PARTNER with us to RESHAPE Communities by reaching MEN
| When you partner with Outdoor Connection Ministries, you’re not just supporting an international discipleship ministry. You’re helping create dynamic resources and management tools that assist churches in reaching men. You’re helping men to become better husbands, fathers, and employees. You’re a part of a ministry dedicated to reshaping communities by empowering men’s ministries in local churches. Let me share with you the vision we believe God has given our ministry. |
“For almost three decades OCM has been tapping into the natural passion men have for the outdoors. Tying together timeless biblical truths with man’s innate desire to be connected, OCM has been reaching men that the church has missed for years. Their new models and resources are helping to lead the way for developing vibrant men’s ministries. I wholeheartedly recommend and commend the ministry of Jim Grassi and James Steiner.”
Rick Kingham
President, National Coalition of Men’s Ministries |
First, we are assisting a growing number of churches in crisis. Today, only 2% of America’s churches are growing from new conversions. Over 80% of our churches are under 200 in size and most have declining memberships. There exists a serious gender gap in America’s pews with over 61% of weekly attendees being women. More than 90% of American men believe in God, five out of six call themselves Christians, but only 2 out of 6 attend church! The divorce rate among Christians is the same as it is in the un-churched world. Did you know that America, with 170 million non-Christians, is now the world’s third largest mission field?
When men come to faith and engage in church, 93% of the time the entire family will start attending. Unfortunately, most churches do not know how to reach or impact men. OCM has proven strategies, resources, tools, models, and messages that resonate with men. Today over two dozen churches that we have helped this past year are experiencing new growth and men who are now engaged with their families and their faith. There is another 180 churches we have met with who are connecting with our resources.
Second, we are regularly expanding our resources and biblical messages to help churches create a renewed vision for empowering the brothers and reaching out to the community. Most pastors feel unprepared and ill-equipped to develop strategies to help men pray, plan, and execute creative ministries to men. For 27 years OCM has stood beside pastors and provided the innovative resources and best practices that enable them to develop a vision and a plan for effective men’s programs. This year alone we provided two major pastors conferences that have assisted over 120 church leaders. And our web-based library for our engaged churches gives pastors and men’s ministry leaders easy assess to these unique resources.
Third, we are building several strategic alliances that are multiplying our contacts and efforts to reach churches and men with critical needs. We are working closely with the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries, Iron Sharpens Iron, and denominational conferences to provide exciting men’s programs and allow us to “train the trainers”. With your support, this coming year we will have expanded conference opportunities in Tri Cities, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; Reno, Nevada; Spokane, Washington; and Post Falls, Idaho.
According to our latest information, OCM is one of the most experienced men’s organizations in the country and ranks fifth out of almost 100 men’s organizations over-all for resources provided, demonstrated leadership, and curriculum development. You can be confident that your partnership with OCM will have maximum impact.
Fourth, we want to serve you as you seek to advance God’s work and Christ’s witness. We believe God wants all of us to leave a legacy far beyond our lifetimes. That is why our staff works diligently to develop resources, meet with pastors, counsel individuals, and help restore families. Our website offers weekly devotionals, monthly men’s ministry newsletters, books and tracts that have helped thousands with their personal growth. If you’ve surfed the internet sea and not found a good source for resources and personal inspiration, put a bookmark on www.theoutdoorconnection.org. And we continue to provide leadership and volunteers to our ever popular outdoor programs to the disabled and single-parent families.
Two years ago we started a business leader’s book study called The Gathering. The group soon built up to 25-30 regular community leaders. As James and I helped them through books like Finishing Well, Half Time, Wild at Heart, Man and the Mirror, and The Ultimate Hunt, all but two of these men accepted Jesus has their personal Savior and Lord. This past year tragedy hit this group of guys as God called home one of OCM’s board members and a founder of The Gathering, his son, and four other family members of the group. The solace of the men and their families impacted by the death of so many loved ones was our faith in Christ and the mutual support of one another.
The biblical principles learned from this group have amplified throughout our region. Homes have been changed and a community revival is happening. Today, the model for The Gathering developed by OCM will now be used in several west coast communities.
Once again, because of the generosity and excitement of some individuals about our vision, we are able to match whatever funds you can provide. Will you consider sponsoring a church for $83 a month (or a one-time gift of $1,000) that combined with our matching funds enables us to help pastors across the country see the importance of focusing on their ministry to men? Will you help us coach them to make an even greater impact on their community and world through thriving men’s ministries? A gift of any size will also help us establish the systems we need to reach and support the many churches we desire to equip.
Please prayerfully consider this opportunity and use the enclosed envelope to send whatever size gift you can as soon as possible. Your quick action will help our staff know how many needy churches we can scholarship this coming year. Most of the churches we work with are small to mid-size and don’t have a budget that can support this program. Thank you so much for your prayers and faithfulness. Please send your best gift TODAY!
In His Service,
Jim Grassi, Founder and President
| P.S. - To thank you for your tax-deductible gift of $50 or more, I’d like to send you a copy of Ken Duncan’s excellent photographic work of the Holy Lands titled Where Jesus Walked. |
|
|
If you can send a gift of $1000 or more, we will send you Duncan’s book and Chuck Swindoll’s newest book A Life Well Lived and Scott Stearman’s beautiful bronze finish sculpture titled “A Cup in His Name”. (Consider using these items as gifts.) |
|
|
We
have a number of resources available for your
personal growth in the areas of discipleship
and sharing your faith and we also appreciate
support through attendance at and promotion
of our upcoming events. You can also read about
our monthly ministry activities.
Specific
Financial Needs
- Reprint
books
- Repurpose
current O.C. video
- Produce
training/curriculum
- Web-based
consulting programming and development
- Vocal
talent for audio-taping resources (devotional)
- New
computer for office staff
- Podcast
production and hosting services
- Donated
items for annual fundraising auction (trips,
lodging, restaurant certificates, sports tickets)
Sponsorship
Opportunities
- "Sponsor-a-church"
(undesignated giving)
- Fundraising auction - various sponsorship levels with associated marketing benefits
- Take-a-Kid-Fishing
Program
Resources
(ongoing needs):
- Office
supplies (gift card to Staple's, Office Depot)
- Monthly
faith partner/special giver
- Video
supplies
- Airline
tickets
- Gasoline
for travel (use of corporate gas pumps)
|
