truths to children has been a great encouragement to Anita and me as well
as the other members of the "Family Matters" class at our church.
We are thankful that through the ministry of DNA,
others will be able to learn from Phil and Susy just as we have."
-John Zeiser, President and CEO,
Southern Champion Tray Co., Signal Mountain, Tennessee, DNA Advisory Board
"I really feel that the Downers spoke to me personally as a grandmother,
this weekend at the 2002 CBMC family conference, and I am certain that
they spoke to the younger parents who are here, because everyone that
we have talked to has been really, really touched and thankful that they
were here, and they want to come back. The sessions were biblically focused
and God honoring and could not have been any better."
-Mary Anne Hammerbeck, Homemaker,
Portland, Oregon
"As young parents a few years ago, we searched to find a family
that could mentor us in raising our children. We were very impressed with
the Downer family, but unfortunately they lived in Chattanooga and we
lived in Cape Girardeau. The videos on marriage and raising godly children
have been wonderful! We appreciated the openness and sharing of Phil,
Susy and the children. We have since shared the videos with neighbors,
friends, area pastors and our Sunday School classes. The information has
been a true blessing to many."
-Carolyn Pruemer, Homemaker, DNA
Ministry Reference, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
"Phil Downer has just spoken to about 105 of our men at a retreat.
It was very successful. He was very challenging to our men about the importance
of discipling their wives and families and also about making spiritual
disciples in other men. He emphasized spending time with them one-on-one
and going out into the world and reaching more people for Christ. I would
recommend Phil without qualification for any future conferences or seminars
that you might want to invite him to and would love to talk to you about
it. You can reach me at McKinney Fellowship Bible Church. My phone number
is (972) 547-7009."
-Mike Stewart,
Assistant Pastor at McKinney Fellowship Bible Church, McKinney, Texas,
DNA Ministry Reference
"The Unlimited Partnership Marriage seminar last weekend was just
outstanding for our couples. The feedback I received was that it was very
helpful not only for those who were struggling, but for those who had
strong marriages. I highly recommend this seminar to other churches. We
are very selective in the conferences we offer, and this one really helped
with specific issues including anger, communication, and dealing with
the biblical view of marriage. I also really appreciate the parenting
seminar, Leaving a Legacy, that we are experiencing this weekend. It is
helping me as a father focus on the importance of communicating with each
of my children one-on-one, instead of just parenting blanketly, and has
given me the specifics of how I am to do that and the effects of doing
so. I really appreciated the personal examples Phil and Susy have used.
I can see they are giving our couples some of the tools I was not able
to give them. We are very interested in ongoing ministry with Phil and
Susy. They brought lasting, added value to God's work here as partners
in ministry and we look forward to them coming back each year to minister
to us."
-Craig Webb, Pastor, Lahaina Baptist
Church, Maui, Hawaii, DNA Ministry Reference
"We were greatly encouraged by the living testimony of Phil and
Susy and their beautiful children. They are a true example to us of what
it means to walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and allow His total control
of your lives. Phil and Susy were so gracious to take time out of their
busy schedules to come to Massachusetts and share their lives with us
at a Christmas banquet. Our sister and brother-in-law were among the guests.
As a result of Phil and Susy's testimony, they both made a profession
of receiving Christ. Our family has been praying for them for many years.
How can we thank you enough for helping usher these beloved souls into
eternity with our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ? We love you, and
may the Lord continue to bless you and yours."
-Bruce & Julie Ostrowski,
Systems Engineer, Nortel Networks and Homemaker, Hubbardston, Massachusetts,
DNA Ministry Reference
"Last week's marriage seminar was long overdue. It really hit home
on a lot of issues that couples needed to deal with. I really enjoyed
the references from scripture to everything that would help a family.
The parenting seminar was also very worth the time. For anyone who has
children, the time they would put into the seminar is very little in comparison
to what they would get out of it. So many times we are just too busy and
don't stop to really think about our parenting. I could see the reaction
on the faces of many participants today, 'Wow, I've never thought about
that.' I would absolutely recommend these conferences to other churches.
We are looking forward to having Phil and Susy continue to be a part of
our ministry."
-Richard Murray, Pastor of Resort
Ministries, Lahaina Baptist Church, Maui, Hawaii, DNA Ministry Reference
"The CBMC Family Conference this weekend was exceptional, one that
should be in churches, CBMC conferences and joint meetings with other
churches across the United States. The Downers were effective because
the material that was presented was exceptional, biblically focused, and
extremely helpful to any new or old believer. On a scale of 1 to 10 I
would rate it at a 10! I would recommend this conference without qualifications."
-Bill Hammerbeck, Investment Advisor,
Former Vice President - A.G. Edwards, Portland, Oregon, DNA Advisory Board
"I thought Phil's message was very powerful and that it not only
hit the hearts and minds of the men but touched their souls. The message
was very relevant and biblical and not only spoke to the men that know
Christ intimately but to the men on the fringe because God's truth was
spoken. Phil added value, not only to our ministry, but also to each man
here. Our church not only reaches men in our community, but in this country
and in other countries around the world. I would highly recommend Phil
Downer and DNA Ministries to go into
any church, mission organization or non-profit organization and reach
the lost as well as encourage, equip, and empower the church of Jesus
Christ to develop disciples. God is calling us to "go into all the
world and make disciples." I believe that DNA
Ministries and Phil Downer has been called by God to take that message
to the world."
-Bob Cavinder, Director of International
Men's Conference, Pastor of Men's Ministry and Family Ministries for Crystal
Cathedral, Garden Grove, California, DNA Ministry Reference
"The CBMC Family weekend was absolutely superb. I can see very plainly
for the people that I invited to this conference that this is exactly
what they needed. My wife and I invited an unsaved couple that we were
praying for. They both prayed to receive Christ at this conference and
of the roughly one hundred or more people who were in attendance, there
were 19 who indicated decisions, either rededicating their lives or making
an initial decision to trust Christ for salvation. This conference encouraged
people to "go into all the world and make disciples," especially
in the final session when Phil asked people who would be willing to ask
God for just one person to disciple or to be discipled, depending on the
need of the person, everyone in the entire audience, as far as I know,
came forward and were on their knees asking God, in prayer, to use them
as a vessel to go forth and reach their neighbors, their co-workers, and
other people in their spheres of influence. I would absolutely recommend
the Downer Family. I believe that the Downers are truly in tune with the
needs of the American family and the needs of our culture. They are able
to speak the truth in love. As an attendee, you really sense that the
Downers do love you, that they are a part of the family, and they are
not just speaking at you or even to you, but rather with you."
-Jim Morud, Portland City Director,
Priority Associates, Portland, Oregon, DNA Ministry Reference
"What a weekend! Phil Downer shared at a CBMC breakfast meeting,
an outreach luncheon, a mini-retreat, and at our church on Sunday morning.
What a refreshing series of instruction and motivational talks. Phil has
been through Viet Nam, marriage problems, spiritual emptiness, and all
the other struggles of manhood. Through Jesus Christ, he has conquered
them and is encouraging and leading men into expanded borders of ministry.
I have no hesitation in recommending Phil. He is a leader and a mentor!"
-Barry Haindel, Life Resources,
Covington, Louisiana, DNA Ministry Reference
"At our closed door, no holds barred meeting with Christian attorneys,
Phil addressed the needs of how to follow Christ and practice law. I was
amazed to see Phil, a former trial lawyer, so humble and transparent.
I'm not in awe of the man, but how God, through people and events in Phil's
life, has emptied the man and filled him with Himself. He is a great model
for me."
-Roy Johnston, Attorney, Santa Rosa,
California, DNA Ministry Reference
"We have known the Downer's for three years and during this time
Phil and Susy have been instrumental in helping us develop a stronger
marriage. In the numerous Bible studies we have attended in their home,
we have learned to work through our difference, communicate openly, and
fulfill our roles in marriage as God intended. The key for us in their
ministry has been Phil and Susy's real life examples of overcoming adversities
in their marriage. Their honesty and openness creates an environment for
adults to express themselves without the fear of judgment. This type of
leadership has helped us to become more open with each other in our marriage,
and has created a new honest approach for expressing our feelings and
thoughts toward each other. Thank you, Phil and Susy."
-Cain and Heather Wooten, Signal
Mountain, Tennessee, Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Astec Industries and
Homemaker
"At our Leadership Prayer Breakfast April 6, 2001 Phil and Susy
spoke to almost 1500 people. They were two of the most effective speakers
we have had in over 20 years, presenting a clear testimony of their lives
before Christ, the gospel of Jesus Christ, how they were changed by Christ,
and how someone could come to saving faith. Of the 436 people who indicated
they prayed to receive Christ with Phil at the end of Susy and Phil's
remarks, there were some very high level military, business and governmental
leaders. Then on Sunday we brought three different congregations together,
many of whom brought guests to hear Phil and Susy again and 23 people
prayed to receive Christ. All in all, the Downers are right on target
and God is using them enormously."
-Morris Takushi, Honolulu, Hawaii,
DNA Ministry Reference
"Phil gave an excellent, concise, and clear presentation of the
Gospel on May 1, at our CBMC Outreach Luncheon. Men and women were clearly
challenged regarding the claims of Jesus Christ. Phil's presentation was
humorous, personal and yet direct and to the point regarding man's need
of a relationship with Christ. He clearly communicated how man is separated
from God and the steps necessary to become a believer. Phil's presentation
of the Gospel was effective, clear, and direct. We had more responses
for men and women accepting Christ than any of our previous outreaches
in several years."
-Eddie and Betsy Watkins, President, Watkins Financial Group, and Homemaker, Raleigh,
North Carolina, DNA Advisory Board
"Phil Downer is truly one of God's modern disciples. He unselfishly
gave of his time to lead me to our Lord. He continues to patiently meet
and pray with me one-on-one in a manner that resurges my spirit each and
every time we meet. The power of this man-to-man ministry is real. Phil
humbly opens his heart and touches my human need for Christian friendship,
love and understanding. This ministry is strengthened by a weekly morning
Men's Prayer Breakfast and Bible study at his home. The message is simple.
We are all God's children, burdened by the same issues and HIS words provide
the answers. God is truly working through Phil to lift me up to the Lord."
-Jamey Smith, Vice President, Operations,
Retubeco, Signal Mountain, Tennessee, DNA Ministry Reference
"The 6:30 a.m. Monday men's prayer group and Bible study breakfast
at the Downer's has been life changing for me over the last three years.
I try never to miss it. It's a time when we get honest, open up, look
into the Word, and pray together about our pain, struggles, and God's
call to reach other men for Christ."
-Gordon Wetmore, Mountain, Portrait
Artist, Signal Mountain, Tennessee, DNA Ministry Reference
Jim and Carolyn Blankemeyer - Chairman,
MetoKote Corp. and Homemaker, Lima, Ohio, DNA Advisory Board
Dale Burklund -
Owner, Walker Tire Inc., Omaha Nebraska, DNA Board Member
Lewis Card, Jr. - Partner, Card-Monroe
Corp., Chattanooga, Tennessee, DNA Advisory Board
Greg Comfort - Senior Pastor, First
Baptist Church, Concord, New Hampshire, DNA Ministry Reference
Vic Coppola - President, P.I. Associates,
Delray Beach, Florida, DNA Ministry Endorser
Bill Critchfield - Director, His
Academy Homeschooling Group, Walnut Creek, California, DNA
Ministry Reference
Roger Davis -
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Concord, New Hampshire, DNA Ministry
Reference
Fred Dunagan - CBMC Carolina Family
Conference Chairman and Owner, Dunagan Engineering, DNA Ministry Reference
Dan Erickson - Executive Director,
National Coalition of Men's Ministries, Kansas City, Kansas, DNA
Ministry Reference
Danny Falligant - Attorney, Inglesby,
Falligant, Horne, Courington, and Chisholm, Savannah, Georgia, DNA Ministry
Reference
Jon and Charlotte Faulkner -
Vice President, Planning and Development, The Dixie Group and
Homemaker, Signal Mountain, Tennessee, DNA Advisory Board
Michael and Bethany Felix - President
& CEO, AT&T, Alascom, and Homemaker, Anchorage, Alaska, DNA Advisory Board
Bob and Paula Gilbert - Electrical
Engineer, Graco and Homemaker, Minneapolis, Minnesota, DNA
Ministry Endorsers
Bill and Judy Hardin - President,
Metro Home Products, Inc. and Homemaker, Atlanta, Georgia, DNA Advisory Board
Randy Hatcher - President, MAU
Inc., Augusta, Georgia, DNA Ministry Reference
Gene Latta -
President, Gene Latta Ford-Buick, Inc., Hanover, Pennsylvania,
DNA Advisory Board
Jim and Mary Gail Lyon - Physician
and Homemaker, Atlanta, Georgia, DNA Advisory Board
Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr. - President,
The Maclellan Foundation, Chattanooga, Tennessee, DNA Advisory Board
Duane McPheeters - Owner, Delivery
Today, Santa Rosa, California, DNA Ministry Endorser
Scott Melby - Senior V.P. Paul
Johnson, Inc., Birmingham, Michigan, DNA Ministry Endorser
Don Mitchell - Former GM Executive
and Consultant, Detroit, Michigan, DNA Ministry Endorser
Dick Moses - Electrical and Mechanical
Engineer, Retired, Charleston, West Virginia, DNA Ministry Reference
Paul Olschner -Vice President,
Blue Harbor Development Co., St. Louis, Missouri, Vice Chairman, DNA
Board of Directors
Dave Parr - President, Marketing
Concept Plans, Little Rock, Arkansas, DNA Ministry Endorser
Dr. W. Gary Phillips - Distinguished
Professor Biblical Studies, Bryan College and pastor, Chattanooga, Tennessee,
DNA Ministry Endorser
Fred Shank - Owner, Techniques
in Wood, Scranton, Pennsylvania, DNA Ministry Reference
Victor P. Smith - Owner, Victor
P. Smith Company, Jackson, Mississippi, DNA Ministry Reference
Lee and Lisa Truax -
Solutions Architect, Hewlett-Packard Company and And Homemaker,
Greater Boston Area, Massachusetts, DNA Ministry Endorsers
Jim and Linda Underwood - President,
Smooth Move, Inc. and Homemaker, Lake Arrowhead California, DNA Advisory Board
Roy and Mary Wunderlich - Lead
Man, Conagra Mill and Homemaker, Chester, Illinois,
Homeschool References, DNA Ministry References
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