Men's Minstry:
Men meet for
fatherhood conference

By Leigh Sniffen

PASADENA—A conference on fatherhood took place at Pasadena’s First Church of the Nazarene, Aug. 10 and 11.

Paul Sniffen, men’s ministry director for the Southwest region, was host. Attendees included ministers, members of the Promise Keepers leadership team of Southern California, and several wives.

Friday evening, Aug. 10, Bermie Dizon, pastor of the Los Angeles and Pasadena NewLife Fellowship congregations, spoke on the church’s responsibility to search out, develop and prepare leaders for the next generation of the church. He cited biblical examples of older leaders mentoring and supporting younger ones. He addressed several areas where men need to be more sensitive to be more effective at fathering.

Neil Earle, pastor of the Glendora, California, church, spoke on the stages of human psychological development and paralleled it with the development and generational perpetuation of the church.

Saturday’s presentations began when Larry Omasta, an elder and small group coordinator in the Pasadena congregation, spoke on the meaning of true masculinity, using the man Jesus as example.

Mike Feazell gave a presentation titled "Chips Off the Old Block" in which he reminded us that God saves us in spite of ourselves for the sake of Christ.

Hearts of Praise from NewLife Fellowship led praise and worship. Members are Steve Brooks, Carmelita Dizon, Linda Laureles, Mike Legel, Steve and Nina Perez, Rayminda Reyes, Brian Spurgeon, Phyllis Vance and Mervin Walton.

John Putterman, a ministerial trainee in the Altadena Community Life congregation, led worship on both days.

Curtis May, district superintendent, spoke on male depression and gave illustrations of how males and females deal differently with the same situations.

Mervin Walton, an evangelism and outreach ministry leader in NewLife Fellowship, spoke of the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit, and that he is a being, not an "it."

The conference concluded with an interactive sharing exercise designed for participants to personalize their experience. Mr. Sniffen followed with a presentation on the principles of fathering and communion.

FATHERHOOD CONFERENCE—
Conference participants listen to
presentation by Larry Omasta.
[Photos by Ron Grove]

Bermie Dizon

Neil Earle

John Putterman

Curtis May

Larry Omasta

Mike Feazell

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001