“I’m married to a different man now,” Rachel says about her husband, Calum. The first years of their marriage were tough. She knew Jesus, but he didn’t. He went to church, but only to make her happy. She tried leading their family spiritually, but she wasn’t effective.
Things started to change when Calum noticed that men at Parkway Baptist Church in Moseley, Virginia were different. They were visible, active, and engaged. Calum joined the church’s softball team and began getting to know some of the guys he noticed on Sundays. Then, when Calum heard about a ten-week Better Man study at the church, he was ready to jump in. That’s when things started to become real. Calum recognized he couldn’t be the man he wanted to be, the husband Rachel deserved, or the father their four kids needed without help. He said “Yes” to Jesus, and everything changed.
At Noble Warriors, we celebrate transformation stories like Calum’s because we know that changed men change everything. We serve local churches to engage, equip, and encourage men. Parkway’s pastor, Derek Futrell, credits Noble Warriors for doing just that in the men’s ministry at his church. Derek leads Parkway with a heart for men. He invests in men personally and ensures they are visible examples of leadership in their homes and the church. Pastor Derek doesn’t do all the work, though. He delegates to godly men who share the vision and who have also been affected by the ministry of Noble Warriors.
Mike is one of those men. He is the Men’s Ministry team leader at Parkway. Motivated by Noble Warriors conferences and workshops, he launched Parkway’s softball ministry. He led others to host catalytic events that point men to small group discipleship as a “right next step.” Then, there’s Nolan. He introduced Calum to BetterMan and continues to disciple him as he grows in Christ. Because he’s walked the same road, Nolan guides many men through prayerful repentance and course correction in life, marriage, and fathering. He has long been connected with Noble Warriors. He attributes that connection and introduction of tools and resources to the vibrancy of his marriage, family, and a deep desire to invest in other men.
Pastor Derek leads the way with encouragement, Mike leads the team that plans and executes events to draw men in, and Nolan coaches small group leaders to grow with Jesus personally and to lead others well. This cycle of leadership and discipleship is proof of a healthy men’s ministry and is why Noble Warriors exists. Jesus is Lord. Men are learning to lead well. Wives are encouraged. Kids are discipled. The church is growing, and Noble Warriors is working from the sidelines, coaching the players, cheering the team, and suggesting plays from time to time.
As for Rachel, “The growth that I’ve seen in Calum, surrounded by godly men, is indescribable. It’s beautiful and has changed our home!”
