WHAT PEOPLE SAY
When I attended my first Men's Encounter, I made the decision to come with an open mind. It solidified so much for me, and I can honestly say it was one of the most important weekends of my life.
At the Men's Encounter, I found peace and contentment. I also found a new desire to serve God to the best of my God given abilities. I found self forgiveness and acceptance.
I knew this event was going to be good with all the enemy's resistance, and I was correct. By the time I left, I had an oppression lifted off me that has been trying to steal my soul for years! I wont miss another M.E.N. encounter.
Words cannot express how much this impacted me. My life has been changed. EVERY MAN needs to hear this message. I will be back!
TESTIMONIALS
My story starts the same as so many other men out there. My mother and father divorced when I was 6, and while my father remained in my life I did not have a strong relationship with him nor did I see him as often as I could have. My mother was a Christian, but my father had little interest in God and had instilled that in me.
I was a pre teen when acquired my first porn magazine which shaped the next 30+ years of my life. I had one thought 24-7, women. I had destroyed two marriages and was in my third before I realized that the issues of the past were not because of my ex's, but a direct result of my obsession with sex.
I had no children of my own so when my youngest grandson came to live with my wife and I. I was confident I wasn't father material and figured the best way to make sure he was raised right was Church. I started off with online sermons but God finally settled my wife and I at a local church.
I was going to church regularly but even as great as my church was I was still struggling with serious lust issues, my identity as a man was still centered in a world view and even though I knew the direction I needed to be pointed in I wasn't sure what I needed to do to get there.. but God once again showed me the path I needed to take. I had been in church for a year or so by the time Bett and the Men's Encounter North guys came to my church to talk during a Men's conference we were hosting, I was primed and ready for a man focused experience.
Men's Encounter North is like nothing I have attended before or since. The format, the speakers, the volunteers and most Importantly the Holy Spirit. God is in every single Men's Encounter North event, it doesn't take long to see that the room is filled with the Holy Spirit and his hand is upon each and every speaker, leader and volunteer.
Men's Encounter North is 24 hours of men pouring into men. An experience that will not be soon forgotten and most men repeat it often. It is a life changing event.
I have a better relationship with my wife and grandchildren. I am now an Associate Pastor, a leader in the B.O.L.D. Men's Ministry and a frequent volunteer with Men's Encounter North.
I believe God lead me to this organization, without the Men's Encounter North leaders, volunteers, the incite and challenges from the speakers, the fellowship with other men in search of the same things I was in search of. I would not have had the spiritual growth bringing me closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that was required to meet the challenges, make the changes and free me from the chains that held me in bondage.
Chris Robey
Men’s Encounter North has been an important part of my walk with God. I was in recovery from drugs and alcohol for about three and a half years when I came to the first encounter. I had heard about the encounter and how they were helping men with breakthroughs. Being an advocate for recovery, God was putting on my heart that there was a lack of strong Godly men that were leaders in their homes and their communities. A friend of mine told me about how that is what Men’s Encounter North was doing, helping disciple men to become Godly leaders in their homes and communities. The first encounter I thought I was going to just observe and take notes on how to help men become leaders. What I didn’t realize was, while I was taking notes what I was hearing was exactly why God had me there. I was realizing that if I wanted to disciple other men, I had to become a stronger Godlier man myself. I had not let go of some things that had happened to me. I was holding on to past pains and struggles that I had buried down deep inside. During the encounter the Holy Spirit got ahold of me, and I broke down. I was completely broken that night and started crying out to God to help heal me from it all. I have to say that Men’s Encounter North is one of the main reasons I have grown as a leader in my community and church. I know now what it takes to be a strong Godly leader in my home. And it is backed up with scripture which is the great part.
To be able to see what God’s word says about becoming the men He created us to be with testimonies of others that have gone through the same thing. I know I have bothers in Christ I can always lean on with the men from the encounter that will grow stronger as the years come.
Daniel Bueno
When I was invited by my good buddy that I love so much, Patrick, I didn’t know what to think about attending. He wouldn’t tell me much about it. I did have the attitude of, “I’m just going to go there, listen to these guys, and go home.” Not that I didn’t have faith in God, or should I say believe in God, I did believe in God, but I found myself to be a lukewarm Christian and was kind of falling off. What I experienced and what I got to witness, all the speakers that spoke of their testimonies. I quickly realized that I wasn’t so far gone at all, we all have the same problems in some form or fashion. It was the Jesus skit that really put things into perspective for me, that changed me for the better, because while watching, I realized “that is me”. I was always putting Jesus to the side saying, “Oh you know I’ll do this, and I’ll come back to you later.” I also realized that my addiction to lust/porn was worse than I thought. I was able to join a small group outside of Men’s Encounter North that helped me, and to this day have been porn free.
I truly enjoy serving next to all the guys with Men’s Encounter North and have seen magnificent things happen at this event that change men’s lives. I am very grateful, and I thank the Lord above that Men’s Encounter North helped me with the problems I had, which, after that was resolved other little problems started diminishing in my life as well. I love you guys and pray that Men’s Encounter North continues to grow and change the lives of other men like me.
Donnie McGuire
When I went to my first encounter, I was stuck in an addiction I could not beat. My marriage was struggling and my walk with God was almost non-existent. I was raised in church but didn’t know what it meant to have a relationship with Him. I had walls around my mind and my heart and I wouldn’t let anyone get close. At the end of the encounter, my view of God had changed and the walls began to come down! This encounter put me on a path that led me to experience Jesus like never before!
Y’all are doing some amazing work! Thank you for all you do!
Todd Frazier
I’ve been to two encounters. Both were amazing. However, something happened at the second one that just rocked me. It was when Stephanie gave her testimony about what a woman needed in communication that sent me into tears. I’ve had three divorces and never understood the significance of how I communicated (or lack thereof) that contributed towards our eventual divorce. My stubborn Irishness revealed how selfish I actually was. I now have a greater understanding of a woman’s need for straightforward and earnest communication. One or two word responses will not meet her needs. I can’t wait to test my new understanding, as God brings my companion to be at my side.
Daniel Sullivan
The Men's Encounter North has changed my life! It has made me the man I am today; on fire for the Lord!!
I am “The Firestarter”!!
Justin Sladovnik
Tomorrow is the 2-year anniversary of my wife’s unexpected death after a failed open-heart surgery. We had a plan, sort of, but it was all about her surviving me and not me carrying on without her. We were soul mates, she was the love of my life, and we were known as Jim and Linda, not Jim or Linda, for 44 years + 1 month. I was a wreck, a rudderless ship, and a life seemingly without purpose.
Linda and Stephanie Harvey were dear friends and Stephanie was Linda’s hairdresser. They shared thoughts that probably nobody else knew about or ever will know about. Bett had invited me to several Encounters over the years, but it just wasn’t the right time. I just wasn’t motivated and guess I didn’t feel the need. Bett called again as the next Encounter was coming up right away. This time, I answered his call and attended. The experience changed my life!
I guess I’d never seen the raw emotion of an encounter with Jesus Christ, nor the immediate and positive changes that can take place. On Friday night, out at the crosses, I cried like a baby and emptied my grief into the bonfire. I found new reasons to live, to serve in my church and other ministries. I now lead a men’s group from church, and also serve on the M.E.N. prayer team. The next encounter will be my 6 th plus I’ve attended one Battleground conference. Every day of my life now has purpose and Men’s Encounter North was the catalyst for my rebirth.
Jim Campbell
I was invited to my first Encounter by my stepson, and I decided to
come along. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I needed time with Jesus. Well, needless to say it
was exactly what I needed. I let go of most of my strongholds that night, but I held on to
pornography addiction thinking that I could handle it by myself. This was my first, but not my last
Encounter. God still talked to me in between encounters, prompting me to release my last
stronghold. Finally, I surrendered my pornography addiction. Now I am part of BOLD, a
pornography accountability group, as well as on the Prayer Team as part of M.E.N. support team.
Robert Mora