Written by: Minister Bruce
Welcome to March. For many, this month signifies the turning of the seasons, but for the Men of Valor, it marks our 4th annual March for Men services.
This is a sacred time in our church calendar where the men step to the forefront, not out of pride, but out of a desire to serve. Throughout this month, you will see the men of our congregation leading Sunday services, moderating our prayer meetings, and hosting events designed to pour back into the community and our church which we love so dearly.
This year, our focus theme is anchored in a powerful truth - Rescued by Grace. We are drawing our inspiration from two foundational pillars of Scripture: Psalm 51 and Ephesians 2. At first glance, these passages might seem like opposites, one is a desperate cry from the depths of failure, and the other is a triumphant declaration of our new identity. But together, they tell the complete story of a man’s journey with God.
The Humility of Psalm 51:
King David shows us that "valor" isn't about being perfect, it is about being honest. It’s the courage to say, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." It reminds us that no matter how far we’ve strayed, a broken and contrite heart is never despised by our Lord.
The Hope of Ephesians 2:
We transition from the "dust" of our mistakes to the "throne" of God’s favor. We are reminded that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own heavy lifting, pride, ego, or our "manly" achievements, so that no one can boast. We are His workmanship, created for good works.
Our hope for this month extends far beyond the walls of our sanctuary. We live in a world where men are often told they must "have it all together" or, conversely, that their leadership is unnecessary or only “when needed.”
March for Men is our rebuttal to those narratives. We pray that this month has a ripple effect on men everywhere - from the father struggling to connect with his kids, to the young man searching for his purpose, for the men falling out of the will of God and finding it hard to pick themselves up, to the leader feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Our goal is to show the world that a man of valor is simply a man who has realized he is desperately in need of a Savior and has been radically transformed by the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that rescued him.
Whether you are a member of our church, a neighbor in our community, or someone checking in from across the globe, we invite you to walk with us this March. Let’s set aside the masks or at times, the facade of self-sufficiency and embrace the rescue that has already been won for us through Christ Jesus.
We aren't just marching for ourselves - we are marching for our families, our legacies, and the glory of the Lord who called us out of darkness!
God Bless.
Men of Valor Presidents
Evangelist Clifford Clarke
Minister Benjamin Bruce