Florida Men of Integrity

Welcome to Florida Men of Integrity’s first online monthly newsletter. We hope that the information provided will be useful and demonstrate FMI’s commitment to excellence in ministry.

The mission of Florida Men of Integrity is to encourage and support pastors, men’s ministry leaders and denominational leaders in equipping men to become godly husbands, fathers and men of integrity in the home, workplace and community. The vision of FMI is to see a disciple-making ministry for men in every willing church in the State of Florida. In other words, FMI’s customer is the local church.

FMI is the field ministry for the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries in Florida. The National Coalition of Men's Ministries is a partnership of over 75 men's organizations, both independent and denominationally affiliated. Our objective is to advance men's ministries, to assist in the discipleship of Christian men, and to help spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all men.

The National Coalition of Men’s Ministries (NCMM) is an organization that is uniquely postured to help equip the local church for ministry to men like never before. This dynamic organization is an unprecedented collaboration of over 20 denominations, representing more than 200,000 churches, and most of the para-church men’s ministries in the United States. This Christian men’s movement began in 1996 with the belief that what we can do together is better than what we can do alone for The Kingdom. FMI partners with all of the NCMM members and many other state and regional ministries in a collaborative effort to build men of integrity, and ultimately, The Kingdom of God here in Florida.

The NCMM goal is to assist the local church in reaching men, to encourage them to pursue God and ultimately help the local church equip their men for spiritual service in their home, church, workplace, community and world. Never before has there been so many diverse organizations working together and pooling resources for a common purpose. It is part of the next wave in what is obviously a national awakening of ministry to men in America and ultimately around the world. As the field ministry for NCMM, FMI facilitates the Christian men’s movement and ministry for men in Florida.

The men of FMI are mostly volunteers who serve local churches and denominational leaders by providing information, training and resources for local churches and denominational leaders in support their efforts to reach and disciple men for Jesus Christ. However, FMI does currently have four full-time representatives and another on the way.

In order to better serve local churches and denominations, FMI is expanding the scope and depth of the ministry, and has raised the standard for participation in the field ministry. The scope of the field ministry has expanded with the addition of the chaplaincy program, nationally-advertised men’s conferences, and new ministry partnerships. The depth of the ministry has increased with the addition of ten new field representatives over the past year, including an events coordinator and webmaster. With the population of Florida growing at a rapid rate, FMI is recruiting, training, empowering and releasing men into the field as fast as we can. Even with these efforts, the men of FMI are spread too thin. FMI is looking for additional godly men of integrity to support men’s ministry in their local churches.

We hope this gives you a feel for whose we are, what we are about, and where we are in the scheme of what God is doing in Florida. Fasten your seatbelts, we believe that Florida is on the verge of a spiritual awakening and revival that will rock America, and that FMI is just one of the ministries God is using to bring this about. What an honor it is for FMI to be a part of what God is doing in Florida.

FMI/ISI Conferences

FMI is a charter member of Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conference Network. FMI is partnering with four churches over the next 13 months to bring four conferences to Florida beginning this October 21^st at Community Life Center in Port Charlotte. FMI will sponsor three Iron Sharpens Iron Conferences in 2007.

The 2007 conferences will be held at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola on April 21^st, at Grace United Methodist Church in Gainesville on October 13^th, and at a location yet to be confirmed in West Palm Beach on September 22^nd.

Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are designed to help the local church build their ministries for men. The ISI Conferences are equipping conferences as opposed to catalytic events, such as Promise Keepers conferences. All ISI conferences are one-day conferences with two main sessions and 16 breakout seminars. High standards have been established for the conferences across America to guarantee value and quality.

The first Iron Sharpens Iron Conference at Community Life Center in Port Charlotte will feature Rev. Dale Schlafer and Jose Ortiz are main session speakers. All of the 16 breakout sessions are different and will appeal to men ages 13-99. Rev. Art Hallet will lead praise and worship at the conferencence.

For detailed information about the conference, or to register online, go to FMI’s website at www.floridamenofintegrity.org. By October the national website for the Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences will be up and running at www.ironsharpensiron.net.

The Iron Sharpens Iron Conferences will provide a venue for many exhibitors representing a variety of ministries and other organizations of interest to men. All of the main sessions and breakout seminar sessions at the Florida ISI Conferences will be taped and available onsite for purchase before each conference has ended. Special optional training sessions will be offered at the conference church on the Friday afternoon before each conference. Information about these training sessions are online at the FMI website. Also at the website are suggestions for churches on how they may use the conference to build their ministries for men.

FMI Now Has an Events Coordinator!

David Dusek of Sarasota joined the staff of FMI in August. He is a graduate of “Equipping the 70s” discipleship program and of The Leadership Training Center with Man in the Mirror. David is a father of five and a devoted husband to his wife, Joni. He and his family attend The Tabernacle in Sarasota. David directs the men’s ministry at The Tabernacle.

FMI Now Has New Webmasters!

John Delaney has considerable experience with computers and ministry to men. He is President of Integrity Technology Group LLC and a business & personal development trainer and consultant. John attends Christ United Methodist Church in Venice. He is currently serving as Chair of Family Ministries and will begin two years of service as Chair of Church Council. John is a PK Ambassador and Area Representative for FMI.

John Delaney

Bob Whitehead has considerable experience with computers and ministry to men. He attends Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola. Bob is a PK Ambassador and Area Representative for FMI.

Bob Whitehead

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. —Galatians 6:9-10
Featured Verse, September 21, One-Year Bible
Read through the Bible in 2006 with Man in the Mirror!
Go to http://www.maninthemirror.org/biblestudy/biblein1year.htm

Takes Next Step

The preview site for disciplemen.com is geared up and ready for you! Check out www.disciplemen.com to get the latest scoop on the development. Check it weekly for poll questions and quotes on discipleship. Want more? Register for The Insider's Update e-mail.

The first component – e-Sherpa, an e-mail coaching system – is due to be operational by...Well, go to www.disciplemen.com and find out!

Men (Not) At Work

According to the New York Times, about 13 percent of American men between 30 and 55 are not working. Many of these are former blue-collar workers. They have experienced the loss of a career and the sense that their work is valued. Many of these men are unsure of how or whether to reenter the work force. Is your church prepared to reach these men? Learn more by clicking here.

Get Wild This Christmas with Books for $1

Man in the Mirror is proud to announce three new titles for the 2006 Christmas Book Giveaway: Wild at Heart, Devotions for Couples and 12 Ordinary Men. For more ideas on how to use Books for $1 in your church’s ministry, or to order, click here.

Can’t wait ‘til Christmas??? We can’t think of a better way to get men’s groups started this Fall than with Books for $1 from Man in the Mirror. Click here to order.

Cross-Country Connections

Would you like to connect more with the men in your region? Contact Bob Keiderling at 800-929-2536 to find out how you can make this happen.

Ministry Spotlight: Legacy Outfitters

Legacy Outfitters brings together men who share a passion for the outdoors. Legacy meetings and events are carefully designed to shape men for God’s glory into being better men in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in a golf course clubhouse or at a creek side campground, lifelong friendships are forged as men connect with one another on a meaningful level.

For more information contact the Legacy Outfitters National Headquarters in Waco, Texas by email: info@legacyoutfitters.org or phone at 254-399-9992.

Are You an “Extreme Commuter”?

Nearly 10 million people now drive more than an hour to work, up 50 percent from 1990. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 3.4 million “extreme commuters” travel 90 minutes or longer to work, one-way, making them the fastest-growing group of commuters. All those hours in the car leave little time for family and community – sacrifices many are willing to make in return for cheaper housing in quieter neighborhoods. Newsweek, May 1, 2006.

How are you using your commute? Develop a deeper life with God in your car with Drive Time Bible Study Kits! Available for Dads, Husbands and the Spiritual Disciplines. Each kit includes 18 Bible Studies taught by Patrick Morley and the Man in the Mirror faculty- over 10 hours of content! Click here to learn more, click here.

Success to Significance Luncheon and Workshop

LifeWay and Leadership Network are launching a multi-city nationwide tour with the simple goal of casting a vision for church leaders to reach the greatest untapped resource that sits in front of them every Sunday. Those resources are Halftimers, marketplace leaders and individuals with experiences, gifts, and callings to serve God.

Join Lloyd Reeb, author of Success to Significance, at this free luncheon for pastors and leaders interested in learning how to discover and deploy leadership that already exists.

Following the luncheon is an optional Success to Significance Workshop, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. http://www.successtosignificance.com.

We want to stand with you in the battle for your soul. Over 927 people from 26 countries are part of our 24/7 prayer ministry. What are you asking God to do in your life and your ministry right now? Email your ministry prayer requests to prayer@maninthemirror.org and we will pray for you! We would love to know who we are praying for, so please include your city, state, and country in your email.

Want to pray for leaders who are discipling men? Click here to learn how to join the prayer team.