Our men’s ministry seeks to instruct and empower men to be a Godly influence in their families, the church and the community. The Godly man should become a better husband, father, son and citizen of the church and community. The Godly man should be an encourager, servant leader and minister within his spheres of influence.
To achieve this, we have scheduled a series of unique events throughout the year to help men grow in Christ and connect with one another. We hope that you will join us for these opportunities this year! Details for each event will be announced in our services and on the event page as those events approach.
MEN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR– REV. GREGG KRETSCHMER
The objective of Strong Enough Men’s Ministry is to help men become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ through an annual retreat experience. The name of the ministry is based on 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” The first Strong Enough Men’s Retreat was held in March 2012 and has been at Bethany since 2023. Over 1,000 men have attended a retreat and have become better men for it.
Men from other churches in the southern New England area have been attending Strong Enough Men’s Retreats for years and they have expressed interest in bringing this type of retreat to their congregations as well. Bethany has been the first church to grasp the mission and run with it. God willing, more will follow.
The goals of Strong Enough Men’s Ministry (SEMM) are to strengthen men’s faith in Jesus Christ, offer practical application for biblical principles in their daily lives, provide spiritual renewal, guide them toward “next steps” in becoming fully devoted followers, disciple them to becoming spiritual leaders in their homes, and build community and accountability through lasting friendships.
Men’s Ministry
2025 Calendar
Men’s Call to Action
February 22 - Men’s breakfast - “Godly masculinity” – How do you treat a woman
March 6 – April 3 - Men’s Wake-Up call
April 4-6 - SEMM Retreat – Proverbs – Disciplines of a Godly man
April 26 - SEMM Reunion Breakfast
May 24 - Revo BBQ Event – Calling all men to serve
June 6 – Women’s breakfast – cook and serve
June 25 - Italian Feast - Fund Raiser for SEMM
July - Free month to spend with family
August 10 - Bethany Family Service
September 19 - Men’s BBQ
October 2-30 - Men’s Wake-Up Call
November 8 - Men’s 1-Day Event
December - Free month
Men’s Connect Groups
Connect Groups are designed to be a place for you to connect with others and with God.
Our desire is to see everyone grow UPWARD…in a relationship with Christ.
INWARD…we want everyone to know that God has a plan and a purpose for their life
and that you have a part to play here at Bethany. OUTWARD…we want to be bridge-builders to the people and communities around us by showing God’s love for others in various ways.
We are committed to helping you grow as a disciple of Christ, and Connect Groups help us accomplish just that. We want to help every believer be followers of Christ who are:
-Committed to Knowing -Connected in Growing -Commissioned in Going
The Bethany Men’s Ministry has had a Connect Group specifically geared towards men. The groups are held in the spring and the fall, and they are leading in a topic that is chosen to help men accept the calling placed on by God, to be the priest of their home, their church, their community and their workplace.
Warriors for Christ
Sundays @ 11:00am
The Warriors For Christ program is divided into four separate ten-month study elements. During the process the men will form strong bonds with each other. They will journey from one element into the next, staying together each step of the way. Each plan has a set of five books which are designed to initially form a foundation of Biblical principles. The books selected will also increase each participants knowledge of Biblical manhood, family responsibilities, financial responsibilities, spiritual health, etc., all elements which are fundamental to a man’s spiritual walk. The books are read weekly, ingested throughout the week, discussed in their weekly session, and ultimately enacted upon in their daily walk.
Stage 1 – The Infantrymen
The books of Stage 1 are designed to establish a foundation of faith. This is the men’s introduction into biblical manhood. The books are designed to establish an understanding of biblical principles as well as a basic understanding of what a Godly man looks like.
Stage 2 – The Cavalrymen
The books of Stage 2 are designed to place walls on the support structure built on the foundation of Stage 1. They help the men to develop biblical disciplines in their life and will give guidance in overcoming the temptations they face in their daily walk. The men at this point in the process will begin to understand that they are not the only ones experiencing the struggles of the flesh common to all men.
Stage 3 – The Centurions
The books in Stage 3 are designed to buttress, or reinforce, the structure learned in Stage 2. They also add a leadership element to their walk. We are all called to be leaders in one respect or another, whether it be home, work, church or community.
Stage 4 – The Legionnaires
The books in Stage 4 are designed to place men in a position where they weekly bring biblical principles to defend their opinions and understanding of what it was that they have read from their weekly book assignments. By the time the men enter stage, they should have a solid grasp of the Bible and a solid understanding of how to apply the Bible to their walk, their talk, and also to their decision making. Stage 4 men are expected to be ready to lead any Stage, 1-4, if called upon to do so, and also to assume a leadership role in a ministry of the church they are attending.
The Implements for successful completion of a Stage are as follows:
Stage 1 – The Infantrymen – A King Solomon Sword
Stage 2 – The Cavalrymen – An Armor of God Figure
Stage 3 – The Centurions – A Centurion Helmet
Stage 4 – The Legionnaires – A Study Bible (version of their choosing) and a Gal. 2:20 Ring
After successfully completing each stage of the process, a Warrior will be celebrated with a ceremony held at a Sunday afternoon banquet. They will be awarded the implement of the Stage they were enrolled in and successfully completed and their success will be celebrated by their family, their brothers and their pastors.
Let it be noted that if, for whatever reason, a candidate has not successfully completed their Stage requirements, they will be afforded the opportunity to go through a second time. This should never be viewed as a failure. The goal should always be the end result, which is us becoming the men that God that He has called us to be, mirror images of His Son, Our Lord and Our Savior, Jesus Christ.