In an effort to remind Christian men of their important roles as leaders and mentors, an inspiring program will be shared with the community next week.
Dr. Tony Evans’ popular Kingdom Man will be viewed on Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church.
“A Kingdom Man is a man who lives a life pleasing to God everyday,” said I.N. Hart, who began following Evans’ work about two years ago. “God has authority over his life and he lives his life in a manner that others see and want to follow.”
The local viewing will be from Evans’ talk that he gave to several thousand men at the Gridiron Conference in Alabama this summer. Reece Vaughan was at that conference when he was exposed to being a Kingdom Man.
“Evans was among six speakers at that conference, and his speech really hit harder than any of them,” Vaughan said. “It made me do a lot of soul searching and ask myself, ‘am I really being the man God calls me to be or am I just play acting?’ It inspired me to want to do better.”
Evans’ program is geared towards reminding men of their destiny to live a life pleasing to God. As men continue on their journey of obedience, they set an example for the younger generation.
“As we grow spiritually, we become more like Christ and regain the image of God that we were created to be,” Hart said. “As this happens, young people see this example and are saved. Dr. Evans attempts to help Christian men reclaim their role as Spiritual leaders.”
Men are to become spiritual leaders in their society, family, church and businesses. Although it is easy to get sidetracked, Evans brings back to focus what truly matters.
“I know I am nowhere near where I need to be, but I am a work in progress,” Vaughan said. “We look around our world, and we see all the problems in our land and home. We try to blame others. But if you want to know the real reason, it is looking back at us every morning in the mirror. It starts right back with us.”
Both Hart and Vaughan also said the program sets a tone for churches to encourage and engage a Kingdom Man. They both agree that theme needs to spread more within the church.
“A lot of times, we miss the point,” Vaughan said. “Church sometimes becomes more of a social club. We are not really being the Kingdom workers we need to be. It makes me want to try harder to be the person I know that I am supposed to be.”
“This is a topic that our mainline churches are missing,” Hart added. “Not only did Jesus come to save us from our sins, but he came teaching about the Kingdom of God. Most of our churches seem not to have ears and if they do, they do not understand.”
Hart said the Kingdom of God is available to all who willingly submit the rule of their hearts to God's authority.
“And likewise, those who deny God’s authority and refuse to submit to Him are not part of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is Spiritual. In John 18:36, Jesus tells us that ‘His Kingdom is not of this world.’ Also in John 3:5-7, Jesus says to Nicodemus that to enter God's Kingdom, you must be born again.”
Vaughan and Hart hope the men of the community will visit FUMC next Monday to learn more on how to become a Kingdom Man. It is something both the church and community need now and for future generations.
“Satan is Lord of this world, and he constantly distracts us from our true goals in life,” Hart said. “Tony Evans tries to get us focused back on what is important.”
