Men's Ministry

Men and women:
one in Christ

By Margaret Patterson and Glenda and Robert Hyde

CORNVILLE, Arizona—The Phoenix Community of Hope Church Men’s Empowerment Network (M.E.N.s) Ministry sponsored a retreat for men and women May 24 to 26.

The retreat included prayer groups, meals, discussions, video presentations and praise and worship.

  Margaret Patterson

Barry Fall and Robert Hyde coordinated the retreat. Richard McKeon, Gerard Coard and Marilyn Fall provided worship music.

The men and women met to discuss gender differences and how they might bring about peace and mend the broken bridges between the sexes. They were joined from Pasadena by Curtis May, Southwest district superintendent, and Paul Sniffen, director of men’s ministry for the Southwest district.

Curtis May       

Mr. May spoke to the group about reconciliation, and showed a video featuring John Dawson of the International Reconciliation Coalition (IRC). They sang, prayed, talked, laughed and cried.

"I hope we can do it all again and again and again," said Margaret Patterson of the Community of Hope women’s ministry. "I came away with a new perspective on what reconciliation means between the genders and the races. I have much to learn, but I believe that God has a great work for both men and women to do. I believe if we work together, we can bring balance to the Body of Christ and understand our differences as something positive. For man is not independent of woman, and woman is not independent of man (1 Corinthians 11:11)."

"As members of the body of Christ, we have much to learn about each other," said Robert Hyde, "and this retreat provided a safe starting point to focus on the gifts, the differences and the sameness that men and women have in Jesus Christ.

"There has been so much hurt, damage and misunderstanding between the sexes. To bring healing you must bring the two separated parts into contact with each other. The process of healing has begun. The process is not always an easy one, but the healing fruits are real and well worth the effort."

Another retreat is planned for next year based on the same theme, with both men and women invited. For more information, see the Phoenix WCG Community of Hope Church web site at www.community ofhopechurch.org or contact Barry Fall or Robert Hyde at robo8101@earthlink.net

ONE IN CHRIST—Participants in
retreat for men and women.

 

Men's Ministry sponsors Pasadena area picnic

PASADENA—Paul Sniffen, director of men’s ministry for the Southwest district and an elder in Pasadena’s NewLife Fellowship, was host for a family picnic, June 2.

The event took place at Farnsworth Park in Altadena, a suburb of Pasadena. Dennis and Lorraine Pelley, Mervin Walton and John Neypes provided games for the children. Brian Spurgeon led a sing-along.

 

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