American Missionary Fellowship

Our small town of 750 has no Bible study for men, and the adult Sunday school class held in the local church is not being attended very well, for several reasons.  The Lord has led me to meet weekly with a small group of five to eight men.  These men vary greatly in spiritual depth and maturity.  However, just holding the Bible Study is meeting a very real need. 

Nothing earth shattering has happened. No one has gotten saved. We have no testimonies of awesome application, just the provision of regular spiritual food and encouragement for them to feed themselves.  The appreciation they show, the expression of joy over learning a new truth, and the opportunities to share prayer requests with others are very real. 

Several men look forward all week to the time of study and prayer.  If they miss a meeting, they stop by to pick up the worksheet for the upcoming lesson or request I send them a copy.  It’s a welcome release for them from the pressures of working in ungodly environments, living with unsaved spouses, seeing grandchildren they have been raising put back with abusive parents, and seeing friends die of cancer. 

Even though the group is small in number, I feel I am making a difference in the lives of these men, their families, and the people they, in turn, impact each week.  Men include a policeman, a mechanic, a basketball coach, a businessman, and someone struggling with an addiction; some serve on boards, and others are regular working Joes.  Their influence is an ever-widening ripple, and I am honored to be a part of their spiritual journey.