By Neil Lewis, AFCU Membership Coordinator.
We all experience different seasons in our journey through life. Spiritually, these seasons often shape how we seek wisdom and grow in our walk with our triune God. Since being commissioned at The Gathering men’s event earlier this year to lead the Men’s Ministry, I have found myself in a season of exploring more deeply the nature and attributes of God. Our men’s fellowship group at my local church has been meeting every Saturday morning for the last eight months as we read and discuss Holiness by J. C. Ryle.
“…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,” 1 Peter 1:15 ESV
With so many important areas to focus on within Men’s Ministry, why holiness?
As members of the Armed Forces, we are often drawn to themes that are familiar to us: the weapons of our warfare (2 Corinthians 10), spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6), and the good warfare (1 Timothy 1), among many other military connections. But when was the last time we truly desired to know more about the One who leads us in this spiritual battle, and how we should conduct ourselves as Christians in the service of King Jesus Christ? What we do in secret is just as important as how we conduct ourselves in public.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 ESV
Faced with these questions, my prayer has been centred on how to lead the Men’s Ministry through this season. Should our focus be on the sinful temptations that beset Christian men in the Armed Forces, listed in Galatians 5:16-21, with its solemn warning, or should our focus be on a growing desire to know and reflect the attributes of our triune God? The enemy works against the Church of Jesus Christ, often causing division through an ever-changing range of distractions that draw our hearts away from God. Therefore, as men of God called to be holy, let us fix our hearts on the One who is unchanging: holy, omnipresent, omniscient, sovereign, gracious, merciful, and loving.
“Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD…” Hosea 6:3 ESV
As Membership Coordinator, I have the privilege of visiting our Christian members who have shared life experiences that are both traumatic and deeply encouraging. The Men’s Ministry exists to advance God’s Kingdom through the Armed Forces by raising up Christian men who lead, disciple, and serve others through fellowship, discipleship, and prayer. We seek to enable, equip, and encourage men to lead together, reach out with the Gospel, and walk together as brothers in Christ.
Growth in holiness was never intended to be pursued alone. God gives us fellowship where brothers in Christ encourage one another, pray together, speak truth in love, and provide accountability in grace. As we walk alongside one another, we help each other press on in faithful obedience to Christ. We can only advance God’s Kingdom together with clean hands and a pure heart, for without holiness we cannot rightly see God’s purposes for our lives. As Christian men, we have been called to be holy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 ESV
The Men’s Ministry delivers two in-person events each year: the Men’s Weekend (January), held at Beckett House, Defence Academy, and The Gathering (June), held in a field near Swindon, delivered by Christian Vision for Men (CVM). The ministry is governed by a Steering Group, a team of Christian men who are called to pray faithfully and seek God’s leading in advancing this ministry for His glory.
We also have the privilege of confirming the speaker for our next Men’s Weekend, Christian author and brother in Christ, Tristan Stevenson-Coulshaw (ex RLC). The working title for the weekend is Made Ready in the Fear of the LORD, preparing the Bride of Christ for His return. This will be an excellent opportunity for worship, prayer, fellowship, and discipleship. We encourage you to personally invite a friend or colleague who has not previously attended a Men’s Weekend.
The Men’s Weekend is open to bookings now, book now. The event will run from 5:00pm Friday 29th January until 2:00pm Sunday 31st January 2027 at Beckett House, Defence Academy, SN6 8LA.
To secure your place at the Men’s Weekend 2027 and to avoid missing out, book in today!
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Proverbs 9:10 ESV
As you read this article, we would value your prayers for the following:
• Please pray for the Men’s Ministry Steering Group to be faithfully led by God.
• Please pray for the Men’s Weekend event, 29th-31st January 2027. • Please pray that Christian men would be united in heart to fear God, to pursue holiness in all their conduct, and to become the men Christ Jesus has called them to be in Him.
• Please pray for men to be raised up to lead and disciple small fellowship groups across the Armed Forces.
As Membership Coordinator, it is a privilege to serve our members. One of the greatest blessings of this role is visiting members, hearing how God is at work in our lives, and encouraging members in their walk with Christ. If you would like to connect, seek prayer, study God’s word, or enjoy fellowship together, please do get in touch –NeilLewis@afcu.org.uk – I am now in post and would be delighted to meet with you. As we pursue holiness and faithfulness to Christ, let us continue to encourage one another and walk together in His grace for His glory.