Faith Today - May/June 2016

QUESTION &

ANSWER

9,000+

NUMBER OF MEN WHO ATTENDED PROMISE KEEPERS CANADA FEARLESS AND GREATER CONFERENCES IN 2015

Promise Keepers ( www.promisekeepers.ca)

is an affiliate of the EFC ( www.theEFC.ca/ affiliates). Find more Q&As at www.faithtoday.ca/ QandA.

What is at the heart of the mission of Promise Keepers Canada?

Our mission is to ignite and equip men to have a godly impact. There are so many stories of men who are having a negative impact in the world, and we want to help change that. We believe this happens best through helping men become, grow and live as disciples of Jesus.

How do you view Promise Keepers Canada’s role in the Canadian Church?

Studies show men are significantly disconnected in matters of faith and the Church. Many of the young people whose testimonies were included in Hemorrhaging Faith

( www.hemorrhagingfaith.com)

referred to the reality that Dad was
not serious about Jesus, and so why
should they be? Our role is to come
alongside local churches and be a
support in their efforts to reach and
disciple men. When men are grow-
ing in their walk with Jesus, the
impact is felt in families, work-
places, churches and communities.

Statistically, if you reach men, you have a greater chance of reaching the whole family.

Do you see common particular challenges today facing Canadian Christian men?

How do I even begin to answer this question? Men are facing issues of how to define success and failure.

They face incredible fears that will
often paralyze them. They feel
overwhelmed with their time as
they look to be good fathers and
husbands while handling a world
that demands they always be avail-
able for work. You can add to these
realities the issues of sexual temp-
tations, financial uncertainties,
depression, anger, health concerns
in an aging population and isola-
tion. At the heart of all these issues
is a lack of a clear vision of what it
means to be a godly man and a
confusion about what our identity
really is in Jesus Christ.

How do you care for yourself as a leader?

I try to start with rest. In planning my year I schedule my seasons of rest before I schedule my work.

This is backwards in our culture where we often start with work and try to figure out when we will rest.

Beyond that I have a variety of different outlets to play, connect with people who don’t need me to lead them, and relationships with peers who help me process life as a leader.

I also have a personal prayer team who serve me through prayer.

What is your top leadership advice for emerging leaders?

I actually have two pieces of advice.

First, learn to abide in Jesus. Grow in this area of your life. Jesus said we can do “nothing” apart from Him.

Leaders always want results and the word “nothing” gets my attention as to what’s most important. Second, seek first the Kingdom of God. This sounds easier than it is. As leaders, we need to live like we really believe God’s Kingdom is more important than our own organizations.

What books are on your nightstand right now?

The Valley of Vision – A Collection of Puritan Prayers (Banner of Truth,

1975), Why Are Women More Religious Than Men? (Oxford University Press, 2012) and Mission Drift (Baker Publishing Group, 2014). /FT

Kirk Giles is the president of Promise Keepers Canada, an organization whose vision is to “Leave no man behind: To see every man become, grow, and live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.”