(See other photos at the end of the following report. Click on photos to enlarge them.)
Pastor
Ryan Peterson served as the main speaker for his yearly Fight Club “kickoff and
recruiting” meeting held on Saturday morning, Sept. 20, 2014, at Grace Church
in Southern Pines, N.C.
“Fight
Clubs” are small groups of men (about 6 to 7 men per group) who meet once a
month for an entire year, Peterson said.
“This
commitment to meet together is a commitment to pray for, love, and challenge each
other to become more like Jesus, the greatest example of a man we have,”
Peterson said. “The Fight Clubs meet to fulfill the vision of ‘training men to be
heroes to their families, leaders in their places of influence, and forceful
men of God, fighting to advance God’s Kingdom.’”
Peterson displays an advertisement placed in a newspaper by Ernest Shackleton.
Peterson
told of Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922), a tough polar explorer who led three
British expeditions to the Antarctic. Shackleton, Irish-born, had no
trouble getting men to volunteer to go with him. Peterson said that men want
challenges and that Jesus told us “the way” will be hard and narrow but will
result in abundant life and peace. He noted that Jesus promises to give
“purpose, identity, and life ‘more abundantly.’”
“Jesus
is the greatest example of manhood we have,” Peterson said, noting that Fight
Clubs involve “men getting around other men.”
“Our
nation can be called a fatherless nation,” Peterson said. “And sometimes those
who are fatherless are inside the home of a male.”
A
leader must first learn to follow, he said, referring to St. Paul’s statement:
“Follow me, as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV).
“God,
show me what being a father looks like, what masculinity looks like,” Peterson
said. He addressed attendees, saying, “When what fathers say and what they do
links up, kids will believe in fathers. Becoming a man looks just more like
Jesus . . . Just because we’re male does not make us men . . . Relationship
with him [Jesus] is going to allow you to be a hero to your family. Fight for
the things that are not seen. You are investors in other men. [We need] men who
are willing to invest in other men and not just into their own bank accounts.” Call
Grace Church at 910-692-6711 for more information.
Hosts:
A.J. Catucci (left) and Spencer Nissly
acted as hosts for the Fight Club kickoff meeting.
Head Cook:
Stephen Payne (pictured above) served
as the amazing head cook for the Fight Club “main event” kickoff.
Pictured are (from left) some of the original Grace Church Fight Club members:
Ryan Peterson, Brad Roback, Jonathan
Thornton, Kim Dierdorff, Noah Reese, and Greg Bailey.
Some attendees soak in the message.
Frank Voelker of Pinebluff loads up on chow at the meeting.
Bobby Craig (left), Grace Church’s production
director, and John Winne break for lunch.
Noah Reese (left) and Greg Bailey (from
original Grace Church Fight Club) share things they have learned.
While waiting for lunch, some men admire an exhibit.
Quinn Dang, Ryan Peterson’s neighbor,
brought a “custom Harley” to the meeting.
Pictured is Ryan Peterson as he preaches at the Fight Club meeting. "Men want
challenges," he said.
Pictured is Ryan Peterson. “The Fight Clubs meet to fulfill the vision of ‘training men to be
heroes to their families, leaders in their places of influence, and forceful
men of God, fighting to advance God’s Kingdom,’” he said.
