We had a powerful retreat with over 60 brothers last weekend. The worship team led by Stu Hayes was anointed with brother Mike Pierson strong on the drums and our lineup of speakers delivered in a big way on our theme of identity & mission in Christ (Hollis Haff, Jon Kolb, Kim Costanza & Milton Raiford). Men commented on how the fellowship and breakout sessions were a great blessing that produced real depth of discussion and confession. We really enjoyed the Jersey boys (7 men) led by Jeff Krum who travelled 300 miles to join us. The Lord opened the skies on Saturday to give us some sweet sunshine from 1-4pm for our free time. The men and boys enjoyed mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and climbing the Rockwall. We presented a Locking Arms Coin to David Jacobs, Bob McGowan and Milton Raiford for their life example following hard after Christ (Mark 8:34-35) and their faithfulness in adversity to our brothers (Proverbs 17:17).
We put Terry Brown’s poem Rugged Wood on the back of our camp T-shirt to honor him as well. See below. David Jacobs and Bob shared with us about a new nonprofit they are starting called Mercy’s Victory (James 2:13) that will support Terry’s Ministry to incarcerated men in California and through his writings to inmates (Devotions & Poems) and their families nationally.
Rugged Wood
by Terry Brown
Through pains chains, and prosecutions,
By my side, my brothers stood;
My eyes see walls, but no seclusions,
On hill we stand like Rugged Wood;
Unsplintered love, no mere illusion,
Through blame and guilt my brothers stood;
We Lock Arms, resist intrusion,
Because we’re built by Rugged Wood (Galatians 2:20).