The Hills Church hosts annual Men’s Conference

Men opened up about their struggles, anxieties and vulnerabilities at the Hills Church’s annual Men’s Conference, this past weekend.

With speakers such as Erwin McManus, Bob Goff, Darryl Strawberry and David Bowden, who gave sermons at the conference, the event also included a tailgate party, barbecued food and interactive games.

“David Bowden is an important, influential young minister,” Instructor of Business and Sports Management Wes McKinzie said. “He’s a spoken word poet and has some related ministry, and so he does a lot of traveling—almost like a concert artist would. He discusses topics ranging from evangelism, to the health of the church, to our own personal walk with God. It’s entertaining and convicting at the same time. He tackles some challenging topics in a way that makes you think.”

McKinzie said he was particularly interested in hearing from Darryl Strawberry, who was a major league baseball all-star back in the 80s and 90s.

“He has a checkered past with drug problems and some other issues,” McKinzie said. “He’s had to fight through a lot and so that I think makes his testimony just all the more powerful in terms of how he’s using his experiences to help others to walk with God.”

Kasey Engle, a Hills Church member, said he believes it is important for men to come together and support one another at events such as the Men’s Conference.

“It really shows that we’re there for each other, because a lot of times, it’s easy to feel like you’re alone, that things in the world are only happening to you,” Engle said. “Life’s not perfect, but God’s love perseveres through all, and to come and meet men who have been through things and share your story. Listening to speakers talk about their lives has always impacted me, and I think it impacts a lot of people.”

Engle said he finds the speakers’ willingness and courage to come forward and talk about their experiences inspiring.

“Some people’s lives have been marked by horrible things,” Engle said. “To come out and talk about it and share your story shows a lot of courage and that you’re willing to come out and help somebody else. Even though you’ve struggled with certain things, you can help somebody else by saying, ‘Hey, this happened to me, too.’”

Another member from the Hills Church, Samuel Hoelk, said the Men’s Conference creates an environment where men can safely express themselves.

“A lot of males might know they can talk about their feeling or be vulnerable in church, but they don’t necessarily feel that way,” Hoelk said. “They need an actual space where it’s really safe for them, and I know at the Hills, this Men’s Conference is that place for a lot of people. It kind of was for me. It helped me get to know a lot of the guys there and have a community of men that support me.”

Hoelk said he also believes it is important for men, churches and communities to come together more often to worship with one another.

“I just hope to see this continue to grow,” Hoelk said. “I hope that other churches also have communions like this where you just have people get together to learn and worship together, whether it’s just males, just females or both.”

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