From Leo Wisniewski
In this Christmas season an emphasis on both Christ’s first coming and his second coming are important dimensions for us to capture Christ the King in a richer kingdom context. Our sense of awe and wonder over the birth narrative of Christ though well intended can be overtaken by ‘hurry’ with our long list of responsibilities. This can lead to great anxiety, materialistic gift giving, and a sense of exhaustion; spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional.
Maybe our observance of Christ in Christmas, though well intended, mirrors our lack of faith? That is, it doesn’t go deep enough to change our hearts. Maybe the heart of the problem lies in our approach to faith in a transactional way? In sharp contrast the characters in the story of Jesus birth portray a transformational faith. Characters like the angel Gabriel, Zechariah (though not at first) and his barren wife Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the angels, and Simeon’s prayer over baby Jesus, the Lord Christ (Luke 2:26).
In the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) Jesus challenges us as regards the true nature of our faith. He does so through a widow who is undeterred in approaching an unrighteous judge. Think of him like a local magistrate. She kept coming to him seeking justice against her adversary. The judge finally relents and grants the widow her justice. She exhibits a transformational faith, seen in her great persistence and resilience. She had what some call ‘grit’. A transformational faith that persists in prayer like the widow’s receives not because she was owed but because she knew she was so greatly loved.
Jesus says “Will not God give justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8
When the Son of Man comes…think first on this title from Daniel 7:13-14. “And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom..his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away.”
When the Son of Man comes will he find in me a transactional faith or a transformational faith?
Many of the Jews in Jesus day were exhibiting transactional faith, that is the type of faith that says I obey you Lord in these ways: church attendance, morality, giving to the poor…all of the ways the elder brother expressed that he was justified to his Father in the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:25-32). He obeyed them in full expectation of his inheritance, a double portion, as the eldest son, even though he had no love for his prodigal younger brother. (Read the Parable of the Lost Son in Luke chapter 15 for the context of how great is God’s love.)
Transactional faith yields shallow love and always look for an immediate reward. A transformed heart is trained by the discipline of following Christ. It yields a sacrificial love and looks to the eternal reward. “He who seeks to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for me and the gospel’s will save it.” Mark 8:35
10 Year Anniversary of Locking Arms Men
We are celebrating 10 years of gratitude for God’s faithfulness to us. We are rejoicing in the provision of his Holy Spirit as our yoke partner in disciple making, your generous support, and our team of gritty leaders. “Our mission is to equip men to love Jesus, love their neighbor, and make disciples.” I want to thank our disciple makers whose leadership in our weekly huddles has continued to be the heart and soul of Locking Arms. Currently, we have 12 weekly huddles around greater Pittsburgh (2 more at the Washington County Jail) with a total of 16 leaders and co-leaders. These groups are designed to be a mirror of Jesus strategy making disciples in the illustration of 4 Chairs. These are: Win (Come & See), Build (Follow Me), Equip (I will Make You Fishers of Men) & Multiply (Go & Bear Fruit).
Discipleship groups: www.lockingarmsmen.org/huddles
Our men have undergone a great measure of training through the years that is yielding great fruit for the kingdom of God. These groups are strongly attended and we are blessed to have transformational men leading them!
Please pray for them: Neil Walker, James Ransom, Tim Whalen, Leo, Bob Gilbert, Jim Buchanan, Jim Sed, Eric Gregory, John McCullough, David Jacobs, Eric White, Joe Goldcamp, Dario Donatelli, Bob Roth, Kevin Patterson, and Ray Sartori.
Special thanks to our founding board (Bill Krahe, Dario Donatelli, John Cullen) and our present board for their generosity and leadership: Tim Whelan, George Adams, Eric Gregory, Ed Savolskis, Bob McGowan, Leo Wisniewski. Thanks also for George Fleming who recently left.
Highlights: May Retreat at Camp Peniel
We had a very strong retreat in word, worship and “hands on” practice. Approximately 50 men attended including 12 young men. We focused on developing skills and using aids like the “Three Circles” in sharing the gospel with new people one on one. Jim Skal’s Creation Walk was highly praised as it involved identifying trauma/sin from our past and present that may be keeping us from a full heart of worship and obedience to Christ. Regrettably, our December retreat was rescheduled to May 16-18, 2025 due to a snow storm in Meyersdale.
Christmas Celebration 12/13
Thanks to all who supported our Christmas Celebration and Breakfast! It was a powerful gathering and a picture of God’s faithfulness to Locking Arms over the past 10 years. Many thanks to Stu Hayes and the worship team including Ted Rymarz and his gifted horn section. Many thanks to Pastor Matt Glidden who brought the word of God. We are thankful for our brother Justin Eberhart and his wife Nicky for catering the breakfast as well.
Ministry Partners
Thanks to our ministry partners who were with us especially: Del Rey Ministries (Kim Costanza), Mercy For All Nations (John Carey), Good Shepherd Academy, and Northgate Church.
We are blessed to be giving away in support to our partners over 20% of our annual budget. This includes Neil Walker’s work in New Kensington raising up young men in leadership groups and utilizing cycling as a tool for mentoring, discipleship and building community. Over 100 people have been introduced in the past year to Christ through this “Come and See” approach.
The Need
Our golf outing was very successful raising a net amount near $28,000. It helped us to make it through the 3rd quarter. Thanks to all who supported us. Special thanks to our key sponsors: Colussy Chevrolet (Tim Colussy), Sunny Days In-Home Care (David Ellenwood), Jason Wolfe (Wolfe Family Foundation), and Compati Home Care (Neil Larimer) for their faithful support throughout the year.
We have begun to see a generous response to our need for the first quarter of 2025 but we need your help. Can you make a donation of $50, $100 or more? You could help us by joining our monthly donor team?
You can make a donation on our website at: www.lockingarmsmen.org/giving or send us a check payable to Locking Arms Men. Our address: 6307 Oyster Bay Court, Bridgeville PA 15017. Your prayer support and financial help is greatly appreciated. Your partnership enables us to continue in God’s work here in Pittsburgh and in the Dominican Republic.
Watch this 3 minute video that captures our mission in action: