4 quick ministry updates from 2020 and how you can join us in discipling dads

This hasn’t been the easiest year for discipling dads. Earlier this year, one of my sons asked, “Dad, when was the last time you lived through something like this?” My answer was quick, “Never.” A global pandemic? Severe racial tension? No March Madness? Not in my lifetime. 

Each of us learned new skills. We’ve worn masks everywhere, became ZOOM ninjas, and converted that spare corner into a (semi-presentable) “home office”. Many dads got serious about spiritual growth. Some for the first time. We built new tools to reach dads. I’d like to update you on some of the ways we helped dads grow and lead their families.

Sadly, fathers have gone—as in, gone away. I’m not sure you’ve noticed, but most of our societal problems are connected to fathers not being in the home. I’ve seen studies that show as many as 1 in 3 children are growing up in a home today with no father around. Ironically, 84% of teens have a smartphone. Let me say it another way…

It’s more likely for a kid to have a cell phone than a dad in the home. That’s creating major problems. As fathers go, so goes our culture.

So, as we plodded through this year, we took a number of new steps at Manhood Journey and within our online Father On Purpose community to help you as a dad. I’d like to relay these updates to you and THANK YOU for following along! 

Update #1: We’ve now created more than 100 new resources for discipling dads. 

Book: The Manhood Journey —our second book focuses on helping dads chart a course to biblical fatherhood. This practical resource will help you pick up essential tools and make meaningful progress on your journey. Buy The Manhood Journey book now or snag the first two chapters for free. 

Book: More Than the Score by former MLB Pitcher Pat Combs – this book helps parents and coaches cultivate virtue in youth athletes. 

Digital download: Ways Dads Can Be Intentional During COVID-19 – a free tool with 90+ ideas from dads on how to make the most of the extra time at home. 

Digital download: How Well do You Know Your Dad? – a free workbook that helps dad connect with their children and share personal stories. More than 1,400 of you have snagged this resource! 

Blog posts: Over the last year, we’ve posted every week to help thousands of you conquer your top challenges, communicate better with your families, and be more intentional. We now have over 300 blog posts written just for you!

Facebook Live event: Getting in the Game—free one-night event featuring former two-time NBA All-Star (and dad of seven!) Allan Houston. It spurred dads on to get off the bench and get in the fatherhood game. 

40 Father On Purpose videos: From our monthly community — you can get biblical, brief, and action-oriented videos delivered to you weekly as we walk through scripture together. 

There’s more, but to summarize – we found 2020 to be a fruitful year of ministry. Dads were presented with new and difficult challenges. Many of you leveraged our resources to tackle those challenges. The COVID crisis prevented us from hosting our face-to-face events, but by focusing on digital tools we impacted more dads than ever before. 

Which resource has been most helpful to you?

Update #2: It’s confirmed. We are helping dads grow. 

We surveyed and asked you if our resources and events have helped you be better, godlier fathers. More than 95% of you said, “Yes!”

You told us way more — you said that you’re:

• 26% more comfortable praying with your wife and children
• 24% more likely to have a stable marriage
• 18% more likely to intentionally disciple your kids
• 18% more likely to connect with other godly men.

We received dozens of testimonials from all around the world. Here are just a few: 

“Thanks for the blog, men need it more than ever. You’re filling this hole.” —Nick (Ohio)

“I talk to my three sons about your content. I thank you for MJ!” –Greg (USA)

“Even though I’m a single mom, I use everything you put out.” –Michele (Kansas)

“Provided me with wise counsel and is full of practical advice.” –David (Peru)

Bottom line: the more you engage with our videos, blogs, and courses, the better off you are as a dad. Your marriage is stronger, you spend more time in the Bible, you pull in other godly men around you, and you pray more frequently with your wife and kids.

Have our tools helped you become a better dad?

Update #3: We built the first-ever Godly Father Assessment. 

I’m excited about this new tool! If COVID did one thing, it gave us some time back. We used some of that time to build an online survey so you can “map” yourself across seven godly fatherhood behaviors.

Once you do this, you’ll know where you are now and how you can make forward progress. You’ll get personalized results and suggested next steps. This could be a game-changer for you. 

Would you take the Godly Father Assessment? Find the Godly Father Assessment.

Update #4: We launched our WAYFINDER Team. 

Each of the last five years, we’ve hosted a ministry benefit dinner. It was our time to thank supporters, convey key updates, and invite new partners to support our mission. It’s been an important event, and we’ve had stellar and influential speakers share their wisdom for discipling dads. But this year, we’ve decided to push it off due to a number of factors. Yet, we still need financial support in 2021. We decided to galvanize our regular supporters into one team–the Wayfinder Team.

The Wayfinder Team is comprised of faithful, monthly donors committed to helping us help more dads. These are dads and followers like you who realize the importance of our mission.

Would you join us in discipling dads? Find more details over at the Wayfinder Team. If you become a member of this team, you’ll get insider information, sneak previews of new products, first dibs on event tickets, and a fancy t-shirt to commemorate your membership.

Thank God for another year of serving dads. And, thank you for following along on this journey. May God bless you and your family in 2021.