No, I did not make a marriage proposal to my wife (we have been married for 26 years), however I have continued the tradition of writing New Year’s Letters to my family.
For my son and three daughters, I take the time to reflect on the past year, how much they have matured and what characteristic or quality I admire most for each child. In the letter, I encourage them and speak positive words into their lives, and end by letting them know how much I love them and how much God loves them as well. For my wife, I take the time to reflect on our year and let her know what she means to me. All in all, I try to hear what messages God wants me to speak into their lives.
You would be surprised how powerful written words can be, and how much your children -regardless of their ages- really long to hear and read words from the important men in their lives.
Gentlemen, our kids and young people that we mentor and influence need to not only hear, but see our written words. (Personally, I have found at times that it is easier to write than to speak.) Furthermore, the written word can really speak to someone, and it will be around when they are ready to hear it.
If you feel that you can’t write or you don’t have the greatest grammar skills, get someone to help you or consider a video or audio recording. But really, you just need to speak from the heart and the Lord will help you. (Trust me, your kids won’t be marking you on spelling and grammar…) If you’ve been present with your loved ones, you will know what to say. If you haven’t, well this could be an opportunity to begin 2025 on the right foot.
So then, what is this “Engagement” idea found in the title? Well, it relates with this tradition of mine of writing New Year’s letters to connect and engage with those around us.
On a larger level, this year as your National Men’s Director our focus is about forming alliances, flowing from our Retreat theme “Divine and Dynamic Connections” (see our 2024 Men’s Retreat Newsletter).
Our 2025 goal:
Fostering a culture of engagement: Men working to build alliances with our youth
The vision of Men’s Ministry in Eastern Canada runs deeper than events and fellowship -although these are important pieces of our foundation. Yes, we want a vibrant and functioning Men’s Ministry in every local church, but the purpose of this ministry is to deeply inspire our men to engage with their boys and young men (specifically) and youth in general.
Passport 2 Purity & Rite of Passages, Ceremonies, and Mentorship are four targeted areas of engagement that I wish to strongly promote during the 2025 year. I will be having two online training sessions Saturday February 22 for Passport 2 Purity & Rites of Passages and Saturday April 26 on the idea of Ceremonies. Local Leaders, Team Members and anyone interested may attend.
In the meantime, I would like to invite you to engage with your family or someone you mentor by writing to them a New Year’s Letter this week. (I would love for you to share your experiences and let us know what happens.)
On behalf of the National Team we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year, and may God bless and keep you and your families during 2025.
Israel Harriott
Men’s Ministry Director, COGOP Eastern Canada
Please feel free to email us and share your comments and thoughts!
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