Via TJC
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5
I’m sort of ashamed to admit this, but I was 53 years old when I realized that the fruit Jesus is referring to here is souls. Looking back over the years, I was going to church, but I wasn’t bearing fruit. I wasn’t leading anyone or letting God’s light shine through me for others to see.
About 5 years ago I had heard God calling me to evoke His name and spirit in my work as a consultant and soon I found myself at my first Joshua Commission outing. It was really the first time in my adult life that anyone had really spoken to me and held me accountable to my role as a Kingdom man. TJC taught me that just sitting in the crowd wasn’t what I was designed for. Within a few months, I began my first “Every Man a Warrior” class. Then, I asked my pastor to breakfast and asked about how I could actually serve in my church. A new multi-generational Sunday School class wasn’t quite what I had in mind, but that was the need. So my wife, and I began attending Sunday School for the first time in years.
A few months later I joined the church’s security team and was soon asked to join the finance committee as well. I continued to pray for God to use me, unaware that he already was. Last year, a young man was directed to me after his brother had attended a TJC group in Chickamauga. He was about to get married, and he asked me to mentor him and I, while feeling completely ill prepared, agreed. Soon, another man asked for my time and then another. What in the Amazing Grace was suddenly happening?
While sitting with two of the men in a coffee shop on a cold Saturday morning, one asked when the next EMAW class was starting. We had been waiting for someone to start a new class for them to join, when I realized that what they were waiting for was me to do what I was supposed to.
The class filled up quickly, 9 in all. But I knew my brother in Kentucky needed EMAW too, so why not another multi-state zoom class with friends from North Carolina while we’re at it?
Through God’s divine Grace, the laborious efforts of TJC, the daily battle orders and the constant reminder that I was made for more than holding down a pew, I realized that others were now seeing God’s light through me, and it was leading others to become Kingdom men!
The Joshua Commission is changing lives across generations. Enabling men to become better husbands, better fathers, and better leaders in our pursuit of bearing fruit!
Daily Battle Order:
Where have you been called to change lives by God? Have you responded? Today is your day to answer God and step across the river “strong and courageous”. Ask your family if they want to help you ?
To learn more about how The Joshua Commission trains kingdom men, come with your spouse and join TJC on the Battlefield, this 27APR at Chickamauga or this 11MAY at Gettysburg. Registration & more at https://www.joshuacommission.org/ .