By Aaron Adams
Men’s Ministry 2024
Last year I began doing something that I had never done before. I went on short backpacking trips a couple times in 2023 and am planning for more of those trips in 2024. I had no experience with backpacking and very little knowledge of it to be honest. I grew up camping and have always loved the outdoors, but I had never taken a trip where I had to pack in and out all my supplies. I was unfamiliar with what it would look like, and maybe more importantly, what it would feel like to carry my sleep system, food and water, and other supplies on my back until we found a suitable campsite in the woods. At times it was difficult. At times you questioned how much longer you could go, especially as my back and shoulders would begin to ache. Yet, despite all of that, I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the unknown of backpacking. I fell in love with taking trails I had never been on before, and not knowing exactly where we would camp for the night. I fell in love with doing something that was both physically and mentally challenging. My list could go on and on about the things I fell in love with when it comes to backpacking. Here’s what I loved most. I loved doing it with my dad, brother, and brother-in-law. I loved getting to do something hard with a few other men. I loved that we got to “figure it out” together. There is something intrinsically peaceful about a hard day’s work of hiking and then getting to the place where you’ll make camp for the night and sitting around the campfire together sharing stories about life. Let me tell ya, those freeze-dried meals couldn’t have tasted any better either!
As men we’re supposed to do, and go through, hard things together, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I’m excited for Men’s Ministry at Mount Carmel in 2024. A few weeks ago, we held our first Men’s Gathering of the year. It was a relaxed evening where we ate some amazing food, men of all ages gathered to sit together, share stories about life and family, laugh together, and encourage one another. I’m excited for more of that in 2024. Our Men’s Ministry team is working hard to create more of those opportunities. Whether it’s a social gathering, a bible study, or we’re hitting the trails together, I’m excited for the challenge and the relationships we’ll build this year.
If you’re a Mount Carmel man, I invite you to join me in men’s ministry this year. Keep an eye for our Men’s Gatherings. We like to eat brisket! Keep an eye out for our men’s studies. We’re starting a new men’s group on February 28th. It’ll be a five-week study on the book of James, specific to men. I hope you can join me for that! Keep an eye out for the trips and events. Whether it’s game nights, a day of hiking, camping trips, and whatever else we dive into this year. Let’s do this together. We’re meant for it.
Let’s get it,
Aaron Adams
