Mighy Men

They may not be as famous as the Promise Keepers, but for a group of Odessa men, the goal is the same: strengthen men’s leadership in church, at home and in the community.
   “This world has so many issues, and if we are going to see progress and success, men need to stand up and rise to the occasion,” Mighty Men member and guest speaker Arvin Medlock said.
   Medlock spoke at a regular morning breakfast event last Saturday for the Mighty Men organization and said he will attend a three-day conference starting Thursday geared toward helping men become stronger leaders and walk stronger in their Christian faith. The conference schedule includes five speakers who will talk about strengthening men for the task of reforming the community and keeping their families together.
   “It’s really a unity thing. I believe it’s key for us to have success,” he said.
   Each person has a purpose, Medlock said. It’s ultimately how people fulfill that purpose that determines the sense of joy in a person’s life.
   For Mighty Men conference host and organizer the Rev. Strauss McCreary, the conference is important to help people of all ages learn to become strong men of God. He said starting early is important.
   “Early training provides a foundation for coming back to even after straying. It imparts truth,” McCreary said.
   He said he believes it’s important to take what is learned from the conference out into the community itself, effectively bringing “dignity, honor and respect” back into everyday actions.
   “Standing firm for God, we can be powerful and very effective,” McCreary said.
   He said the conference started in 2007 and was held at the MCM Grand￩ Hotel FunDome that year. This year it is scheduled for Greater Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 2121 E. Ninth St., and is based on the Bible verse 1 Chronicles 11:10, a verse that speaks of “mighty men” supporting David’s kingship in Israel. The focus on becoming strong men of God is something McCreary said is needed just as much today.
   “This is a message targeting boys and adults from all walks of life. We all need this truth,” he said.
   McCreary said the Mighty Men movement has grown since that first conference, resulting in those periodic Saturday morning breakfast meetings and now a weekly Bible study as well. He said people from different ethnic backgrounds are coming to the events, and he expects even more for this year’s conference.
   He estimates roughly 100 attended last year’s event, a number that could jump to around 150 this time around as word spreads. That’s even with a $10 registration fee at the door.
   At the same time, the speakers include religious leaders from Odessa and even some from Borger and Lubbock.
   “Something like this is important for here because we understand what’s going on in our area, the needs of this region,” McCreary said. “This event will help men take up the challenges we face in the Permian Basin.”

Mighty Men’s Conference
   >> The third annual Mighty Men’s conference is scheduled Thursday, Friday and Oct. 24 at Greater Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 2121 E. Ninth St. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with a longer schedule starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 24. Registration costs $10 on site.
   >> The conference is designed to help men of all ages learn to become stronger in their faith and take on leadership roles at home and the community.
   >> Call: 853-8058.