"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." - 2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV)

Dear New Life in Christ Family,

Consider this quote about biblical masculinity: “We are at our best, gentlemen, when we make the people around us feel secure.” - Brant Hansen

I heard this quote this morning on one of my regular podcasts, and I resonated deeply with that vision of masculinity – that the people around us, depending on us, would feel secure. This is the simple vision of masculinity in the Bible, with God's original command for Adam in Genesis 2:15 to "work and keep" the garden, to be later joined by his wife (Genesis 2:18) and, eventually, by children, to take dominion of the earth.

With this vision, men are called to help people feel secure, especially their families, by actively protecting them—not just from external threats, but also from their own shortcomings such as anger, lust, laziness, and greed. This internal battle reminds us that often, our loved ones’ greatest threat is ourselves if we do not walk faithfully before God. While we spend time and money on physical security measures like security cameras and firearms, we too often overlook the everyday harm we can cause.

Our calling as Christian men is to serve God and our families and our communities in all that we do. This requires the guidance, strength, and grace of Jesus to continually redirect us towards obedience and transformation through His grace.

This is the purpose of our men's retreat in October – to find that guidance, strength and grace for this calling.

A men's retreat provides an opportunity to band together, alongside other men, engaging with God's Word, discussing our faith, and applying it meaningfully to our lives. It’s a time for rest and spiritual renewal, enabling us to return to our daily responsibilities with renewed vigor, vision, hope, and spirit.

I sincerely hope you can join us from October 17-19 at the Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond, VA. Most accommodations are hotel-style with two beds per room, with some in a larger group sleeping arrangement.

We are privileged to have Jon Nitta teaching at our retreat. Jon is pastor at Calvary Church of Valparaiso, Indiana, and my Campus Crusade for Christ mentor during college, the man who married Julie and I, and a good friend. This year Jon will talk about "how to live well now to finish well later" through discipleship to Christ. The retreat will include time for singing, studying Scripture, fellowship, rest, and fun.

I very much hope you can come.

Before I close, I want to reflect on a recent sobering event: a prominent Christian leader fell morally after decades of influential ministry. It’s a poignant reminder that if we are to “live well now to finish well later”, we must guard against our fallen nature and be renewed in Christ through continual fellowship with Him, His church, and our families. We need each other’s support and accountability to walk in faithfulness, love, and good deeds, not just for our personal growth but for our collective witness.

Please consider joining the men’s retreat for this critical time of discipleship. To register, contact the church office or speak to Pastor Sam. Scholarships are available.

Faithfully Yours,

Pastor Sean