PTF v5.0

So we are finally back home.

Jsut when we felt we were ontop of it all as far as the PTF events, along comes a small group of 7 boys and totally blows all theories we have out the water. To say that God was in control at this recent event would be a gross understatement. I am in total awe of His works within the lives of boys and in this case thier dads.

The weekend was nothing but a testimony to Gods grace, love, and mercy within families where He is high and lifted up. From the onset, Dads had given glory to God in their lives and at every turn he was thanked. Emotions were raw and unhindered, but oh so real.

I am still trying to absorb and process the event as a whole, but i need to say that never before have i been touched like i was this weekend. I am left with a true and real hope for families and most importantly men who will raise families - strong Godly, God centered families.

Jesus is indeed The Way, The Truth and The Life.

Be Blessed

Daryl

Afterglow

Its official! The Passed Thru Fire Experience Ver 4.3 has been completed!

We started with 19 boys and 19 dads 10 weeks ago, and ended the event with 15 dads and 15 boys all excited and desperately seeking rest and recovery time.

Every time we run this event I am left in awe of God's faithfulness and provision... Yes some have walked away with more questions than answers, but at least they are questioning. questions mean there is hope, and since God is faithful, he will provide the answers.

A few things I have been left with though is that alot of our sons are "mothered". So many boys are left in this world without basic life skills. All too often parents do so much for their chuildren out of love, but in the end this does more hard than good. We need to bring about a time of not so much "doing" for our children, but more a thing of showing and walking alongside. Instead we dive in and do it ourselves as we are not sure our boys would cope with the tast at hand and would rather have it done right the first time than tried and screwed up. Is failure not part of learning?

What has impressed me the most is fathers true desire to be good men in their sons lives and ultimatemately be good fathers. We keep saying to them: Be the man you wish your son to become". and indeed these dads are doing the best to become that man, even more so to become "King, Priest and Prophet" in their own homes.

A significant side effect of the Experience can be summed up by a verse in Malachi 4 whihc says: "In the end, the hearts of father will be turned to their sons and the hearts of sons to their fathers..."
I saw many hearts turn over the course of the event, and I have been moved ot tears... tears of joy. I got to feel God's heart for us through the hearts of fathers and sons. BLESS THEM!

So... Ver 5 is programmed and ready to roll Dec 2008. What will God bring this time?

If nothing else, it will be a time of our lives.

Daz

In the beginning... Version 1.0

Our first ever Passed Thru Fire Experience occured in April 2007 at a bush camp called Mbabatha's Kraal near Greytown KZN.

Here is a short video whihc shares the heart of the event.

Why the Experience?

A Rite of Passage Experience to lead young Boys onto a path towards Godly and Righteous Manhood is desperately needed in our times…
We, at St. Agnes Church, wish to invite you as Father and Son to attend this experience in the path assigned to young men of this Generation.
We believe that Christian men hold the key to the attributes that transform a boy into a man. We also believe boys are anxious to find that key and be affirmed in their quest for manhood. To this end, we have this unique event, The Passed Thru Fire Experience. It is an event designed for the men of the church to create a rite of passage that will help young teen boys understand and own the real duties and calling of manhood. This event and our involvement in it may just be the start of a boys walk towards manhood, but the results could mean a lifetime of difference for the boys whose lives we are entrusted with. If we, with your help as their father, are successful in our goal of instilling the true measure of manhood during this event, it will make a huge difference in future marriages, families, workplaces and communities.
We can prepare our boys to be men rather than let them stumble around and find out the hard way what it means to wear that title. Can we count on you? We hope so... If the men of the church don’t point our boys towards manhood, who will? Do we really seek a world filled with boy-men? Or do we seek a world led by Godly Men of Integrity, Honour, Righteousness, Courage and a Care for the weak?
In order for manhood to be attained, it must first be defined. To help young boys gain an understanding of what is required to be a true man, not merely an adult male.
We have selected six attributes that typify spiritual and masculine maturity. These include righteousness, integrity, courage, self-control, obedience and caring for the weak. In addition we need to investigate the concepts of loyalty, industry and responsibility to mention just a few, in the process of this major event of a boy’s life.
This event will not make an instant man of your son, but will rather set out a clear roadmap to help him become a man.
You are invited to this opportunity to further affirm our young boys into their calling as Godly men.

CAUTION: This Event contains serious life changing material and activities. If you are not willing to be changed, DO NOT APPLY!

The Passed Thru Fire Attributes

The Passed Thru Fire Experience has been built around 6 Attributes which we ascribe to a Godly man... these are...

Courage:

Courage to Live the Christian Life is an important part of Manhood

Biblical Basis: 1 Corinthians 16:13

“Courage is essential for a Christian man. Courage means that you will be brave enough to stand alone for what is right even if it means you will lose all your friends and face ridicule. It means being able to speak the truth without fear. It means being willing to put yourself in harm’s way, both physically and emotionally, for the sake of God. Are you willing to be a man of courage?”


Righteousness:

Righteousness is about a Godly Man having a right standing with God because of Jesus’ Blood shed for him.

Biblical Basis: Romans 3:20-22; 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16

“The cornerstone of manhood is a real and personal relationship with God. Being a man of righteousness—in right standing with God and man—is the most important part of being a man.
This is something that is not just a one-time decision. You must renew your relationship with God daily and keep clean accounts with your fellow man. Are you, , willing to be a man who loves God with all your heart and will love your neighbor as you love yourself?”


Obedience:

Obedience to God and to those whom he has put in authority is a fundamental duty of Godly Manhood

Biblical Basis: Jeremiah 7:23; Luke 7:1-10; Acts 5:25-29; Romans 13:1-7

“Real men understand authority. We know that we must have God as our final authority.
We know that God has given us wise leaders, and it is our duty to listen to them and, as long as they stay in line with God’s teaching, to obey what they ask. For a short time more, one of the primary vehicles of God’s authority in your life will be your parents, but once you leave home you must still submit to godly authority. Are you willing to bow your will and obey those whom God has given to guide and protect you?”


Integrity:

Integrity because a Real Man lives a life of Honesty, Trustworthiness and Integrity

Biblical Basis: Psalm 15:1-5; Proverbs 12:22; 22:1; Daniel 1:1-17; Matthew 5:37

“Christ calls us to ‘men of our word.’ What comes out of our mouths should be true, our commitments and promises unshakable. We are called to be honest in all that we do and say. Cheating, deception or lying are not the traits of a man of God. Are you, , willing to be a man of integrity?”


Self Control:

Self-control is an essential mark of godly manhood

Biblical Basis: Genesis 39:7-20; Joshua 6:17-19; 7:1, 20-21; 2 Samuel 11:2-5; Proverbs 25:28

“A mark of a real man is self-control. Each man has desires, lusts, appetites and emotions that pull hard at him from time to time. A Christian man says no to those desires if they are the wrong things for the moment. He disciplines his mind and body to do what is right, even if he feels like doing something else. In particular, a man of God must control his sexual desires and actions, he must say no to his flesh. Are you willing to be a man who is self-controlled in both your physical actions and in your emotions?”


Care for the Weak:

Care for the Weak because a Real Man assumes the Obligation to care for and protect the weak and unfortunate.

Biblical Basis: Matthew 25:31-46; 1 John 3:17-18

“The world is full of people whom life seems to have left behind. Some of them are poor, some are unattractive and some just don’t fit in. It is the calling of a Christian man to care for, protect and show love to these people. It will be your job to stand up for the ill fitting person who is being ridiculed by others. It will be your job to protect those who cannot defend themselves. Are you willing to be a man who will love the unlovely and protect the weak?”

PTF Version 4.1 & 5 set to go...

YES we have dates...

Event 4.1 set for 17-20 July 2008. Venue still to be confirmed and is dependant on numbers. The sessions will be covered on the following dates @ St.Agnes Kloof:
1. 10th July 08 - 5pm to 8pm
2. 12th July 08 - 8am to 12pm
3. 15th July 08 - 5pm to 8pm
Please confirm your booking ASAP.

Event 5 is set for 23 to 26 October 08.
Grade 7 boys only (13/14yrs of age)
Venue should to be confirmed.
Bookings is essential as we are limited to 16boys maximum.
Sessions will run for 7 weeks prior at St.Agnes Church in Kloof.

Please contact me should you wish to participate with your son.

Daryl

daryl@passedthrufire.org.za