Wisconsin District News

1. Biggest Buck (Points and Outside spread)
2. Biggest Doe (Weight)

Rules: All harvested animals must be taken in the State of Wisconsin under fair chase conditions in accordance with WI DNR regulations.

Please submit photos to Rev. Tim Peters by email: timothyapeters@hotmail.com by January 31, 2011

Pictures must contain: Your name, Church name and Telephone number along with- Buck = Rack w/outside measurement (In other words hold a tape measure across rack so we can verify measurement) Doe= Doe on scale with weight.

Winners will receive paid registration to Men’s Conference 2011 and will be presented with a trophy at the conference.

Splashdown is a book for men and in this day and age of wishy-washiness, it is wonderful to be able to say that it can only be described as manly. This is a book that needs to be on your Father’s Day gift buying list for the men in your life you love, respect or want to be saved.

Brother John Wolfram, a Wisconsin boy made good, has written his story. He starts out in Fort Atkinson in a disfunctional family and then joins the military and makes the cut for SEAL (Navy Special Forces) training.

Much of the book covers the training and the making of a special forces underwater operative. The descriptions of the constantly wet and tired life of a trainee SEAL is colorful enough that you feel like you’ve gone through it with him. (And being the son of a Navy Chief who trained extensively in the martial arts and sea kayaking back when I was young and foolish, I can vouch for the accuracy of a good portion of what Bro. Wolfram writes).

While Bro. Wolfram served two tours in Vietnam, the most fascinating, and timely, part of his story, to me, was his role in the recovery of the Apollo astronauts after their capsule landed in the ocean. This year is the fortieth anniversary of the Apollo moon landing and one of our own was there to welcome Neil, Buzz and Michael back from the heavens.

Splashdown concludes with the story of how one of America’s finest fighting men was conscripted into the army of the Lord. The subtitle of the book is “The Rescue of a Navy Frogman” and the book makes an unappologetic dive into the plan of salvation and how even the manliest of men need Jesus in their lives.

The book is available from Bro. Wolfram’s website: john wolfram.org

Highly recommended. I’ll be buying this book for the men of the Dodgeville congregation.

Pastor Simon Chappell
WDN Editor

(A Man’s Ministry)

My dad had a saying that his grandpa told him, that I have heard him repeat numerous times during my life; it is actually an old African proverb that says when an elder dies a library burns. Please understand that I am not speaking of a place where books are kept and documents are stored, but rather that the experiences and wisdom of a person’s life pass away with them when they die; That should not be the case for a child of God.

In the book of John there is a unique passage and the writer tells us that if everything that Jesus had done were to written down in books that the whole world would not be able to contain the volumes that should be written; (John 21:25). Every one of us as children of God can look at the few things that we know about of the miracles of Jesus and our faith soars; yet there are many other things that Jesus is still doing in us that should cause the faith of the people that we live with to soar as well. Paul told the church in Corinth that they (as well as we) are epistles known and read by all men. People are watching and reading us; what are we doing with the books that God is writing into our lives.

As a husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, assistant pastor, or any other role I play as a man in my world there are my testimonies and experiences. Am I keeping them stored on dusty shelves and kept in a safe controlled environment so that none of my books will be damaged by the way that I live or by the people I meet? Oh that God would give a library card to the books on my shelves to any one who asks; send them this way Lord and give me the courage to give myself away. To my wife, my kids, and the lost that Jesus is reaching out to, through me.

My dad passed on a few months back and I tell people that because of his role model as a man and a father I was able to easily believe and trust in a heavenly father. On the day of his memorial I had numerous people come and tell me wonderful stories about my dad that I was unaware of. One gentleman came to me and told me that as a boy his own dad was not a good man, but that my dad taught this boy how to hunt and fish and at the memorial that day told me how much all that meant to him now that he was a man with his own son. I can not tell you how much my father has impacted my life because he was willing to give bits of himself away to his two sons and other people as well.

When a child of God passes on to glory let it be that there is only a shell of a library left and that every bit of blessing, testimony, experience and grace has been given away to others. God has given you things and taken you through valleys and mountains that He has not taken anyone else, give that testimony away. God is confident in you and your ability to do a work for Him. I believe that if Jesus were to walk in on a conversation between you and I, He would encourage us and give a little more of Himself to us; lets do the same for the others that He loves.

Report submitted by Brother Frank Ritchie
Section 4 WDN Representative

Aug. 1st Friday morning at 8am – a small group of men met at the campgrounds Brother Jimmy Ogle led us in a great time of prayer, asking God to move and equip the men of Wisconsin for a meaningful spiritual adventure.

About 40 men played golf, and the tournament was won by a 4some from the Green Bay church, as they turned in a score card of 5 under par. Other winnings were awarded for the longest drive, longest put, closest to the pin, and most balls in the water.

We regrouped at the campgrounds at 6:30pm for more prayer, and church started at 7:00pm. Brother Rob Jadrnicek led the men in powerful worship – nothing like hearing a large group of men singing and worshiping together – it was awesome! Brother Mike Williams (President of UPCI’s Apostolic Men) preached, referring to Noah, that there is life after the flood. Great Life…

Bro. Mike Williams

After the service we enjoyed pizza in the cafeteria, and much fellowship followed.

Saturday morning we met early for prayer, ate breakfast, and then Brother Andy Vik led us in worship – again the power of God moved in mightily, as our Wisconsin Men lifted up their voices and sang with strength and power.

Bart Stamper moved into his own powerful story of deliverance from a life addicted to pornography. He offered practical helps (www.covenanteyes.com software program & the book Every Man’s Battle) and spiritual strength to fight this … a great time of prayer followed.

Bro. Bart Stamper

We enjoyed a conversation about this subject with Brother’s J. Putnam, E. Kaske, A. Tamel, & R. Grant, along with others that spoke out from the audience. Much wisdom and practical insight was given. Brother Mike Williams preached a wonderful closing message to tell us that “IT IS TIME” – time for God to move – time for Men to expect the Miraculous – when the world is at its worst, you can expect God to move and for God’s people to win a great victory – truly it is time…

We finished with more food…good food and great fellowship, leaving with anticipation high towards next year when we can get together again with the great men of Wisconsin. Brother Lee Stoneking has already made plans to be here with us next year…

~ living for God has always been the greatest of adventures. ~

It is Time…for the men of Wisconsin to move forward and begin to “Live the Adventure”

Report submitted by Pastor Steve Rogers, Milwaukee.
Pictures by Pastor Chappell, Dodgeville

“Even with beards, the disciples, all, looked kinda … (soft)” … (they used a different word) This was the overwhelming agreement of the small group of homeless men that I was talking with this morning. This was a result of the variety of pictures that, over time, we had seen. None of us could put our finger on exactly why … but this was the overall feeling that we all came away with.

I think it is very possible that in the minds of many men (with the exception, of course, of men that currently attend church) that religion … or church … is best left to the women.

This is as tragic as it is unprecedented in human history. It has always been the man that has led the church. However, in 2006, the Church of England reported that just over 50% of all newly ordained priests were woman.

Do you remember or do you know the stories of our ol’ timers like C.P. Kilgore, Finney, Haywood, and Urshan … just to name a few? Both of my grandfathers led their families to the Lord, as well as many others. Our faith and our church was built on the strong backs of hard praying – straight living – straight talking Apostolic Men.

Thank God for the brave men that left their homeland to find a new land. A land that offered religious freedom where they could raise their families. Hardship was overlooked at the prospect of being able to worship God in a way that matched their convictions. But it was a move that was pushed forward by men consumed with the Adventure of Spiritual matters.

Jesus came and offered to make us Fishers of Men … yet most of our churches have nets that capture more woman than they do men … (maybe not yours, of course).

This does not match the Apostolic model. We must equip ourselves to turn this tide around. For us to truly SOAR … for us in Wisconsin to truly have a GLOBAL IMPACT … we must aggressively attack any and every mind set that detracts from the powerful image of Jesus Christ. He is the chief role model and the epitome of man-hood.

Jesus had a following of men and woman – but his focus was on the twelve men … (a little politically incorrect, but take it up with Jesus, not me). If you look at His men, they weren’t twelve limp-wristed, timid, little mealy-mouthed sissified half men … they were, sometimes, more uncouth, self involved, argumentative, a bit bossy, disregarding of children, you know … Men.

Suave and savvy; smartly dressed? Not Peter, but maybe Judas. I think Peter, if he could’ve managed a radio, might’ve listened to the Packer game while he was out there fishing in the buff. I just see him as more of a football guy than a golfer.

These guys were men … they were real men. I dare say they were the image of Apostolic Men … even though the more educated of their society made fun of their lack of education. These are the kind of guys that Jesus picked to turn the world upside down – they were MEN … they were Apostolic men.

This is what our world needs. Our world, our cities, churches and homes, wives and children … they need some strong Apostolic men … men that will take a stand; unafraid of making a mistake, free to be men. Men that are bold enough to heed the call, lead the way, and live for God!

To further this great quest – Wisconsin will not be having a retreat in 2008, because real men don’t retreat, they advance. They stand their ground and fight in order to do what men were created for. We will band together so that we can fight until we are able to advance.

In 2008, we are going to have camp, MEN’S CAMP, and from there we will move forward. Forward is the motto of Wisconsin. While other men may have lost initiative, our Apostolic men, the Apostolic men of the great district of Wisconsin, will take our queue from the God-inspired preaching and teaching of. Mike Williams, and we WILL press forward. Men, get ready for Men’s Camp 2008

“Revival” . revival is already here, and our great men are going to pick it up and carry it forward; forward to places that it has never been before. Get ready for a powerful camp.

Men’s Camp 2008 / August 1st and 2nd – registration available in January of
2008

We cannot Retreat – We must move FORWARD -

We’ll move forward from Men’s Camp 2008

Pastor Steve Rogers
District Men’s Ministry Leader